Symmetrical Shelf Styling Tips for Vintage Items
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It can be pretty overwhelming trying to decorate with vintage finds. You might see a post on my Instagram with a curated vintage display and want to do it yourself. Here’s the how to formula I use to go from a bunch of retro junk to a beautiful vintage vignette.
Choose a Color Scheme
I like to pick a general color theme but I’m not too picky. This shelf theme is pastel which leaves the door wide open for a ton of different colors. The Vintage Betty Crocker New Picture Cookbook was my inspiration for the color scheme.
The Rule of Threes in Interior Design
Start with a base of three items per shelf. There’s a whole rule of threes in design that I find really works for shelf styling. Arranging items in odd numbers makes it more appealing to the eye. But I love the symmetrical look so I try to make the items on each end as similar as possible.
Stack Items to Add Height
If your vintage decor pieces aren’t the same height, stack other items on top to make them similar height. I stacked my pink Pyrex and Fireking Tulip Bowls on top of each other for a big impact moment. They are some of my most valuable items in my collection and I love having them in a prominent place in my dining room. Check out my blog post on Valuable Vintage Items to Sell and Collect.
The vintage floral trash can up top and the pink gooseberry Pyrex weren’t the correct height to match the other shelf items. I added a pink tin underneath the Pyrex to make it match the tulip bowls. And a green box underneath the trash can to make it the same height as the vintage potato chip tin.
Add a Base Layer for Smalls
I love using small Pyrex dishes and mugs upside down as a base for items. It adds height, color and interest. Some other items you can use are vintage tins and vintage packaging like the Kitchen Charm Waxed Paper box on my shelf. Another easy item to buy and use as a base are stacked vintage books which is on my list of 10 Cheap and Common Thrift Store Items to Add Personality to your Home.
Keep it Symmetrical
You can design asymmetrically and make it look amazing but I prefer my design to be symmetrical. I like to buy items in twos, like my two Tupperware Jello molds, two vintage ice cream boxes and my two pink stands from Target. For little decor pieces I like to buy sets of 2+ like my set of four vintage purple cows on display.
Then I finish the display off with the rule of three. Three vintage cake toppers that are colorful ladies holding cakes! And how perfect that they are standing on a colorful vintage cake tin.
When you look at the shelf you’ll see that by putting one item in the center and then symmetrical items on either side, you always end up with an odd number (Which is what we want!).
My biggest tip is to just throw things on the shelf and see what happens. Maybe it will look terrible at first but you might get a new idea too! I hope this helps and for more decorating tips check out my blog post on Designing as a Maximalist Without Losing Your Mind.
If you’re struggling with decorating your home or feeling overwhelmed, don’t do it alone! You can book a one on one call with me for personalized help with what you’re struggling with. Let’s figure out a solution for you and get your house decorated exactly how you want!
