The Best Kitchen Decor for a Charming Vintage Aesthetic

There’s no better way to add charm and charisma to your kitchen than by including a few (or many!) vintage decor items that exude warmth, coziness, and an extremely homey feel. “Recently, I’ve noticed a rise in ‘collected eclectic’ style," says Lindsay O’Brien, the senior category manager of Home & Living at Etsy. "People want their homes to feel less cookie cutter, and more reflective of their unique tastes and interests.”

Vintage kitchen decor is popping up everywhere, and we’re loving the character that unique vintage pieces can add to any space. “At its core, ‘collected eclectic’ style is about slowly building over time, worrying less about how everything fits together, and focusing on items that speak to you,” shares Lindsay. If you’re looking to bring some of this aesthetic to your kitchen, stylish Etsy sellers have both original vintage kitchen decor, as well as handcrafted vintage-inspired kitchen decor pieces that offer personality and a touch of the traditional.

Whether you’re after vintage wall decor for kitchen spaces, items for the minimal vintage-modern kitchen style, or eclectic kitchen decor, our list below has some of the very best finds at every budget to achieve your kitchen goals.

1. Nordic tea towel

SHOP: Nordic tea towel from Softer and Wild, $16

Tea towels are a fantastically quick and easy way to incorporate the vintage look into your kitchen. Whether draped across the range’s handle, or displayed on kitchen hooks, this colorful '70s-style tea towel is a budget-friendly, trendy, and practical accessory for every kitchen.

2. Flower spoon rest

SHOP: Spoon rest from Its mem love, $43

Nothing screams of the ‘70s quite like this floral spoon rest. Your biggest helper while cooking, this addition won’t just be practical but also add some colorful retro vibes to your food prep routine.

3. Croissant poster

SHOP: French croissant poster from We Made Something Nice, from $13

If you don’t want to conduct a whole kitchen overhaul but are looking to incorporate a few vintage-themed items for that homely antique aesthetic, vintage art is the best—and often most economical—way to achieve this highly sought-after look. Start with this French croissant poster—one buyer puts it perfectly when she calls it "vivid, crisp, and overall so fun!"

4. Mushroom mug

SHOP: Mushroom mug from Blue Bird Pottery JPS, from $40

First popular in the ‘70s, and making its appearance sporadically every few years or so, mushroom home decor is both cute and classy, and adds a rustic vibe to your culinary cove—and this adorable mug is no exception. “Vintage and vintage-inspired ceramics are great entry points to start mixing old with the new,” adds Lindsay.

5. Mushroom tea towel

SHOP: Happy mushrooms tea towel from Claire Manning, $15

Leaning into the mushroom frenzy a little bit further, this simply fungi-tastic tea towel will become your favorite way to dry dishes—or display when it’s not in use. This vintage-inspired cotton tea towel is screen printed with adorable smiling mushrooms.

6. Vintage glassware

SHOP: Vintage tulip glassware from Vintage Home Bodega, from $20

Cue the compliments! These gorgeous vintage glasses look like they’re straight from a movie set. Perfect for summer cocktails or a tall glass of water, they look just as good on a modern dinner table as they do on a traditional one. “I’m a firm believer that old and new, rustic and modern, minimal and colorful, can and should live in harmony together,” says Lindsay. “A mix of styles and eras keeps a room from looking too one-note or polished.”

7. Retro orange trivet

SHOP: Large retro charcuterie plate from Doodle Pippin, from $41

In true retro style, this trivet features a bright orange and gray fox flower pattern that was all the rage in the ‘70s. The seller’s original patterns are hand printed in their home studio in Reigate, England, and this platter is made from toughened glass using the ancient Millefiori glassworking technique. The item is ideal for many kitchen uses, and you can also opt to purchase matching coasters.

8. Spice jar labels

SHOP: Custom label for pantry storage containers from Ocean Studio FL, from $12

You don’t need to go all out when it comes to vintage kitchen decor. These quaint spice jar labels—available in sets of 24–96 pre-printed labels, or 8–40 custom labels for your own personal spice choices—prove that less can definitely be more when thinking vintage.

9. Ceramic serving platter

SHOP: Ceramic oval sunrise tray from Strange Joy Studio, $168

Colorfully modern—and with just the right vintage touch—this handmade oval ceramic tray is beautiful enough to keep on display, but also serves as a useful item for serving up your favorite treats. Customers say that the handmade ceramic items from this small shop are “very durable and usable,” and “packaged perfectly.”

10. Polar bear food storage

SHOP: Polar bear ceramic jar with lid from Ryaba Vosh Ceramics, $54

Adorable, useful, and available in eight colors (including white, brown, green, and brown—beautiful antiquity shades), these cute polar bear lidded pots are perfect for sugar, honey, or any other kitchen staples. They’re hand crafted in a small shop in Lutsk, Ukraine, and one enthusiastic customer wrote, “This little guy’s quirky smile makes me smile every time. It is so well made, it is hard to believe it was thrown on a potter's wheel, but it was. Thank you for giving me joy.”

11. A retro coffee print

SHOP: Kettle print from Laura Danby, $29

Art that speaks to your coffee-obsessed soul is a must if you’re looking to create a kitchen that reflects your personality. This iconic mid-century Scandinavian-styled graphic poster will be a bright spot in your kitchen as you slowly but steadily work towards your vintage vision.

12. Cactus sugar bowl

SHOP: Handmade sugar bowl from Pottery Papas, $67

Entirely handmade, this cactus-themed pottery jar with a lid will immediately add a little more character to your kitchen shelves. The desert colors and shape of the jar make it a great addition for your vintage-style kitchen.

13. Vintage pitcher

SHOP: Vintage rooster pitcher from Paper City Interiors, $38

Transport yourself to a different time with this vintage pitcher featuring a rooster on the front along with the words “Good morning.” Whether you use it for creamer or just as a vase, it’ll bring together any brunch table setting holding a mix of vintage and modern finds.

Discover more vintage favorites:

• 6 Vintage Workwear Jacket Styles We Love
• Nemadji Pottery: A History Lesson
• Vintage Glassware: How to Shop the Timeless Trend

Where to buy vintage kitchen decor

The small shops on Etsy are a great place to buy all your special vintage kitchen decor items. The talented creators behind these small businesses not only create these exquisitely vintage-inspired kitchen decor items, but some also collect, restore, and curate genuine vintage pieces, with fabulous collections that provide a truly antique vibe. Make sure to follow your favorite Etsy vintage shops to be the first to know when new vintage kitchen decor items become available.

How do we pick the best vintage kitchen decor?

As Etsy Journal editors and contributors research and curate shopping guides for some of the best-loved items on Etsy, we thoughtfully consider the creativity, customization, and craftsmanship that go into each product. We also consider buyer reviews, item ratings, and customer service, and tap the expertise of our in-house merchandising and trends experts to uncover high-quality finds for every budget. You can find more information about each item in the seller’s listing details and can take a look at their individual shop policies and reviews, too.