Tennis Racket Decor, Easy Ways to Style Vintage and Collected Sports Finds

Tennis racket decor is one of those vintage styling ideas that quietly works in any home, any season, when it’s treated as a collected design element rather than a themed accent. From hanging vintage tennis rackets on the wall to layering them in baskets with old tennis balls, racket presses, and even a rare umpire chair, this post shares easy, lived-in ways to decorate with vintage and collected sports finds. Whether you lean toward classic, eclectic, or subtly patriotic styles, these tennis racket decor ideas show how sports memorabilia can feel intentional, warm, and right at home.

Why Tennis Racket Decor Is Easy to Collect and Style

If you’re drawn to vintage sports decor, tennis racket decor is an easy and approachable style to collect and live with. I often find vintage tennis rackets at flea markets, antique shops, and thrift stores for around $10 to $20, which makes building a collection feel fun rather than precious. The warm wooden frames, colorful grips, and subtle signs of wear give tennis racket decor a nostalgic charm that works beautifully throughout the home. Whether displayed in a basket, leaned against a wall or chair, or grouped as a small collection, tennis racket decor adds character and a relaxed, collected feel to a space.

Why I Decorate with Tennis Racket Decor: A Family Story Behind the Collection

Tennis racket decor has personal meaning in my home, which is why I wanted to share these ideas beyond simple styling inspiration. One of my most treasured vintage collections is my father’s old tennis rackets, now displayed in a basket in a guest bedroom at our coastal Maine home. My dad was a lifelong tennis player who continued playing well into his 80s, and decorating with his rackets feels like a quiet way to honor that history while keeping the memories present in our everyday spaces.

Tennis runs deep in my family roots. My uncle, John Conroy, once worked as a ball boy on the grass courts in Newport, Rhode Island, and is now honored at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He later became Princeton’s tennis coach and founded the Lawrenceville Tennis Camp, where I spent several summers growing up. One of the most meaningful gifts he ever gave me was a Chris Evert–autographed vintage tennis racket, a piece of tennis history I sadly no longer have but still think about often.

That personal connection is what inspired me to write this post and explore tennis racket decor as more than a trend. Decorating with vintage tennis rackets, baskets of old tennis balls, racket presses, and even a rare umpire chair allows these sports pieces to become part of a home’s story. For me, tennis racket decor isn’t just about styling, it’s about collecting memories, honoring family history, and letting meaningful objects live on in a beautiful, lived-in way.

Tennis Racket Decor Ideas for the Home

Tennis racket decor works best when it’s treated like any other collected home accent, layered thoughtfully and styled with intention. From wall displays and leaning arrangements to baskets filled with rackets, tennis balls, and vintage presses, tennis racket decor can feel relaxed, personal, and lived-in rather than themed. Below are some of my favorite tennis racket decor ideas for the home, each one easy to adapt to your own space and style.

Styling Tennis Racket Decor in a Basket

Styling tennis racket decor in a basket is how this collection first came together in my home. It started with several of my father’s old tennis rackets, pieces I already loved for their history and patina, and slowly grew as I began spotting vintage rackets while antiquing and Thrifting with the Gals. Vintage tennis rackets are surprisingly easy to find at thrift stores, flea markets, and antique shops, often for very little, which makes collecting feel relaxed rather than precious.

I gathered the rackets into a large antique basket and simply placed it on the floor in a bedroom, tucked beside a bed, dresser, or even under a side table. The result feels casual, layered, and collected, not styled to perfection, but styled with intention. This kind of tennis racket decor tells a story without trying too hard, which is exactly the look I love.

To finish the space, I layered a thrifted piece of art above the basket called the Kitty Cat Tennis Club, something my mother once found and always thought was charming. Recently, when I rearranged the bedroom for a Sunday Home refresh, I kept the same tennis racket decor idea but styled it slightly differently, giving the collection a second look that still feels familiar and personal.

Leaning Tennis Racket Decor Against Furniture

Leaning tennis racket decor against furniture is one of the easiest ways to style a small collection without committing to a permanent display. A vintage tennis racket can rest casually against a chair in a corner, lean against a sofa or side table, or be propped on a bookshelf or dresser where it adds just the right amount of character. This approach works best with one or two collected rackets, letting the warm wood frames and worn handles bring a relaxed, lived-in feel to the space. Sometimes the simplest tennis racket decor ideas are the ones that feel the most natural, almost as if the racket was set down and simply never moved.

Hanging Tennis Racket Decor on the Wall

Hanging tennis racket decor on the wall is an easy way to turn a small collection into intentional wall art. One of my favorite examples is a pair of vintage tennis rackets hung vertically on the wall with a large gold frame surrounding them, creating a simple but charming focal point above a bed in a cottage bedroom. The rackets aren’t crisscrossed or complicated, just cleanly displayed side by side, which keeps the look relaxed and timeless.

This type of tennis racket decor is surprisingly easy to install using small nails or removable command strips, depending on your wall and preference. While it works beautifully in a bedroom, this idea would feel just as at home in a game room, guest space, or anywhere you want to add a subtle nod to vintage sports style without overwhelming the room. Sometimes the most straightforward displays make the biggest impact.

A Vintage-Inspired Mantel Using Tennis Racket Decor

A vintage-inspired mantel is an easy place to incorporate tennis racket decor in a way that feels collected and understated. This white faux vintage mantel is layered with salvaged white windows leaned casually against the wall, creating a soft, textured backdrop.

Two vintage red and white Wilson tennis rackets are resting against the mantel, one still fitted with its wooden racket press, while a few red apples are tucked in for a simple pop of color. The result is relaxed, layered, and effortlessly charming, proof that tennis racket decor doesn’t need much to make a statement when the pieces are thoughtfully grouped.

Vintage-Inspired Table Centerpiece with Tennis Racket Decor

This vintage-inspired table centerpiece uses tennis racket decor in a soft, understated way that feels collected rather than themed. A simple arrangement of white hydrangeas sits at the center of the dining table alongside a folded vintage American flag and a small stack of white dishes, keeping the palette light and classic.

One vintage tennis racket is laid casually next to the centerpiece, while the background ties everything together with the layered white salvaged windows, red and white tennis rackets, and apples displayed on the mantel.

The result is relaxed and welcoming, showing how tennis racket decor can move easily from the mantel to the table while adding warmth, character, and quiet vintage charm.

Tennis Racket Decor with Vintage Accessories and Collected Sports Finds

Once tennis racket decor is established in a space, it’s easy to build on the look using vintage tennis accessories that feel just as intentional. Wooden racket presses, old tennis ball holders, and even a rare umpire chair layer in texture and history, helping tennis racket decor read as collected rather than themed. These sports finds work beautifully when styled like furniture or accent pieces, adding depth and personality to the room.

Decorating with Vintage Tennis Racket Wooden Presses

Vintage tennis racket wooden presses are such a fun extension of tennis racket decor, especially when they’re collected and displayed together. I recently started gathering wooden racket presses and began hanging them above the basket of tennis rackets as wall decor, creating a layered, gallery-style look that I hope to keep growing over time.

Since rearranging this bedroom, I’ve also styled the full collection in a vintage red basket placed on top of a navy blue dresser, though these presses would look just as good on the floor, a side table, or tucked into a corner. The mix of wood, worn details, and classic sports style feels eclectic, relaxed, and easy, proving that tennis racket decor can evolve naturally as your collection grows.

Styling a Vintage Tennis Umpire Chair as Tennis Racket Decor

I can’t talk about tennis racket decor without sharing one of my most unexpected vintage finds, a wooden tennis umpire chair I discovered while thrifting with the gals at Cabot Antiques. At the time, I didn’t even know what it was, but the antique dealer explained its history, and that was all it took. It was one of those drop-everything moments, a piece I had never seen before and haven’t come across since.

Today, this tall, stately umpire chair has found a second life in our coastal Maine home, styled as a guest chair beside a tall antique professor’s desk. I leaned a vintage tennis racket still fitted with its wooden press nearby and added a simple vase of fresh blue hydrangeas on the desk for a soft New England touch.

Once a courtside essential at tennis clubs and country estates, these wooden umpire chairs were often hand-built with ladder-back designs and wide platforms for viewing the match. Their rarity makes them true collector’s pieces and a standout addition to tennis racket decor, adding history, character, and a great conversation starter to any room.

Decorating with a Vintage Tennis Ball Hopper

A vintage tennis ball hopper is one of those sports finds you don’t immediately think of as home decor, which is exactly why it works so well with tennis racket decor. I found this one at Goodwill Northern New England and picked up a few cans of tennis balls at the thrift store to fill it.

The hopper works by pressing down to load the balls, a familiar tool from tennis camps and practice courts, but styled at home, it becomes an unexpected and charming accent. I added a simple bow to the top and placed it in the same bedroom alongside the basket of tennis rackets and the basket of wooden racket presses, letting all three pieces tell a cohesive story. It’s playful, nostalgic, and surprisingly cute, and would feel just as at home in a game room, guest space, or anywhere you want to add a relaxed nod to vintage sports style.

Decorating with Vintage Badminton Rackets as a Companion to Tennis Racket Decor

Vintage badminton rackets are a fun and affordable companion to tennis racket decor, and they’re surprisingly easy to decorate with. I often spot them at yard sales and garage sales for just a few dollars, sometimes still tucked into their wooden presses, which makes them perfect for casual, creative styling.

One of my favorite ideas has been turning badminton rackets into a simple wreath by wrapping them with red, white, and blue ribbon and adding a few vintage birdies for a playful summer accent. The same idea would work just as well with tennis rackets for a front door, shed, or game room. Find the details on how to make your own DIY Badminton wreath in my How to Make a Wreath with Old Badminton Rackets and Birdies post.

I’ve also styled individual badminton rackets indoors, hanging one I found while antiquing in Nova Scotia on our DIY license plate wall rack in the guest bedroom for an extra layer of sports-inspired charm. Whether displayed on the wall, gathered into a basket like tennis rackets, or transformed into a wreath, vintage badminton rackets add a lighthearted touch that feels collected and creative. They’re proof that tennis racket decor can easily expand into other vintage sports finds without losing its charm.

How to Shop for Vintage Tennis Rackets for Tennis Racket Decor

Vintage tennis rackets are one of the easiest sports collectibles to find, which is part of what makes tennis racket decor so approachable. I’ve had the best luck finding them at thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, and yard sales, where they’re often tucked into corners or leaning in bins. Antique shops can be a good source, too, though prices may be slightly higher depending on condition and brand.

When shopping, look for wooden frames with character, even wear, and intact handles, perfection isn’t the goal here. Most vintage tennis rackets are very affordable, and it’s common to pay around $20 or less, especially when buying secondhand. Whether you’re starting with one or slowly building a small collection, the charm of tennis racket decor comes from mixing pieces that feel collected over time rather than purchased all at once.

Why Tennis Racket Decor Works in a Collected Vintage Home

Tennis racket decor works so well because it blends history, function, and personality in a way that feels collected rather than styled for a moment. Whether displayed in a basket, leaned casually against furniture, layered on a wall, or paired with vintage accessories, these pieces tell a story that goes beyond trends or seasons. Decorating with tennis rackets and other vintage sports finds is a reminder that the most meaningful home decor often comes from what we already love, collect, and remember.

If you enjoy decorating with vintage pieces that feel personal and lived-in, you may also love these collected vintage home decor ideas and styling inspiration ideas.

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