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3 Ways To Decorate With Vintage Books

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Today I’m sharing 3 ways to decorate with vintage books!

love vintage books. You know, the ones with pretty linen covers and vibrant colors that make you feel something. Vintage books are versatile and beautiful pieces of home decor. You don’t need to have a huge collection of books, or a large home, to be able to decorate with them in beautiful ways.

One of my favorite influencers on YouTube, XO, Macenna, is the first person that really got me interested in hunting for these special pieces. She has taught me the best places to look for finding vintage books and the qualities to look for on them. I would like to pass along some of that knowledge to you. My hope is that you will find encouragement in these 3 ways to decorate with vintage books!

hobnail glass in a vignette

This post contains affiliate links. That simply means I earn a small commission on any clicked links at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting my small business!

Hunting for vintage books is an exciting adventure. If you are new to vintage books or are looking for some pointers, there are a few tips that I have learned that might help you. So, let’s start with the basics.

What To Look For In Vintage Books

vintage books lined up on a vintage table runner

Vintage books carry so much character. Sometimes they aren’t in the best shape. You might find tears or stains on them and the pages might be ripped but that just adds to their charm. The subject areas of these old books are endless but I really don’t pay much attention to what the book is about. Rather, I look for bold colors, linen covers, the size of the book, and the price. It’s a bonus to me if the subject area is about vintage, home decorating, or the outdoors. If you are looking to add instant vintage charm to any area of your home, old books are just the ticket!

a stack of vintage books

Where To Find Vintage Books

I haven’t been looking for or collecting vintage books for too long but I have had the most luck finding them at my local thrift store. There is a section in the book area fittingly called ‘Vintage Books’. Honestly I’ve only found one of my books in that area. The other ones have been buried in boxes and I’ve really had to dig for them. You can also check with relatives. Maybe your grandma or aunt have an abundance of vintage books that you don’t know about! Antique stores, flea markets, and estate sales are all great places to look for vintage books as well.

a stack of vintage books with vintage copper

How Much Do Vintage Books Cost?

a stack of vintage books with milk glass

The cost of vintage books really depends on where you are looking. Each of the books that I’ve found at the thrift store have been $3.99 each, which isn’t a terrible price, but not ideal either. Antique stores do have an abundance of vintage books but, at least here in Minnesota, have a hefty price tag of around $20 per book. Estate sales and flea markets are my two recommendations for the best pricing on vintage books where they can be found for as low as .50 cents!

a side view of vintage books

How To Decorate With Vintage Books

  1. Utilize them for height.
    a vintage Spring vignette
    You might already know that I love to use vintage books as risers when creating vignettes or little displays around my home. One of the best things about books is that they can be stacked in various ways. You can use 2, 3, or even 4 books to achieve the height you are going for. When stacked on a shelf or mantel, not only are you finding height, but you are bringing in vivid colors and dimension as well. a vintage light displayed on a mantel with vintage books
  2. Style them in a vignette.
    a vignette on a vintage chair
    This is my very favorite way to use vintage books. Styling vignettes is something that I truly find joy in because of the creative process involved. I let my creativity soar while styling these book vignettes. These types of displays are a way to showcase many of your favorite pieces in one area. Vintage books can help your vignette feel grounded and cohesive.
    DIY faux moss ball displayed in a vignette
    Books can be featured on their own tied with lace, displayed with vintage pieces such as milk glass, or arranged on an end table. Regardless of how you choose to display vintage books, know that they will enhance your home with vintage beauty.
    vintage Spring vignette
  3. Use them in a centerpiece.
    vintage books with milk glass used in a centerpiece display
    For a unique and eye-catching centerpiece, try using vintage books! I’ve actually never done this before, until now, but I really like it. Start with a neutral table runner as a base and then build your centerpiece off of that. Play around with the books and other pieces of decor until you find a centerpiece display that is pleasing to you.
    vintage books displayed on a table
    There are so many options as to how you can decorate with books in a centerpiece. You have the option to keep it super simple and just use books or add in more decorative pieces such as pitchers or faux stems.
    vintage books stacked with a vintage pitcher for a centerpiece
    Play around with different heights and textures in the centerpiece that complement the vintage books. Milk glass, Ironstone, or vintage pottery are always great options for creating centerpieces.
    vintage milk glass displayed with vintage books

Vintage books create an ambience in your home that is nostalgic and cozy. Old books are far from perfect but that’s what makes them so lovely. I hope that these 3 ways to decorate with vintage books are a help to you! Use my ideas as encouragement or come up with your own and let creativity be your guide.

signature from The Antiqued Journey

For more ideas on styling with vintage decor, go over and say hello to Aliya at Open Doors, Open Hearts . She has such a beautiful home, full of simple vintage decorating ideas!

Find more Antique and Vintage Inspiration.

Create simple DIY Projects for your home.

Go shopping in The Antiqued Journey shop!

If you are loving my content, please consider subscribing to my e-mail. In return, you will get a free digital download and weekly inspiration delivered straight to your inbox. I would love for you to be a part of The Antiqued Journey community!

Shop My Post

Interior Design Books

Lace Ribbon

Faux Stems

Ceramic Pitchers

Linen Table Runner

My Lace Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Decorative Bowl (Dollar Tree)

 

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Hello I’m Rachel.

I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

Join Our Antiqued Journey

community

Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

    Popular

    Check out
    The Antiqued Journey
    Shop!

    FREE SHIPPING on all orders

    Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
    1. Home
    2. Inspiration for Your Home
    3. Antique and Vintage
    4. 3 Ways To Decorate With Vintage Books

    3 Ways To Decorate With Vintage Books

    Share this post. Share the Journey!

    Today I’m sharing 3 ways to decorate with vintage books!

    love vintage books. You know, the ones with pretty linen covers and vibrant colors that make you feel something. Vintage books are versatile and beautiful pieces of home decor. You don’t need to have a huge collection of books, or a large home, to be able to decorate with them in beautiful ways.

    One of my favorite influencers on YouTube, XO, Macenna, is the first person that really got me interested in hunting for these special pieces. She has taught me the best places to look for finding vintage books and the qualities to look for on them. I would like to pass along some of that knowledge to you. My hope is that you will find encouragement in these 3 ways to decorate with vintage books!

    hobnail glass in a vignette

    This post contains affiliate links. That simply means I earn a small commission on any clicked links at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting my small business!

    Hunting for vintage books is an exciting adventure. If you are new to vintage books or are looking for some pointers, there are a few tips that I have learned that might help you. So, let’s start with the basics.

    What To Look For In Vintage Books

    vintage books lined up on a vintage table runner

    Vintage books carry so much character. Sometimes they aren’t in the best shape. You might find tears or stains on them and the pages might be ripped but that just adds to their charm. The subject areas of these old books are endless but I really don’t pay much attention to what the book is about. Rather, I look for bold colors, linen covers, the size of the book, and the price. It’s a bonus to me if the subject area is about vintage, home decorating, or the outdoors. If you are looking to add instant vintage charm to any area of your home, old books are just the ticket!

    a stack of vintage books

    Where To Find Vintage Books

    I haven’t been looking for or collecting vintage books for too long but I have had the most luck finding them at my local thrift store. There is a section in the book area fittingly called ‘Vintage Books’. Honestly I’ve only found one of my books in that area. The other ones have been buried in boxes and I’ve really had to dig for them. You can also check with relatives. Maybe your grandma or aunt have an abundance of vintage books that you don’t know about! Antique stores, flea markets, and estate sales are all great places to look for vintage books as well.

    a stack of vintage books with vintage copper

    How Much Do Vintage Books Cost?

    a stack of vintage books with milk glass

    The cost of vintage books really depends on where you are looking. Each of the books that I’ve found at the thrift store have been $3.99 each, which isn’t a terrible price, but not ideal either. Antique stores do have an abundance of vintage books but, at least here in Minnesota, have a hefty price tag of around $20 per book. Estate sales and flea markets are my two recommendations for the best pricing on vintage books where they can be found for as low as .50 cents!

    a side view of vintage books

    How To Decorate With Vintage Books

    1. Utilize them for height.
      a vintage Spring vignette
      You might already know that I love to use vintage books as risers when creating vignettes or little displays around my home. One of the best things about books is that they can be stacked in various ways. You can use 2, 3, or even 4 books to achieve the height you are going for. When stacked on a shelf or mantel, not only are you finding height, but you are bringing in vivid colors and dimension as well. a vintage light displayed on a mantel with vintage books
    2. Style them in a vignette.
      a vignette on a vintage chair
      This is my very favorite way to use vintage books. Styling vignettes is something that I truly find joy in because of the creative process involved. I let my creativity soar while styling these book vignettes. These types of displays are a way to showcase many of your favorite pieces in one area. Vintage books can help your vignette feel grounded and cohesive.
      DIY faux moss ball displayed in a vignette
      Books can be featured on their own tied with lace, displayed with vintage pieces such as milk glass, or arranged on an end table. Regardless of how you choose to display vintage books, know that they will enhance your home with vintage beauty.
      vintage Spring vignette
    3. Use them in a centerpiece.
      vintage books with milk glass used in a centerpiece display
      For a unique and eye-catching centerpiece, try using vintage books! I’ve actually never done this before, until now, but I really like it. Start with a neutral table runner as a base and then build your centerpiece off of that. Play around with the books and other pieces of decor until you find a centerpiece display that is pleasing to you.
      vintage books displayed on a table
      There are so many options as to how you can decorate with books in a centerpiece. You have the option to keep it super simple and just use books or add in more decorative pieces such as pitchers or faux stems.
      vintage books stacked with a vintage pitcher for a centerpiece
      Play around with different heights and textures in the centerpiece that complement the vintage books. Milk glass, Ironstone, or vintage pottery are always great options for creating centerpieces.
      vintage milk glass displayed with vintage books

    Vintage books create an ambience in your home that is nostalgic and cozy. Old books are far from perfect but that’s what makes them so lovely. I hope that these 3 ways to decorate with vintage books are a help to you! Use my ideas as encouragement or come up with your own and let creativity be your guide.

    signature from The Antiqued Journey

    For more ideas on styling with vintage decor, go over and say hello to Aliya at Open Doors, Open Hearts . She has such a beautiful home, full of simple vintage decorating ideas!

    Find more Antique and Vintage Inspiration.

    Create simple DIY Projects for your home.

    Go shopping in The Antiqued Journey shop!

    If you are loving my content, please consider subscribing to my e-mail. In return, you will get a free digital download and weekly inspiration delivered straight to your inbox. I would love for you to be a part of The Antiqued Journey community!

    Shop My Post

    Interior Design Books

    Lace Ribbon

    Faux Stems

    Ceramic Pitchers

    Linen Table Runner

    My Lace Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

    Decorative Bowl (Dollar Tree)

     

    12 Comments. Leave new

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Fill out this field
    Fill out this field
    Please enter a valid email address.
    You need to agree with the terms to proceed

    Hello I’m Rachel.

    I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

    Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

    Join Our Antiqued Journey

    community

    Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

      Popular

      Check out
      The Antiqued Journey
      Shop!

      FREE SHIPPING on all orders

      Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
      Menu