Infuse timeless style into the busiest room of your home! These practical vintage kitchen decor ideas on a budget address the needs of both function and beauty.
If your home is like mine, the kitchen is the heartbeat of it. And, I think I speak for all of us when it comes to wanting to have a beautiful kitchen but, at the same time, needing it to function properly. Well, I have good news for you! Through the use of thrifted finds, you can totally style a kitchen space that infuses timeless style and practicality. Come along as I share my tips on practical vintage kitchen decor ideas on a budget!
Sustainable Kitchen Decor Ideas: Decorating with Thrifted Finds for Both Function and Beauty
I’ll cover topics such as thrifted decor finds for a kitchen, styling ideas, specific areas of a kitchen, and how to put it all together for a balanced look.
So, if you’re ready to refresh your kitchen without breaking the bank, grab something nice to drink and let’s jump into it!
Shop Favorite Vintage Kitchen Decor
Timeless Style: Practical Vintage Kitchen Decor Ideas on a Budget
I’ll be honest. It’s taken me literal years to figure out how to best style my kitchen so that it feels cohesive and balanced yet looks pretty and unique to my vintage-loving aesthetic.
The Enduring Appeal of Thrifted Kitchen Decor
Why thrift kitchen decor? Well, why not?!
Here are four reasons as to why secondhand decor finds work so well in a kitchen:
- Affordability: The cost-savings that come with buying used over new are so good! Through shopping at thrift stores or vintage shops, you can get so much more for your dollar over buying brand new.
- Sustainability: Plain and simple, thrifting contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing waste and the demand for new production.
- Vintage Charm and Character: Vintage and antique kitchen items bring unique, one-of-a-kind character, and history, to any space. This type of patina and wear cannot be found anywhere else. Companies try to re-create the crazed look of things but the real deal, old things are SO much better!
- Personalization: Thrifting allows for a more personalized aesthetic that reflects individual tastes. There is truly something for everyone when shopping secondhand.
Must-Have Thrifted Kitchen Finds to Look For
Below is a comprehensive list of vintage kitchen decor that I use throughout my home:
- copper teapots, creamers, and canisters
- ironstone platters and creamer/sugar sets
- small-scale art
- baskets
- enamel teapots
- peg racks
- glass jars and tin canisters
- crocks
- wooden items such as cutting boards, mashers, and old coffee grinders
Styling Ideas for Thrifted Kitchen Decor: Bringing it to Life!
Over the years, I’ve discovered some super easy ways of styling vintage and thrifted decor finds throughout my small kitchen so that this space conveys a story…my story.
Let’s chat about them below!
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Create Charming Vignettes:
- To create a vignette in a kitchen, arrange small groups of thrifted items on countertops, shelves, or on top of cabinetry to create visually appealing displays. Be sure to keep these vignettes relatively small so that they don’t interfere with work or food prep areas.
- Examples of thematic vignettes can include: vintage copper, old cutting boards, ironstone, fruit or veggies, specific animals such as pigs, cows, or chickens, or a collection of vintage creamers.
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Mix and Match Styles:
- Embrace an eclectic look by combining different eras and styles of thrifted finds.
- To create a cohesive yet interesting mix, be sure that each vignette or area has same, or similar, elements. For example, in my kitchen, I decorate with my vintage copper collection. So that the kitchen feels balanced, I use copper elements on top of my cabinets, then the wall, and then bring some down to the counter. That way, each little area feels connected to the last.
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Display Collections:
- A kitchen is a super fun canvas to showcase collections of thrifted items such as vintage teacups, cook books, crocks, or old jars.
- My favorite way to display collections in a kitchen is to use the vacant space above the cabinets and have it span the entirety. Other ways to style collections can include open shelving on a wall or tiered stands on a countertop or island.
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Add Pops of Color and Texture:
- Due to the timeless nature of vintage and thrifted items, they can be used to introduce color and texture to a kitchen.
- Items such as vintage dishes, wooden mashers, or textured linens all provide a subtle look without being ‘too loud’.
Now, armed with that knowledge, let’s get into some specific areas of the kitchen! I’ll share ideas from my own space with examples of each type.
Kitchen Decor for Walls
Wall space is very limited in my kitchen. The one full wall I do have is taken up by a large pot rack. Due to that, I be sure to take advantage of the walls that are available.
Vintage Art
If you know me, you know I adore vintage art. I have thrifted art hanging all over my house!
Art in a kitchen provides warmth and character. In my kitchen space, I hung this vintage barn oil painting that I thrifted for just $4.00! The moody colors in it complement the green backsplash.
Baskets
Baskets, vintage or not, provide endless texture in a kitchen and are so practical! Baskets can be hung on a wall for decor, such as holding a floral display, and function, such as for holding fruits or veggies. Baskets exude an old-world charm that is just so pretty.
In my kitchen, I use two matching baskets on my peg rail to hold bananas, tomatoes, onions, and fresh ginger.
Peg Racks
Another item that can be used on a kitchen wall for both function and beauty are peg racks! These little things come in super handy yet, because of the wood element, add warmth and texture. Peg racks can be utilized for corralling oven mitts, towels, dried herbs, or measuring cups.
I thrifted this peg rack a few years ago for just a few dollars. In my kitchen, it serves dual purposes.
The functional aspect comes from holding the produce baskets, while, at the same time, the pegs also hold pieces from my ironstone and copper collections, which serves the decorative aesthetic.
Vintage Bowls
For a purely decorative kitchen wall accent, vintage bowls are an amazing option. Just recently acquired, this set of three copper bowls wows me each time I walk into the kitchen!
Spice Rack
Did you know that spice racks can act as a piece of wall art?! It’s true! Another practical kitchen item, spice racks serve the aspects of both function and beauty yet again.
Years ago, I thrifted this vintage spice rack in Florida of all places! I loved the wood tone of it and the fact that it came with all of the mid-century, matching glass spice jars. (one broke in my luggage so I replaced it with a milk glass jar)
We cook most of our meals from scratch so having this hanging above the stove is very practical for my family. Yet, the vintage wood provides a classic and timeless look that I just never grow tired of!
Kitchen Decor for Above Cabinets
If your kitchen is anything like mine, the builders decided it would be a good idea to leave a giant gap between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. Like, why?! Couldn’t they just take the cabinets all the way up??! 80’s buildings, I tell ya.
But, instead of letting it bug me, I’ve chosen to embrace it. The empty space above the cabinets is where my collection of vintage decor really shines!
Vintage Copper
I’ve been collecting vintage copper for over six years.
My collection, including teapots with blue and white porcelain handles, bowls, creamers, canisters, pots, and miscellaneous items like a few cheese shakers and measuring cups, has grown into something that is so special because I’ve taken the time to hand-pick each piece.
The copper metal brings in a warm and timeless patina to my mainly neutral kitchen. I usually grow tired of other metals such as silver or tin rather quickly but I’ll have these copper pieces forever.
It’s taken me years to style these thrifted pieces in my kitchen space. I have meticulously placed each one in a specific location above the cabinets for a reason. Whether that be because of its shape, color, or height, I’ve finally gotten this area to the point of adoring how everything looks.
Faux Plants
Obviously faux plants are not vintage but they complement vintage decor in such a beautiful way. When it comes to providing movement, color, texture and a life-like display, faux plants and greenery do all good things! Faux greenery truly makes any kitchen come alive without the hassle of remembering to water them.
For kitchen specific greenery, I love the trailing variety that drapes down and flows. I have three of these trailing heartleaf Philodendron stems spaced out evenly across the tops of my cabinets. They are just the perfect amount of green!
Shop Trailing Greenery
Other Vintage and Thrifted Decor
Other secondhand kitchen decor finds that I’ve brought home over the years include a vintage green scale, wooden coffee grinder, enamelware, vintage tins, and wooden elements such as cutting boards and mashers. All have found a home on top of the cabinets, nestled among the copper.
Countertop Kitchen Decor
When it comes to countertops, here is where the less is more method truly shines. I don’t know about your kitchen, but in mine, countertop surface area is like gold.
Jars and Crocks
On my countertop, I utilize a handful of jars and crocks that have been found at thrift shops for just a few dollars. Under the peg rack sits three vessels. The textured glass jar holds brown sugar, the vintage Red Wing crock holds Tilly’s treats, and the copper garlic keep holds garlic.
Next to the stove, another thrifted crock holds the wooden kitchen utensils that we use multiple times a day. See?? Functional CAN be beautiful!
Ironstone Platters
One more functional piece of decor that sits on my counter is an ironstone platter.
I use this for corralling more well-used kitchen items such as the oil bottles, salt and pepper, toothpicks, and tasting spoons. Without the platter, all of these necessary kitchen bits would just be floating randomly on the counter. The tray keeps everything contained while still looking pleasing!
Other Frugal Decor Ideas for the Kitchen
There are a few more kitchen decor items that I briefly wanted to touch on. I find that these three pieces are important when wanting to style a cozy kitchen space.
Rugs
Okay. This one might be a bit controversial because rugs in a kitchen…might not be the most practical, right?! Probably not. BUT! Last year, in the dead of winter, the kitchen floor was freezing cold. So, I thought I would experiment with having two matching rugs…one at the sink and one at the island.
Well, over a year later, I can firmly say that I love rugs in my kitchen. They add a soft, feminine feel to the floor and I adore the vintage pattern on them.
All in all, rugs, or a long runner going down the length of an island, are beautiful yet inexpensive items to aid in creating a cohesive kitchen!
Vintage Lighting
Lighting, vintage or not, makes a huge impact in a kitchen space and serves as an important decor element. But, lighting is SO expensive! To lower the cost of kitchen lights, why not buy them secondhand?!
Hubby and I found this green enamel pendant light at an antique shop years ago for only $45! It’s a little rusty and shows signs of wear but I love it. I actually prefer that look over shiny and new. We re-wired it and it has been hanging over the sink ever since.
Kitchen Curtains
The one window in my kitchen faces the street. I still wanted the light to come in but didn’t love the fact that people driving by could see right into our house, especially at night. So, the solution I came up with was to devise a cafe curtain.
But, this isn’t just any old cafe curtain! I found a vintage king size pillowcase at an estate sale for .25 cents with stunning lace edges. My mom helped me take it apart and turn it into two panels for a DIY cafe curtain. Though my sewing isn’t the best, I love it and don’t ever want to change it!
Thrift Your Kitchen: Creative and Budget-Friendly Decor Ideas
I’m all about doing things my own way and going against the grain. That especially rings true in my home where I want each space to be a reflection of me and no one else. I don’t ever want to have a home that is just like my neighbor’s or be wooed into a ‘pretty kitchen’ that costs thousands of dollars.
Closing Tidbits on Timeless Style: Practical Vintage Kitchen Decor Ideas on a Budget
As we close today, it’s my sincere hope that you have found useful tidbits that you can incorporate into your own kitchen space. Whether you are looking to embrace a vintage aesthetic, hunting for simple ideas, or wanting to switch up your kitchen decor in an affordable way, let this be your sign to explore your local thrift store and embrace the creativity that comes with sourcing decor secondhand!
Be encouraged to thrift your way to a beautiful yet functional kitchen, one special piece at a time.
Let me know how YOU love to decorate your kitchen space! Tag me Instagram @theantiquedjourney.
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2 Comments. Leave new
Love your ideas and your kitchen. Wish I had an open area on top of my cabinets, you have a great collection on yours.
Hey, Marlene!
Thanks so much!! I do love that area…it’s so nice to be able to display my pretty things 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by today! Wishing you a lovely weekend!