Serve up summer style with vintage tennis racket decor—mantels, centerpieces, a rare umpire chair, and more patriotic ideas for your red, white & blue home!
Vintage tennis racket decor is a fun and creative way to bring sporty nostalgia into your home—especially during the patriotic summer season.
Whether you’re decorating for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day, vintage rackets pair beautifully with red, white, and blue touches like hydrangeas, flags, and farmhouse finds.
From dining table centerpieces to charming wall displays, this post is filled with unique ideas for styling your vintage tennis racket collection.
Why Vintage Tennis Rackets Make the Perfect Collectible for Summer Decor
If you’re a fan of vintage sports memorabilia, vintage tennis rackets are such a fun and easy collectible to start with. You’ll find them at flea markets, antique shops, and thrift stores for as little as $10 to $20. Their wooden frames, colorful handles, and retro charm make them perfect for sports families, tennis lovers, or anyone looking to add a nostalgic touch to their home. Whether you display them in a basket, lean them against a wall, or start building a collection, these vintage rackets are a playful nod to summer pastimes.
Collecting Vintage Tennis Rackets with Family History and Heirloom Charm
One of my favorite vintage treasures is my father’s collection of old tennis rackets, now displayed in a basket in a guest bedroom at our coastal Maine home. My dad was a lifelong tennis player, and he kept playing well into his 80s—a legacy that makes these rackets feel even more special.
Tennis runs deep in our family roots. My uncle, John Conroy, was once a ball boy on the grass courts in Newport, Rhode Island, where he’s 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 memorable gifts he gave me was a Chris Evert–autographed vintage racket—sadly, it was stolen years ago. I sure wish I still had that piece of tennis history today.
Popular Vintage Tennis Racket Brands to Look For
If you’re starting a collection of vintage tennis rackets, you’ll quickly notice certain brands that pop up again and again—and they’re often the most charming and collectible.
These are some of the vintage tennis racket name brands to keep an eye out for while thrifting, antiquing, or estate sale shopping—especially during the summer months!
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You may find more cottage core and summer decorating inspiration in this Cottage Core Inspired by 3 Days Glamping in the Adirondackspost
How to Decorate with Vintage Tennis Rackets for Patriotic Summer Style
Patriotic Dining Room Decor with Red Apples and Vintage Sports Style
Decorating for summer holidays like Labor Day or the Fourth of July doesn’t have to mean all stars and stripes. With a little creativity, you can blend Americana charm with vintage finds to create something truly one-of-a-kind. I styled this vintage-inspired patriotic display in our dining room using two old Wilson tennis rackets I scored at a local barn sale for just $10 each.
Layered over salvaged white windows on our mantel, these wooden rackets add the perfect nostalgic touch. Red faux apples, white hydrangeas, and an old American flag complete the red, white, and blue palette—classic, simple, and summery with just a hint of sporty flair.
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You may discovermore salvaged window decorating ideas in this Salvaged Windows: 19 Vintage Window Decorating Ideas post.
Creative Ways to Decorate with Red Apples for Summer and Patriotic Style:
Vintage Patriotic Table Centerpiece with Hydrangeas and Tennis Rackets
Looking to create an easy patriotic table centerpiece with vintage charm? This red, white, and blue display is one of my favorite ways to celebrate summer holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day. I started with cut white limelight hydrangeas and gently wrapped them in an old, timeworn American flag for a soft yet meaningful patriotic touch.
Next to the bouquet, I placed a vintage tennis racket—a nod to classic Americana and summer sports nostalgia.
To complete the look, I layered in a stack of white farmhouse-style dishes and an antique white tea set, all styled on our rustic dining table surrounded by wicker chairs.
The salvaged windows and red faux apples on the nearby mantel tie the entire space together in vintage red, white, and blue. It’s simple, thoughtful, and easy to bring heritage and personality to your summer table.
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You may also find inspiration in this Red, White, and Blue Centerpiece with White Hydrangeas post.
7 Vintage Patriotic Centerpiece Ideas Using Tennis Rackets
Looking for more ways to decorate with vintage tennis rackets this summer? These creative centerpiece ideas are perfect for celebrating Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, or even Veterans Day with nostalgic charm and red, white, and blue style.
Decorating with a Collection of Vintage Tennis Rackets and Wooden Presses
One of my most cherished vintage collections is a basket filled with my father’s old tennis rackets, each one carrying years of memories. This display adds a warm, nostalgic feel to one of our guest bedrooms, from classic wooden rackets with aged grips to retro metal frames and a few still secured in their original wooden presses.
I recently started collecting and hanging wooden racket presses above the basket as wall decor, creating a layered, gallery-style look that I hope to grow over time. It’s a simple way to celebrate both family history and vintage sports style—and a lovely reminder of my dad’s lifelong love of tennis.
Planning your summer decor? Check out more of my vintage New England summer decorating ideas here:
How to Start Collecting Vintage Home Decor
Are you new to vintage collecting? This beginner’s guide will walk you through what to look for, where to shop, and how to style your favorite finds with an eclectic and personal touch.
The Kitty Cat Tennis Club
Just above the basket of rackets, I hung one of my favorite vintage finds—an antique red-framed print called The Kitty Cat Tennis Club. This whimsical black-and-white illustration features cats playing tennis with parasols at a country club, complete with a poetic caption about winning “bright new pennies.” My mother discovered it years ago at an antique shop, and it now adds the perfect pop of patriotic red and playful charm to the display.
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Vintage Tennis Umpire Chair: A Rare Patriotic Find for Sports-Inspired Decor
I can’t talk about decorating with vintage tennis rackets without sharing this rare and quirky gem—a vintage wooden tennis umpire chair I stumbled upon while Thrifting with the Gals one summer in coastal Maine. It was one of those “drop everything and make it mine” moments. I had never seen one before—and I haven’t since!
This tall, stately chair once stood courtside calling matches, and today it serves as a charming desk chair paired with a tall antique professor’s desk in our Maine home. I leaned a vintage tennis racket still in its wooden press beside it and added a vase of fresh blue hydrangeas on the desk for a true New England-style vignette.
These wooden umpire chairs were once a staple at tennis clubs and country estates, often hand-built or custom-made, with ladder-back designs and wide platforms for viewing the match. Their rarity today makes them a true collector’s piece—and an unexpected conversation starter for any sports-themed or summer-inspired vintage decor.
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See more of the antiquing adventures on the day I found this old tennis umpire chair in this Gifts From Maine: A Day’s Jaunt Antiquing post.
More Patriotic Decor Ideas You’ll Love for Summer Holidays
Looking to add even more vintage-inspired red, white, and blue charm to your home? Here are several patriotic decor blog posts filled with creative ideas for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and beyond.
Simple Fall Styling with Vintage Tennis Rackets
Even in the fall, vintage tennis rackets can add a charming, sporty touch to your seasonal decor. I leaned a pair against a white couch in our sunroom, surrounded by cozy needlepoint pillows—a subtle but playful detail that proves vintage rackets work year-round.
DIY Patriotic Wreath with Vintage Badminton Rackets
One of the cutest front door ideas I’ve made for summer is this patriotic wreath crafted from three vintage badminton rackets, complete with birdies and red, white, and blue ribbon. It’s playful, unexpected, and perfect for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or just showing your love for vintage sports style. You can often find old badminton rackets at yard sales, thrift stores, or tucked away in family garages—just waiting to be turned into something charming.
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Looking for more creative ways to decorate with vintage rackets? On our RV antiquing road trip to Nova Scotia, I found the most adorable blue badminton racket that I later hung on a DIY license plate wall rack in our guest bedroom. It’s a fun pop of summer color and a great example of how vintage sports gear can double as wall art.
Decorating with vintage tennis rackets is a fun and affordable way to add nostalgic charm and patriotic style to your home all summer long. Whether you’re styling a mantel, creating a table centerpiece, or crafting a DIY wreath, these timeless pieces bring personality and history to every space.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Vintage Tennis Racket Decor
Vintage tennis rackets are easy to decorate with—lean them in a basket, hang them on the wall, or incorporate them into a seasonal vignette. Their wooden frames and retro charm make them perfect for adding personality to shelves, mantels, or entryways.
You can often find vintage tennis rackets at thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops, garage sales, and even online marketplaces. They’re usually very affordable—many sell for just $10 to $20—and offer timeless charm for summer decor.
Yes! Vintage tennis rackets look especially striking when paired with red, white, and blue accents like American flags, apples, and hydrangeas. They’re a creative way to style for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day with nostalgic flair.
Try styling tennis rackets in a gallery wall, turning them into wreath bases, or layering them behind seasonal centerpieces. You can also collect them in baskets, hang them from pegs, or prop them beside vintage sporting prints for a cohesive look.
Absolutely—especially if you love vintage sports decor or have a personal connection to the game. From classic wood frames to pressed rackets and rare brands, they’re not only charming to display but also tell a story and add heritage to your space.
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
Love decorating with vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and eclectic charm? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below, share this post with a vintage-loving friend, or join our Reader’s Showcase Series — where we feature your favorite thrifted and antique finds. Email me at [email protected] to be part of it!
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Ann
Such a cute idea.
Thank you Rachel💙❤️