I’m a big fan of vintage style. And I love decorating with vintage containers. I use them in my garden and in my home. Let me show you a few ways you can use vintage containers in your decor as well.
With the weather turning cooler, the gardening season is winding down. But I’m still using vintage containers in my garden. They’re a great way to show off your autumn displays. Here are a few examples of how to put your vintage containers to good use.
Let the summer displays fade gracefully, like this chicken watering container filled with succulents.
Related: Using Vintage Containers in Your Garden
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You can also create autumn vignettes using branches and pumpkins in various containers such as this vintage watering can.
This red painted metal basket, while not a truly old container, works great as a gathering basket for hydrangeas, sunflowers, leaves and branches. Olive buckets are so popular right now that they’re easy to find.
This vintage ironing board isn’t a container, but it shows off the autumn colors and bird nest displayed in my garden shed.
And of course I love to use vintage picnic baskets like this one, which are holding blankets for porch sitting.
Related: 7 Ways to use Vintage Picnic Baskets
I also use vintage containers in my home to create festive autumn displays. I enjoy finding containers that can hold flowers, twigs, feathers and stems. For example, I have 2 different vintage wooden tool boxes in use.
This tool caddy is holding an eclectic mix of autumn decor.
I also use vintage luggage for showing off displays. For example, I loaded this suitcase with squash harvested from the garden… butternut, potimarron squash, and pumpkins.
Old crocks and pitchers are a great way to show off autumn branches, either real or faux, wheat bundles and feathers.
Enamelware bowls can hold seasonal fruits like these apples that I picked at our cabin.
Other Vintage Containers to Use in Your Autumn Decor…
- Old teapots
- Milk glass
- Vintage buckets
- Dishware of all kinds
- Vintage picnic baskets
- Ball jars
- Tin containers
- Thermoses
- Old bottles
- Soda boxes
- Enamelware
3 Tips for Decorating with Vintage Containers…
Rotate Your Containers
Most of us don’t have the room to use all of our vintage containers at once. So instead rotate your containers between seasons. This allows you to enjoy them without being overwhelmed by too many pieces.
Find a good place to stash your containers. Then when you’re decorating for the season, take a look at what you have. I often forget what I’ve stored if I don’t go through my stash periodically. You could also keep an inventory of what you have and where it’s kept to remind yourself of your treasures.
Create Themes
To maintain some cohesiveness in your home, consider decorating in themes. For example, during the summer, I might use my vintage garden supplies such as tools, buckets, and baskets. In the autumn, I like to focus on containers that might reflect the harvest season, such as crocks and vintage canning jars. In the spring I might use vintage soup tureens to hold bird nests, branches and eggs.
It’s fairly simple to create vignettes when you have a theme to work with. Do you need some ideas to get started? Check out my list of seasonal themes to get some ideas for your vintage style decorating.
If You Don’t Love It, Then Pass It On
To help minimize disorganization and clutter, be sure to keep and use only those items that you truly love. Otherwise, you could end up with piles of things that don’t bring you joy. If you collect so much that you can’t even find items, then maybe it’s time to go through your stash and weed out some items that aren’t your favorites. It’s hard to let go when you love vintage and you know that they’re in short supply. But if it’s just sitting in a box and not being used, then maybe it’s time for a new home.
I hope that you too have a love of vintage containers and can find some beautiful ways to use them in your autumn decor. Or for any season. If you’re just starting out gathering vintage containers, then enjoy the process. Find treasures you love and that can be used for display in your home and garden. Half the fun of owning vintage items is the hunt.
Related: 10 Tips for Finding Vintage Collectibles
Also, don’t be afraid to use your vintage containers. If you’re buying items because you love them, then get them out where you can see and enjoy them. Happy Decorating!
Post Updated: Oct. 5, 2023