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Vintage Fall Decor Ideas to Add Charm and Character to Your Home

If you’re looking for fall decor ideas to add charm and character to your home, mixing vintage pieces throughout your spaces is a perfect way to accomplish just that.

Come along for some autumn decor inspiration as I show you how to create a warm and inviting fall vibe with those thrifted vintage treasures you’ve found throughout the years.

open shelves Vintage Fall Decor Ideas

When you have a beach cottage built in 1920 it makes sense to fill it with vintage-style decor no matter what the season.

I’ve been collecting a lot of antique and vintage pieces, small and large, throughout the last 10 years that we’ve owned our home. I didn’t have much when we moved in, just an antique table that my mom gave me and a hope chest from my childhood., along with a few smaller pieces here and there.

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fresh fall flowers in a vase
Vintage Fall Decor Ideas fall cream wreath and hydrangeas

Understanding Vintage Home Decor

What Makes Something Vintage?

The criteria for classifying an item as a “vintage piece” can vary depending on the type of item and the industry in which it is being assessed. However, there are some general guidelines that are often used to determine whether an item is considered vintage:

  • Age: Vintage items are typically at least 20 years old, although some definitions may require them to be even older. The specific age threshold can vary, but the key idea is that vintage items are from a bygone era.
  • Design and Style: Vintage items often have design elements and styles that are associated with a particular time period or era.
  • Rarity: Vintage items are often characterized by their rarity or limited availability. They may be discontinued or no longer in production, making them harder to find.
  • Quality and Craftsmanship: Vintage pieces are typically well-made compared to mass-produced modern equivalents.
  • Historical Significance: Some vintage items gain additional value and recognition if they have historical significance or are associated with a notable event, person, or place from the past.
  • Condition: While some wear and patina are expected due to age, well-preserved vintage items that are in good or excellent condition are generally more valuable.
  • Collectibility: The demand for a particular type of vintage item within a collector’s market can significantly impact its status as a vintage piece. Items that are highly sought after by collectors may command higher prices.

Where to Find Vintage Decor

Vintage home decor items can be found in a variety of places, both online and in physical stores. Here are some common places to search for vintage home decor:

  • Antique Stores and Malls
  • Vintage Shops
  • Thrift Stores and Secondhand Shops
  • Flea Markets and Swap Meets
  • Estate Sales and Auctions
  • Online Marketplaces
  • Antique and Collectible Shows
  • Social Media and Online Communities
  • Estate Liquidation Companies
  • Specialty Vintage Retailers
  • Garage and Yard Sales
vintage suitcases for sale

Does It Have to Be Real Vintage?

Whether a home decor item has to be “real vintage” depends on your personal preferences and the specific look and feel you want to achieve in your home. “Real vintage” typically refers to items that are genuinely old and from a past era, meeting the criteria of age, style, and authenticity that are typically associated with vintage pieces.

However, there are alternatives to real vintage items that can help you achieve a vintage or retro look in your home decor:

  • Vintage Reproductions: Some companies produce new items that are designed to replicate the look and style of vintage pieces. These reproductions can provide the aesthetics of vintage decor without the wear and tear of actual vintage items.
  • Retro-Inspired Decor: Many contemporary home decor pieces are inspired by the styles of past eras, such as mid-century modern, Art Deco, or Victorian. These pieces are new but capture the essence of vintage design.
  • Upcycled and DIY Projects: You can create your own vintage-inspired decor by upcycling or repurposing old furniture and items or by creating DIY projects that give modern items a vintage look.
  • Vintage-Inspired Accessories: Incorporate vintage-inspired accessories like vintage-style clocks, lamps, posters, or textiles into your decor to create a vintage ambiance.
  • Mix and Match: You can combine real vintage pieces with contemporary items to create a unique and eclectic decor style that blends old and new elements.

SHOP MY FAVORITE FALL DECOR ITEMS

vintage fall kitchen vignette decor

Vintage Decor Ideas for Fall

Here are some vintage home decor ideas around our cottage this fall…

  • Vintage scales
  • Stacked suitcases
  • Vintage Copper
  • Wicker picnic baskets
  • Galvanized buckets
  • Crocks
  • Vintage books
  • Ironstone
  • Vintage glass bottles
  • Bowls and trays
vintage green scale with faux fall decor

Vintage Scales

I have a compulsion when it comes to vintage scale decor.

Every time I see a vintage scale in an antique or thrift shop I want to buy it. It doesn’t matter that I have at least 10 different scales in my home already.

This antique hanging scale pictured above was love at first sight when I found it in an antique mall in Port Orchard, WA.

Vintage and antique kitchen scales are so easy to display fall home decor like pumpkins and fruit for the season. They’re perfect for any fall kitchen vignette.

I love how easy it is to change out the decor from season to season with an entirely new look.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas pumpkin sign and vintage suitcase

Vintage Suitcases

Suitcases are great for stacking and adding height to any fall vignette. I also love using a stack of them as a fun end table.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage suitcase and wicker picnic basket
copper teakettle and pears in a vintage ironstone bowl

Vintage Copper

Copper is one of my favorite vintage fall decor ideas to use and always makes such a beautiful focal point. These vintage pieces add warmth and patina, not to mention complimenting the warm autumn colors.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas copper canisters on the kitchen counter

Vintage thrifted copper finds are easy to find at any local antique shop. I can usually find a good deal on canisters, pitchers, teakettles, and containers.

vintage copper pieces found at a local flea market

Here are some of the pieces I found at the Bremerton Vintage Flea Market. I found some amazing thrifted copper finds that day.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas dried hydrangeas in vintage copper tray

This is the prettiest copper container I spotted a few years ago. Smaller glass jars filled with dried hydrangeas fit perfectly inside.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas wicker picnic basket with vintage copper kettle and ironstone

Vintage Wicker Baskets

Baskets are a wonderful starting point when creating an autumn vignette or styling a shelf. Chances are if I see a wicker picnic basket in a shop that is in decent condition, I will be taking it home with me.

Wicker picnic baskets look beautiful in any vintage cottage or farmhouse decor.

vintage picnic baskets

A wicker basket is so versatile and looks great in any season.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage galvanized bucket with dahlias and fruit centerpiece

Vintage Galvanized Containers

Old rusty galvanized containers are always the best way to show off your fall floral arrangements.

You can see how just a simple vintage centerpiece, with this galvanized bucket as the focal point, helps to make the most stunning table.

vintage galvanized bucket with dried hydrangeas

Each year I dry my hydrangeas in vintage galvanized flea market finds. Antique mason jars are a great way to keep the flowers standing straight up.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage galvanized bucket with dried hydrangeas on wooden stool
vintage fall decor vintage crock with cotton stems

Vintage Crocks

Crocks are another great vintage item to show off natural elements such as fall fresh flowers and branches.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas

Even adding simple greenery to a crock makes a beautiful statement for fall.

vintage books and apple slice pumpkin

Vintage Books

No matter how you stack them up, antique and vintage books are a great foundation for any fall home decor vignette.

Old books add height and are a great way to display fall decor such as pumpkins.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage books with plaid fabric pumpkin
green apples in white ironstone pedestal bowl

Vintage Ironstone

Pumpkins, fruit, and vegetables look fall fabulous when placed in an old, antique, or vintage ironstone piece.

What I love about using ironstone for my fall decor is that it’s such a simple touch that doesn’t take a lot to make a big statement.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage green metal picnic basket
vintage wicker basket and glass jars

Vintage Glass Bottles

I love the look of amber bottles mixed in with clear bottles. What I love most about these vintage jars for decor is how the different shapes create so much interest.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage glass bottles in fall colors

Green glass jars also look great for the fall season.

vintage chicken feeder as centerpiece and hydrangeas

Vintage Chicken Feeder

If you have a rustic style of decorating, a vintage chicken feeder is perfect for showing off beautiful flowers, branches, pine cones, and fall pumpkins.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage chicken feeder with fall decor and pumpkins

I love this piece because it’s so easy to change the decor from season to season.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas vintage dough bowl filled with faux apples

Vintage Bowls and Trays

Wooden and metal thrifted vintage trays or bowls will show off seasonal fruit or fall pumpkins.

I found this heavy and chunky dough bowl in a store in Poulsbo. The salesperson said that the owner found it in France.

vintage tray with pumpkin decor

Whether you choose a spot on the coffee table or a side table, you can always find the perfect place for a vintage tray or bowl for fall. There’s just something so warm and cozy about mixing vintage pieces with your fall decor.

If you’re looking to bring in a warm and cozy vibe this season, try using some of these fall vintage decor ideas in your home. It’s an easy and budget-friendly way to decorate for autumn.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may find these fall decor tips useful.

Until next time,

Happy Vintage Fall Decorating!

More Vintage and Thrifting Inspiration

Each month I join my friends Stacy and Jennifer for a blog hop where we share all things vintage, thrifting, and our flea market finds. Be sure to visit their blogs today where you are sure to be inspired. Their links are below.

making a ceramic bowl look like stone

Stacy | Bricks ‘n Blooms

My talented friend Stacy has some great upcycling ideas to make a ceramic bowl look like stone.

thrift store finds for fall

Jennifer | Cottage on Bunker Hill

You’re going to love how my friend Jennifer decorates her home with thrift store finds for fall.

vintage inspired fall home decor

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21 Comments

  1. When I have seen your posts, I think it was mostly flowers so I really enjoyed seeing bits of the inside of your home. You really styled all your vintage treasures so well!

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