How to make your home feel like your favorite antique shop

While our homes are not shops, and therefore are going to have a mismatched jumble of useful, collected, and decorative items (whereas shops contain a more streamlined mass of items), we can still be very inspired by these spaces when it comes to adding a bit of character to our homes.

These are not necessarily new ideas, but more so “I’ve been meaning to do that” or “I forgot about that”… or maybe these will be new ideas to you! Either way, seeing them written out can give these ideas space for tangible action to make them realized in your own space.

Older windowpanes are a treasure to many, and people who appreciate the details of real glass panes with the older wood mullions are my kinda people. Unfortunately not all of us get to live in older houses with this type of charm, so bringing them into our space in one way or another is a great way to add back those details if your apartment is lacking them.

• If your window frame no longer has glass you can add in mirrors to give it a second life and second use around your home while also adding in a little extra character. Sure, this will likely not be your main mirror, but in a hallway or above a credenza in the living room could be a nice way to add extra charm.

• Alternatively, you could also turn a glassless window frame into a rack for hanging things. Grab a few S Hooks from the hardware store and you’ve got yourself a very functional rack! You could hang tin pots for flowers like in the photo above (thrift shops or antique shops usually have tins like these), bags or coats in the hallway, pots and pans in the kitchen, or garden tools if brought outside. Tip: if you want even more space for additional s hooks and hanging things add some chickenwire to the back.

• The ever cherished method of using old windows in the garden to either create a greenhouse if you have enough of them, or to use on a raised veg bed to add in some extra heat or protection to your plants works well too! Note: be mindful of how you position the glass and what’s around it, you don’t want to start a garden fire via too much direct sun exposure.

• Adding old doors, closet bi-folds, windows, or anything alike to an otherwise blank wall can easily add in some interest to a space; especially if you can’t paint it!

• Maybe swapping out your windows isn’t an option, but if you have a blank doorway or are able to swap out your doors (especially your doors inside) bring in an older door to add some charm!

Tip: if you’re going to play around with some of these ideas check a salvage yard or the “free” list on marketplace/craigslist. A lot of the time people need to get rid of these things in a hurry if they’re remodeling so they list it for free.

If you’re not savvy with a sewing machine, but need some (smaller) curtains in a pinch, unused placemats, napkins, and pillowcases can easily be tacked up in a very charming way to cover busy cupboards and small windows.

If you are savvy with a sewing machine, think outside the box before going to a fabric shop! Do you have an old linen top that you’re no longer using? A bit of trimming and a simple stitch or two can turn it into a “privacy screen” quite easily!

My aunt recently sent me a few photos (above) of a little window she covered up in her closet to protect her clothing from getting sun bleached. She used a simple piece of fabric and a few buttons to create the sweetest little curtain! If you’re new to sewing, or don’t want to take on a bigger project, using spare buttons can be a great way to create a loop for a curtain rod or extension bar.

The typical way to display paintings would be to hang them up on your wall, but after moseying around some antique shops I was reminded of a few other fun ways to showcase your beloved works of art.

Layering a shelf or bookcase with favorite items, vases, artwork and of course books can really add some interest to a room. If you have a wall behind (or a back to your bookcase) a really great way to add some extra color or texture is to lean your framed photos or canvases up on the wall behind your displayed items or books. Play around with it, the whole image does not have to be on display. Add some trinkets or smaller items in front of it to create a more dynamic scene like shown above.

If you have a piece of art, but no spare wall space for it, or you want it to sit freestanding, try using an easel or a frame stand. Bonus points if you use an old painters easel with some character, but you can also buy them new and keep them fresh with their natural raw wood or paint them to the color of your choosing.

If none of these resonate with your exact space, but you like the vibe and overall method here, I recommend taking a visit to your favorite shops and picking apart ideas from the displays that resonate and maybe solve a need for your space. Window shopping for inspiration is one of my favorite ways to incorporate new creative ideas into my home, I hope you feel creatively fueled by it too!