34 Charming Vintage and Antique Garden Decor Ideas
Are you looking for ways to add charm and character to your outdoor spaces? With these vintage garden decor ideas, I’ll show you how easy it is to bring new life to your garden.
What I love the most about finding the right vintage thrifted finds for my garden is that every piece tells a great story! Incorporating vintage decor from flea markets, estate sales, antique shops, and thrift stores is a great way to add personality and vintage charm to your garden space.
Whether it’s an old chair or a galvanized bucket, these vintage pieces are fun to mix with your garden flowers and plants.
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What Vintage Cottage Really Means
Vintage cottage is a style that combines the simplicity and coziness of cottage living with the nostalgic charm of vintage decor. It mixes old and new elements that give a sense of timeless character.
An eclectic look in a vintage cottage garden involves creating a mix of complementary items. This style connects to nature and the outdoors, with lush gardens filled with various plants and flowers.
Outdoor spaces are designed to be extensions of indoor living areas, places to spend time outside and enjoy the garden’s natural beauty.
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How Do I Make My Garden Look Vintage?
Creating a vintage cottage garden is about capturing historical charm, warmth, and simplicity.
Quaint garden structures like arbors, trellises, and pergolas, made from wood or metal, support climbing plants and add vertical interest to your garden.
Use a variety of textures and elements with patina to create depth and interest in your vintage garden. Mix and match materials like weathered wood, wrought iron, galvanized metal, and chipped ceramic.
Use whimsical decorative elements like birdhouses, birdbaths, vintage watering cans, and old-fashioned lanterns. These items should feel like they’ve been collected over time, adding layers of interest and storytelling to your garden.
The color palette of a vintage cottage garden typically includes soft, muted tones like pastels, whites, and creams. Look for repurposed furniture such as wrought iron benches, wooden rocking chairs, and old wicker pieces. One of my favorite ways to bring vintage finds to the garden is to find weathered finishes with a bit of rust or chipped paint that add to the charm and character of your garden.
To enhance the vintage feel, grow heirloom and traditional plant varieties such as roses, peonies, lavender, hydrangeas, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage.
Take a look at some of my favorite vintage garden decor ideas.
Vintage and Antique Planters and Containers
Garden antiques, such as rustic planters and containers, can instantly add timeless charm and are a great addition to any garden area.
Look for vintage ceramic pots, garden urns, or flea market finds, such as a rusty old wheelbarrow, that can be repurposed as unique plant containers.
1. Old Galvanized Washtub or Bucket
I can’t even begin to tell you how many vintage galvanized pails, old buckets, and tubs I own. They’re not only in my cottage and cut flower gardens but also inside my home.
SHOP VINTAGE GALVANIZED CONTAINERS
There are so many different ways you can use and style them. Not only do I use them as containers for my annual flowers, but they’re great for when I want to add flowers or vegetables to my cutting garden.
If you are using a galvanized bucket as a garden container, make sure it has drainage holes at the bottom to allow water to drain.
2. Enamel Planters
How amazing is this enamel basin stand? It’s one of my favorite flea market finds, and I’ve found the perfect place for it in my cottage garden.
I also have a few enamel pots that I use for flowers.
3. Whiskey or Wine Barrel
Most of my barrels are half-sized and found around the vintage cottage garden. Their rustic appearance makes these containers a great way to add charm to your flower garden.
This whiskey barrel pictured above is my favorite, though. It’s the only full-sized one I have found, and that was a great deal. The other ones I’ve found in the past have been too expensive.
4. Chicken Feeder
If you’re looking for a vintage chicken feeder, you can usually find one. However, I’ve had issues with them, as they can be beaten up or expensive.
But they make such a great vintage planter, don’t they? You can afford to be picky and wait until you find the perfect one.
5. Vintage Fountain
Wall fountains are a great vintage find, especially if you can find a deal.
This one is always filled with seasonal flowers and greenery, making quite a statement in the garden.
6. Iron Window Box
Iron planter boxes are a must and easy to find when shopping for vintage garden decor, but the deals can be few and far between.
Of course, you can use it traditionally and hang it on your house, but I also place these iron boxes around the garden where I need a planter.
I love the way the lavender looks inside the coconut planter liners.
7. Vintage Style Garden Urn
These antique treasures, detailed designs, and weathered patinas will fill your garden with nostalgia.
They’re perfect for showcasing your favorite flowers or garden plants, adding a touch of timeless charm to make your garden come alive.
Vintage Garden Ornamental Pieces
Explore estate sales, vintage shops, yard sales, and flea markets for enchanting vintage garden ornaments.
These ornamental pieces, such as weathered garden statues, charming bird baths, or whimsical garden gnomes, can be placed throughout your garden to add character and visual interest.
8. Vintage Bird Bath
These charming and classic pieces bring a fabulous focal point and a touch of nature to your outdoor space. With their timeless design and weathered charm, vintage birdbaths create a welcoming oasis for our feathered friends.
9. Rusty Garden Angel
Don’t we all need a rusty, imperfect garden angel in our garden? I don’t think there’s anything else to say.
10. Vintage Garden Statues
A vintage garden statue is a wonderful piece to have in your garden. It adds a sense of history and artistic charm, creating a focal point in your outdoor space.
Rustic Garden Decor
When I spot the perfect rustic garden vintage find, it brightens my day.
Whether it’s a deal on an old bicycle, a perfectly wonderful chippy gate, or old watering cans, it’s always a reason to celebrate!
11. Vintage Bike
I get more compliments on the two vintage bikes in the cottage garden than anything else. They make such a statement and are a conversation starter.
They’re loved even more when I tell people I paid $20 for the bike pictured above and got the black one in the greenhouse garden path for free from a neighbor.
12. Vintage Bike Basket
The perfect garden decor is flowers in a vintage basket on your bike.
13. Rusty Wheelbarrow
If you’re looking for a flower container or want to stack pumpkins for fall decor, a rusty wheelbarrow is the perfect choice.
This is a very special piece to me. My client gifted it to me when he and his wife moved into a senior living community. He knew I would take good care of it.
14. Watering Can
Do you ever have one of those things, certain items that you always want more, no matter how many you buy?
I collect vintage watering cans. If there is a good deal to be had, I buy one, even though I don’t need any more. Most of them have holes in them and won’t hold water.
It’s purely garden decor. You can see how I have several displayed under the garden potting bench.
SHOP FOR GALVANIZED WATERING CANS
15. Iron Gate & Fencing
This is one of those unique pieces I just had to have, and it was reasonably priced.
Iron gates are great to have in the garden to tie tall flowers to so they are supported. But mostly, I love them for the charm they add to any garden bed.
16. Antique Bed Headboard
A vintage headboard can make a unique and charming addition to your garden.
It can be an eye-catching backdrop for a flower bed or a creative trellis for climbing plants, adding character and a touch of whimsy to your outdoor space.
SHOP FOR VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE HEADBOARDS
They’re also a great piece for adding a border to a particular flower bed.
17. Iron Garden Edging Fencing
I love garden edging, especially if it’s a rusty vintage piece.
Iron garden edging fencing helps define garden borders beautifully while adding a touch of character to your vintage cottage garden’s overall charm and structure.
They’re perfect for adding a border, but I love using them as a backdrop in my garden spaces.
18. Picket Fencing
Whether natural wood or white picket fencing, this find can transform a space as soon as you add it to the garden. We found our pieces at the local architectural salvage shop.
19. Vintage Cans or Buckets
My friend found this over-the-top rusty vintage can. Would you call that a can or bucket?
She repurposed it and now has a water fountain for her pond. Be on the lookout for antique pieces that can be transformed into fountains, rustic garden planters, or anything else your imagination can come up with.
Vintage Garden Accessories
One of the easiest items to find is vintage garden accessories. Hunt for vintage tools like rusted garden forks or vintage stools to elevate your decorative garden decor.
Consider repurposing old garden chairs as a whimsical plant stand or using an old bucket as a rustic vase for displaying freshly cut flowers.
20. Birdhouse
When it comes to birdhouses, there are so many different options to choose from.
You can find little birdhouse stakes in planters or bigger ones of old rustic wood. Leave them as they are, or give them a new lease on life with a fresh coat of stain or paint.
21. Milk Can
Vintage rustic milk cans are a perfect garden decor item. As you can see, I haven’t put much effort into this one, but you can add a planter to the top for a quick pick-me-up.
22. Vintage Window
We live in a cottage that was built in 1920. About a year after we moved in, we had to replace all the windows in the house. I kept every last one of them.
Over the years, I’ve found other vintage windows while shopping that were just so unique that I had to buy them. They make a great backdrop for your garden areas.
23. Vintage Garden Tools
Antique and vintage tools, such as old rakes and shovels, are great garden decor items. You can place them among the flowers for added interest.
24. Rusted Garden Fork
I could have combined the garden fork with the vintage tool category, but I use forks differently to hold tall plants, such as my sunflowers.
25. Vintage Metal Stool
I have many vintage metal stools throughout my garden. They can be used as plant stands, places to sit, or a decor piece to admire on a walk around the garden.
I love this orange metal lower stool with rollers. It was one of those unique finds I knew I just HAD to have it. Isn’t it the cutest? It’s my favorite plant stand.
What’s perfect about this piece is that it has holes on the top for the planter water to drain through rather than sitting on the stool with nowhere to go.
26. Old Chair
There’s something to be said for a simple old vintage chair. Each one I display in my garden is unique in its own way. The rustier and chippier they are, the more in love I am with them.
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27. Terra Cotta Pots
I love hunting for old terra cotta posts. I will admit the clay pots I have in the garden are not all vintage, but many of them are, so I mix them.
They look great just sitting in a basket or wooden crate. But my favorite way to display them is over the stakes in my cutting garden.
SHOP FOR VINTAGE TERRA COTTA POTS
28. Wire Basket
Old wire baskets are easy to come by these days. They can show off pretty plants or store your basic gardening items.
29. Vintage Garden Ladder
A vintage ladder can be a versatile and charming addition to your garden, offering functionality and aesthetic appeal. Use one as a plant holder or garden shelf for an extra touch.
Vintage Finds for Garden Spaces
Incorporating vintage treasures into your garden spaces will help you create a charming and whimsical outdoor haven.
There are so many ways you can use these vintage items to add character and bring life to your garden. Just use your imagination.
30. Arbor
Garden arbors are the ultimate statement piece and one of my favorite vintage garden ideas. They feature vibrant flowers and plants wrapped around each other.
31. Trellis
Like arbors, trellises create the same cottage-style vibe with seasonal flowers climbing up them like sweet peas or clematis.
32. Vintage Farm Sink
This vintage farm sink came from our kitchen. We built our new kitchen around it because we loved the look and the fact that it kept the character of our 1920 home.
After several years, we realized that a vintage sink was unrealistic and the upkeep was expensive, so we opted for a reproduction.
Lucky me, I was able to have the sink built into the potting table and love it.
Old sinks can also be used as flower planters in the garden.
Vintage Garden Seating Areas
Another one of my favorite vintage garden decor ideas is seating areas. No cottage garden is complete without a seating area to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor space.
33. Vintage Iron Table and Chair Set
Look for a vintage table and chair set for your garden. Even if they’re not in the best condition, they are easy to fix up and paint.
You can usually find a good deal at garage sales.
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34. Garden Bench
If you’re not using a garden bench to sit your flower planters on, use it as another seating addition along a garden path or in your cut flower garden.
How to Create a Cohesive Vintage Style
Creating a cohesive vintage style in your garden takes planning and an eye for detail.
Before blending vintage pieces into your garden spaces, consider several key factors to ensure a beautifully balanced setting.
Consider Your Garden Color Scheme
Start by choosing a color scheme that reflects the vintage look you want. Vintage gardens typically use soft, muted tones such as pastels, whites, and creams.
These colors blend well with the natural surroundings. A weathered white garden bench or pastel-colored planters can complement the overall aesthetic.
Play With Textures
Incorporate a variety of textures to create depth and interest in your vintage garden.
Mix and match materials like weathered wood, wrought iron, galvanized metal, and chipped ceramic. Pairing a rusted iron garden edging with a wooden picket fence can create a visually appealing contrast that enhances the vintage feel.
Set Up Vignettes
Think of your garden as small, charming scenes or vignettes. This will help break down the space into manageable sections and allow you to focus on creating detailed displays throughout your garden.
Each vignette should tell its own story and highlight specific vintage pieces. For instance, a corner with an antique watering can, a vintage garden statue, and a few heirloom plants can become a beautiful focal point.
My Favorite Vintage Garden Vignettes
Another vintage garden decor idea is to create vignettes throughout your garden spaces. Here are a couple of favorites from my cottage garden.
The Cottage Garden Path to Our Greenhouse
My cottage garden pathway is my very vintage vignette.
A vintage bike with a flower basket is the focal point of this outdoor space. A watering can, and an old galvanized tub flower container is perfect on the brick paver greenhouse patio.
Even the stone path steps are vintage and have been throughout the garden for years.
The white picket fence also added vintage pieces to add more charm to this walkway. What a gorgeous evening walk through the garden!
Greenhouse Patio
We created a patio in front of our greenhouse last fall and have had so much fun finding the right vintage finds to liven it up.
An old garden chair, vintage galvanized tubs, and enamel planters add charm to this outdoor space. Two headboards are placed as borders in flower garden beds to add interest and use to support tall plant stems.
Where are the Best Places to Find Vintage Garden Decor Ideas?
There are many different sources for vintage shopping out there. Here are a few of my favorites:
Searching for antique and vintage items is an exciting adventure when creating a vintage garden decor style. There’s nothing better than finding unique vintage decor pieces that will transform your garden into a charming retreat.
Each item, from antique planters and vintage garden ornaments to rustic birdhouses and vintage accessories, adds a touch of history and character to your outdoor space.
If you have any questions or additional vintage garden decor ideas, please share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may find these gardening tips useful.
Until next time,
Happy Vintage Garden Decorating!
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Amazing Outdoor Decor Ideas! These ideas will definitely enhance any outdoor gathering!
I’m so glad you liked them!
What great ideas and the gardens look beauitiful!
I’m so impressed by your green thumbs and beautiful gardens. So many fun little details and so jealous. When I came across one of the photos of the water, it was like a post card. Seriously gorgeous. Love it all! pinned
You are so sweet, Cindy. I love that you thought the view would make a good postcard. And thank you for pinning my friend.
My vintage-loving floral heart is so happy looking at all this beauty! Think the only thing on this list I “need” are some metal windowboxes; yours are gorgeous. Can’t say I come across those often, and if I have they’re pricey:( Now you’ve got me thinking of all the stuff I should be adding to my gardens! Beautiful ideas; now if I could just snap my fingers and get it all done!
I’m sure you will find everything you want in kn time. And I bet you’ll even find a great deal on the iron window boxes. You have a gift.
SO many gorgeous ideas, Kim. I love all of your pretty vintage garden finds! You’ve inspired me to add some more to my own garden🥰
Thank you, Jen! It’s fun to look for garden vintage items since I have no more room in my house for any!
Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen your iron window box before! I love it! You have such a great collection of vintage stuff and it works perfectly with your garden vibe.
Thank you, Jennifer! I realized after posting the picture that I never show that side of the house. Not sure why.