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Reinventing Uses For Vintage Bread Boxes

By Rachel

published 10/16/2020

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Last Updated on January 3, 2025 by Rachel

Reinventing uses for vintage bread boxes lets us re-imagine how to use these cool, old things as decor!

Have you ever stumbled upon a vintage bread box in your grandmother’s attic and wondered what could possibly be done with such an outdated item? Or perhaps you’ve seen one at a garage sale and passed it by, not realizing the potential it holds. Well, you’re not alone. Today I’m sharing some simple ideas for reinventing uses for vintage bread boxes!

Table of Contents

Clever Ideas and Storage Hacks for Old Bread Boxes

Many people see old bread boxes as nothing more than a relic of the past, but in reality, they can be reinvented into functional and stylish pieces for your home.

In this article, we’ll explore the surprisingly versatile world of vintage bread boxes and how they can add charm and organization to any space. From trendy storage solutions to unique decor accents, get ready to rethink the traditional uses of these humble containers. Let’s dive in and unlock the creative potential of vintage bread boxes together!

Shop Vintage Bread Boxes

Brief History of Bread Boxes

The bread box, once a staple in every kitchen prior to the 1980’s, was an extremely useful tool in those years after its invention.

Dating back to the 1800’s, bread boxes were first used to transport bread on wagons and trains and was patented in 1918 by Stanley Walter Krebs.

It may not be the first item on the list of things that you need in a kitchen but bread used to be made daily. And, due to that, the use of a bread box made the freshness last much longer. However, the boxes fell out of popularity once production bread made it’s appearance.

What is a Vintage Bread Box?

Well, it isn’t exactly a ‘box’ but it’s not very complicated. Most came in at 1.5 feet long and were either oval or rectangular shaped.

The lid of the box always faced towards the front; some boxes had hinges, some had rollers, some offered a pull-open door and others had a handle on top to take the lid on and off.

It was often large enough for two full loaves of bread while also keeping pests at bay that might have found their way to the counter.

Types of Bread Boxes

The bread box has changed over time so many materials have been used to accommodate the looks that people were going for. Wooden bread boxes were often popular and are highly sought after in today’s market. Some of these wooden boxes contain old-style lettering or designs that offer a vintage feel.

Enamel is another popular material for bread boxes, offering the most antique aesthetic. These are made from thin metal and usually have a decorative print on the front. Other materials for bread boxes include plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic.

How to Use Vintage Bread Boxes

If you are actually going to use one to keep your bread fresh, I would suggest buying a new one because then you can be sure that it is food safe.

Some of the antique ones may have lead paint or other chemicals not suited for food.

Here are some ways for reinventing uses for vintage bread boxes:

Use it as a decor piece in your kitchen. They look pretty on top of cabinets or on a kitchen shelf.
As a vessel to hold flowers, either faux or fresh. For faux: insert a piece of floral foam and then tuck the faux stems into that. For fresh: line it with a plastic bag before inserting the flowers so that the water doesn’t leak.
Use it as a mail or bill organizer on a desk.
Drill a hole(s) in the back to thread your cell phone charger through as a charging station.
Use it as a kitchen ‘snack station’ to hold gum, mints, bite size candy, small bags of chips, etc…
Organize pony tail binders, clips, headbands, etc..on the bathroom counter.
Bring it outside on the deck or patio and use it to hold sun screen, bug spray, lip balm and hand wipes.

Closing Tidbits on Decorating with Bread Boxes

With so many different options to choose from, a cute bread box can be a staple in your kitchen again or whatever you decide to use it for! Antique stores contain many bread boxes that you can peruse and pick one that pairs nicely with the decor that you already have.

Try out one of the options listed above for a unique way to use antiques in your home! I hope this inspires you today to go about using some of these simple ways on reinventing uses for vintage bread boxes.

Let me know in the comments below how you would want to use an old bread box. I love hearing from you!

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