Discover real-life vintage decorating ideas from readers of Dabbling & Decorating. Explore inspiring thrifted finds, antique treasures, and unique styling ideas shared by our community. Submit your own vintage decor story and get featured!
Real vintage decorating inspiration from readers just like you—filled with creative, thrifted, and antique home decor ideas submitted by our community.
Looking for more decorating inspiration?
Explore our favorite vintage styling tips and DIY ideas in these posts:
– Vintage and Thrifted Home Decor Gallery
– Thrifting with the Gals Series
– Easy DIY Decor Projects Inspired by Readers
Thrifted and Vintage Decorating Inspiration from You
At Dabbling & Decorating, we’re continually inspired by the vintage, eclectic, and thrifted home decor you share with us. This Reader Showcase is a place to celebrate your creative decorating ideas — whether it’s a favorite antique market find, a charming thrifted DIY, or a cozy corner styled with secondhand treasures. If you’ve been inspired by anything here on the blog or on Instagram, we’d love to feature you!
How to Submit Your Vintage Decorating Ideas
We welcome submissions from readers who love all things vintage, antique, eclectic, and thrifted. Here’s how to share your style with us
Reader’s Showcase Submission Guidelines
Please email photos in JPG format to [email protected]
Tell your story in 2-3 sentences, including your name, contact, blog, and others.
Topics we love: vintage decor, thrifted finds, flea market treasures, antique DIYs, and any decorating ideas inspired by Dabbling & Decorating.
Tag me on Instagram with your photo submissions, too!
Vintage Decorating Showcase Gallery
Click on the photos below to explore our reader-submitted decorating ideas, each one with its own unique story and style.
Janet was inspired to send it after seeing the vintage bathing suit I framed and styled in my blog post, Coastal Wall Decor Ideas: 1920s Women’s Bathing Suit What a joy it is to see how vintage finds and family stories intertwine in such meaningful ways. This one’s a true heirloom and a stunning piece of coastal decor with heart.
At this time they are on her front porch.
Honor the things that make your heart sing. Sharon rehabs & releases squirrels.
Framing Vintage Handkerchiefs: Creative DIY Wall Art Ideas
Beth, in California, has collected vintage hankies for many years and now has a few hundred. She framed several permanently and has a few that she swaps out for holidays and seasons. Beth also has a Vintage Hankie Facebook Group, where she publishes information about hankie designers from the 40s and 50s—inspired by our Coastal Wall Decor Ideas: 1920s Women’s Bathing Suit post.
Cozy Vintage Decor with Four Seasons Furniture and Demijohn Displays
Bonnie showcases her new blue Four Seasons furniture, inspired by this Cottage Farmhouse Decor Trending Finds and Home Ideas post, in her newly styled living room. Bonnie started with a vision board using the paisley material featured on our Vermont living room furniture. Bonnie ordered a love seat and sofa from Four Seasons and accented it with vintage demijohns and coastal touches. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration, Bonnie! Be sure to scroll to see more. And Bonnie is styling her paisley couch, so there will be more to come…
Red Home Decor Inspiration from a Cozy Vermont Home
Inspired by this Red Decor Ideas to Decorate Any Room with Style post, Susan shares her beautiful red touches from her Vermont home. My favorite detail is the collection of red barn paintings paired with the red walls. The white cabinetry, shelving, and desk are perfectly poignant with the winter snow. Susan’s red-painted wall color is called Combustion.
DIY American Flag Made from Vintage Wooden Spindles
Barbara says, “I put the flags into an old thrifted Longaberger basket using some floral foam as a base. I covered the rim of the basket with a patriotic ribbon. And I covered the foam with some bandana scraps. Looks good on the blanket chest with some seasonal books. Inspired by this DIY American Flag Wooden Spindles post.
Vintage Mini Bowling Pins and a Bernese Named Bessy
Heather says: “Mini bowling pins inspired me, and I just got them set up today (ordered from eBay). I also have a beautiful Berner named Bessy. Thank you, and happy hunting!!” Inspired by the post Vintage Turkish Rugs: Elevate Your Living Room Design.
Restoring an 1880s Child’s Rocking Chair | Lori of House on Wren Heirloom Project
“We have a child’s rocking chair that’s been in the family since my 5th great-grandfather made it in 1880. I decided to restore it, and after I removed the paint, I loved the natural wood. I knew Ann did a lot of furniture refinishing, so I asked her what to do next. She suggested I use Howard’s Restor-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax wood polish and conditioner. I love how it brought the wood back to life again!” ~ Lori
Inspired by the How to Refinish a Wood Table in Less Than 1 Hour post.
How Lisa Styled a Thrifted Red Garden Box from a New England Barn Sale
My friend Lisa introduced me to Chandler & Co Barn Sales in Berwick, Maine. There, she found this red garden-inspired vintage box. Now, you see, Lisa loves her retro and modern decor style, but this vintage red garden box looked brilliant on her outdoor patio. An eclectic decor mix for the win here!
Inspired by the Irresistible New England Antique Barn Sale | Budget Friendly post.
Vintage Tulip Arrangement Ideas for Spring: Jane’s Colorful Creations
Inspired by the 35 Simple Tulip Arrangement Ideas for Spring post, Jane recommends visiting one of the Wicked Tulips Flower Farms in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Thrifted Lodge Decor with Heart: Sharon’s Home and Animal Rescue Story
Sharon loves Thrifting with the Gals and supporting her local animal shelter by selling “junk” for the dogs at her local Appalachian Animal Rescue Center in Western North Carolina. Sharon collects for “The Lodge” home that they hold so dear. Thanks for thrifting with us, Sharon!
Thank you to everyone who’s shared their beautiful vintage home decor with us! This growing gallery is filled with reader-submitted ideas that celebrate thrifted finds, antique treasures, and personal styling inspired by Dabbling & Decorating. We hope these creative decorating stories spark new ideas and inspire you to share your own vintage moments too.
Have a vintage decor moment to share? We’d love to feature it next! Scroll back up to learn how to submit your own story.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Vintage and Thrifted Home Decor Gallery. Visit our Thrifting with the Gals series to see more vintage finds in action!
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