Vintage cobbler racks are all the rage right now in the world of antiques. Let me show you how to step up your home decor style by incorporating these old relics into your home.
The golden brown wooden color of vintage cobbler racks makes me giddy!
Every single solitary time, I spy one at an antique shop, flea market, second-hand shop, etc…
They call my name, seriously!
Everything about them is enticing.
From their tall, lean appearance to all the prospective storage and display options.
And those darling antique casters are just about the most curious things I’ve ever seen…
I’m excited today to share with you one of my favorite antique furniture pieces: the vintage cobbler rack. I have fallen in love with it for home display and storage.
And I’m delighted to be joining some talented gals here today to share our favorite vintage furniture pieces with you, hosted by my friend Cindy over at County Road 407. And if you are joining me from Rachel over at The Ponds Farmhouse, welcome! I think Rachel is the queen of adding antique furniture into her modern farmhouse style. Amazing!
What is a Vintage Cobbler Rack?
During the turn of the century, factory cobbler racks were mostly used by cobblers to transport shoes. However, cobbler racks were also used for shelving and shoe storage.
Today, they are collected all over the world, and you can find vintage cobbler racks for sale at antique dealers, flea markets, second-hand shops, markets, Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and more.
In New England, I have found these vintage cobbler racks selling for $200-$400. Online stores are selling these racks for thousands of dollars, which is really crazy, in my opinion!
The pricing options will vary depending on the condition and stability of the vintage cobbler rack. And be sure that those whimsical casters roll nicely, too!
Vintage Cobbler Racks in the Home
Once you have found your very own vintage cobbler rack, now what?
Storage Room Ideas
Let me give you an idea of all the ways you can decorate with vintage cobbler racks in your home:
- Flat Storage
- In a Pantry
- Art Studio
- Home Office
- Bookshelving
- Bath Towels in a Bathroom
- Bedding
- Storage Shelving
- Plates, Platters, Dishes
- Toys
- Antique Collections
- Wine Racks
Well, I think this gives you a good rundown of all the uses for vintage cobbler racks and how they can work in any room.
Vintage Cobbler Racks in The Bedroom
While out Thrifting and Antiquing this Mud Season, I picked up this vintage cobbler rack to add to one of our guest bedrooms, the larger guest bedroom featured in this recent post, 3 Wallpaper Bedroom Designs Emblematic of a Cozy Vermont Inn.
It’s going to be so charming, filled with bath towels, pillows, linens, quilts, soaps, and so much more for our guests. I filled it to the brim with hospitality!
Vintage Cobbler Rack Restored
But first, I cleaned and refinished the vintage cobbler rack using my favorite Restor-A-Finish Maple-Pine. I highly recommend this stuff! I use it on all my wooden finds, from the antique shops to thrift stores. It cleans, brightens, and adds an authentic, rich color to those drab furniture pieces.
This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Decorating Ideas
Now, it was time to fill it up with all the cozy guest room accommodations.
I started with extra pillows, bath towels, and blankets.
I properly folded a favorite vintage quilt, which added color and charm.
See how to properly fold a quilt in the post, How to Fold and Display Heirloom Quilts.
You may also enjoy this post, A Petite Antique Dresser in the Bathroom with knobs like big old diamonds.
Then, I add a few incidentals like this ironstone mold filled with scented hand soaps.
You may also enjoy Memorial Day weekend finds in the post, Baby Adidas, Petite Cobbler Rack, & Watercolor Ski Drawings. And see that same petite cobbler rack decorated today in the post, Store, Stack & Display Vintage Dishes in an Antique Cobblers Rack.
A small wooden carton filled with antique clothespins is added.
Well, just because they’re so darn cute.
A blow dryer.
And a few local books and magazines for our guests to enjoy.
My mother once told me that you should have something living in each room of your home.
So here I added a green plant into a vintage blue and white wash basin bowl.
You could also add a simple bouquet of flowers too.
A vintage quilt at the foot of this guest bedroom’s four-post antique bed adds warmth and charm next to the vintage cobbler rack filled with welcoming hospitality.
Looking for beautiful vintage quilts?
My go-to is River House Designs over on Etsy. She has such a wonderful assortment of vintage quilts.
Vintage suitcases stacked on top of the vintage cobbler rack add height and are representative of adventure and travel for our favorite destinations.
I also added a few bundles of blue yarn, which makes a soft and flattering color impact.
Vintage Cobbler Rack Display in Vintage Booth
The first ever vintage cobbler rack that I ever bought was this one last year at Vintage Market Days Fall 2022 Vermont. I cleaned and refinished this one with the Restor-A-Finish Maple-Pine, too.
It now resides in the window at my vintage booth at The Vintage Soul. It makes for an ideal display piece for this small space. It’s coined the “Bargain Rack.”
You may see more of it in the post, Vintage Booth Winter Window Display. You may also enjoy the post, How to Start a Vintage Booth Business.
More Vintage Cobbler Racks Inspiration
- Vintage Kitchen Cart Roundup
- Sunroom Breakfast Nook
- DIY French Inspired Baker’s Rack
- Repurposed Antique Bakers Rack
- I Found My Dream Piece of Furniture
- Fall Kitchen and Recipe Tour
- DIY Replica Vintage Shelving
Antique Collectibles/Cobbler Racks on Pinterest
Follow my Pinterest Board, Antique Collectibles/Cobbler Racks, for more vintage cobbler rack decorating ideas.
SHOP THIS POST
Next up on today’s favorite vintage furniture tour is Debra from Common Ground. Debra is sharing her favorite antique furniture piece, the sideboard. And can I admit something? Another favorite antique furniture piece of mine is my family heirloom turned sideboard, which I shared last week. Debra, we were both thinking alike! I love it when that happens!
The other gals joining me today would be delighted if you stopped by to see their favorite vintage furniture pieces, too. I hope you enjoy it all and are completely inspired today!
I love how you styled this rack, Ann! I used to have one — I used it in the little cottage that was here before we built the house. I sold it to a local artist, who uses it in her shop now! They are such cool design pieces1
Thank you Molly. I love them too. I almost hit up an estate sale this weekend that was selling two, but I restrained:)
This blows my mind. I grew up in the Mohawk Valley (New York) and shoe factories were part of my life. My grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin and my mom worked at either Allegro Shoe or the Felt Shoe. I also worked there for awhile before I got married. It was hard, hot, stinky work that didn’t pay much but supported
many generations of families. There were shoe factories in neighboring Dolgeville and St Johnsville, too, but all were closed by 1980, and shoes are now made overseas. I am having a hard time realizing that people spend large amounts of money on these shoe racks that so many workers touched each day. Wow. Just wow.
Isn’t that something? I love this story thank you so much for sharing it. And yes these racks can be so expensive. Selling for over $1K currently on Etsy. It’s crazy, but they are beautiful vintage furniture pieces and I just adore them. Have a nice weekend Joan.
I’ve always loved these old cobbler’s racks, too. Love the idea of using one in a guest bedroom; great repurpose! That room’s wallpaper is so pretty! What a fun room to decorate:)
Thank you so much, Lora!
Well now I’m on a mission to find one of these fantastic cobbler racks! I’ve never seen casters like that either. Very curious to see one close up and see it roll. And I love how you styled it with the quilts, towels, etc. So pretty! Thank you for joining in this month. Love this post! pinned
Thank you so much Cindy. The casters really roll great and they’re the same on all the old cobbler racks. Aren’t they the funniest things? Thanks so much for having me today Cindy! Always happy to join you.
I love the cobbler rack. It looks great in your guest bedroom and matches the bed perfectly. I love all of your blue and white quilts too. Thanks for the inspiration and Happy Easter!
Thank you so much, I hope you had a wonderful Easter too!
Love, love, love the cobblers racks!! You always have the best ideas!! Your suggestions for how they can be used are so cool and the rack on your guest room is awesome!!!!
Wouldn’t it be great if we had a closet large enough to actually use one for shoes!?
Thank you kindly Kathy. Hope you had a nice Easter!
This is gorgeous and I love seeing it around the house. I only thought about linens, but seeing your ideas I realize it could work for so many items, even dishes. Love all your quilts and cobbler rack ideas. Have a wonderful Easter, Ann.
Thank you Debra, I would love to have one filled with dishes too. Maybe I’ll find another cobbler rack soon, ha. Have a great day!
What a great antique piece to have. I have always wanted one but don’t know where I’d put it.
Thank you Marlene, aren’t they so fun? I love decorating with cobbler racks.
Ann,
Now I “need” a cobbler rack. I had no idea they could be so versatile. I love the idea of open shelving in a guest room. It becomes functional, but a gorgeous feature in the room! You always find the best treasures.
LOL, they really are so much fun to decorate with, truly. One would look fantastic matched with that unbelieve armoire you have in your dining room:)
Ann,
This is one vintage piece that I have always wanted. I recently found one that I could afford but couldn’t find a spot in my home for it. I’m still trying figure out where I can put it. LOL
I think I want one in every room, Rachel:) LOL. I was surprised you didn’t have one honestly. But your industrial cart is similar! Happy Easter!