How to Get Organized With Vintage Finds

How to use vintage finds to organize your home in style. 

Forget organizing with basic plastic bins and canvas totes.  Vintage is the way to go! 

Decorating with vintage decor is a wonderful way to add history, character, interest, and a touch of uniqueness to your home.   It's also a fantastic way to get your home organized in style.  

I use vintage items all throughout my home, but today, I wanted to share how I use some of my favorite pieces for storage and organizing.  

From large oak card catalogs to small antique crocks, vintage and antique items are perfect for getting your home organized in style. 

What are the best vintage items to use for organizing? 

- Card catalogs

- Suitcases

- Lockers

- Canvas laundry totes

- Lidded jars and canisters

- Metal locker baskets

- Crocks 

- Metal milk crates 

- Wood boxes

WHERE TO SHOP FOR VINTAGE STORAGE ITEMS? 

- Antique shops and malls

- Vintage markets

- Auctions

- Flea markets

- Thrift Stores

- Yard sales 

- Church sales

- Estate sales

- Facebook Marketplace

- Etsy

- Ebay

- Upsclae curated online marketplaces (Chairish, 1st Dibs) 

- Vintage Keepers 

- Instagram 

how to get organized with vintage finds! 

1. CARD CATALOGS 

Antique card catalogs seem to be getting harder to find (at least affordable ones!), but if you're persistent in searching auctions and/or Facebook Marketplace you have a good chance of snagging one for a great price.  Even if you have to pay retail, they're definitely worth the splurge.

I have two card catalogs in my home (one in my office and one in the basement) and use them to store and organize small craft supplies, furniture hardware, and extra printer ink.  They're the perfect combination of stylish and practical. 

2. VINTAGE SUITCASES 

A stack of vintage suitcases is great for styling under a bench, entry, or console table and are perfect for storing extra linens, textiles, and off-season clothes.  You could even place a stack of vintage suitcases in an office or craft room and fill them with craft supplies. 

3. LOCKERS

I'm such a sucker for a good set of lockers.  I have two sets in my own home and often sell them in my vintage booth and at markets.  

The set in my mudroom is used to store riding gear, sweatshirts and winter hats, and gloves.  In the summer I swap out the winter items for beach towels, goggles, and pool toys.  The large locker set in the basement is used to organize board games, toys and extra craft supplies. 

4. CANVAS LAUNDRY TOTES

I have multiple vintage canvas laundry totes around my home and love using them for storage.  For years, I've used one to corral shoes by the mudroom door and it's been such a great storage solution.  I also use vintage laundry totes to store packing supplies and Owen's nerf gun collection.  Toys just look so much nicer when they're in a vintage storage bin.

Functional and Stylish Vintage Office Updates

5. VINTAGE JARS AND CANISTERS

Vintage jars and canisters with lids are perfect for bathroom and pantry organizing.  From storing and organizing bars of soap, cotton balls and q-tips to baking and cooking essentials.  Vintage clear canisters double as beautiful decor and storage. 

6. METAL LOCKER BASKETS 

A few years ago, I bought 30+ vintage metal locker baskets from Facebook Marketplace.  I sold most of them but kept about 8 to use throughout my home.  I primarily use them to organize snacks and food in the pantry, but they can be found all over my home. 

7. VINTAGE CROCKS AND PLANTERS

Small vintage crocks are so versitile.  I primarily use them as planters, but the smaller ones are ideal for organizing kitchen utensils and office/craft supplies.  

7. METAL MIlK CRATES 

Old metal milk crates are ideal to use for storage due to their durability and ability to be stacked.  They're also wonderful for doubling as decor and storing extra blankets and pillows.  

8. VINTAGE WOOD CRATES 

Just like metal milk crates, old wood crates are a fantastic vintage items to use for organizing.  They often have great graphics, beautiful dovetail joints and you can find them in various styles and sizes. Small vintage cheese boxes are ideal for desk and countertop organizing, while larger crates can be used to organize pantries and linen closets.  

Are you looking for more ways to incorporate vintage items into your home decor?  You can read more vintage decorating tips and ideas HERE. 

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