If you’ve ever gone to a thrift store and seen antique items that looked like they held a lot of history, you’re not alone! Usually, vintage items at thrift stores hold unusual, quirky, and remarkable stories, mainly when they date back nearly a century. If you find one of these unique vintage items, you’re lucky! Many of these items were around during a time of historical importance, during the Great Depression, World War, and people following the gold rush.
Milk Glass Dishes
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Grab some milk glass dishes if you see them at a thrift store, and decorate your kitchen and living room! These were immensely popular in the early 1900s, all the way through until the 1950s, and were used for everyday and decorative tableware. They were also popular among florists. Now, they work as a way to blend vintage and modern decor by working as small statement pieces that are also functional.
Cast Iron Skillets
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Cast iron skillets have a long history, dating back to the 6th century BCE! They were made to last generations and were often passed down as heirlooms. If you see one at a thrift store, it’s likely several decades old and has passed through numerous family members. Despite its history, cast iron is a staple of incredibly versatile equipment.
Pyrex Bowls
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Pyrex bowls were first introduced in 1915 and are loved for their durability and colorful designs. If you find one at a thrift store, grab it—it could be worth thousands of dollars! Pyrex bowls are valuable for collectors because of their vintage patterns and designs. Besides being functional, they create a sense of nostalgia.
Rolling Pins with Handles
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Thanks to J.W. Reed, the rolling pin appeared in the 1800s. These hand-carved wooden pins were kitchen essentials before mass production. The handles were vital because they kept the baker’s hands off the dough when making baked goods and other items. They were also personally made to fit the size of the person using them.
Depression Glass
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The Great Depression was a difficult time across America. Depression glass was given away for free to encourage grocery store sales. These pieces of kitchenware are essential, as they helped grocery stores stay afloat during this time. If you find one at a thrift store, pick it up and display it in your bookcase.
Hoosier Cabinets
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Even though you might not use a Hoosier cabinet now, they look great as a focal piece or on display in your kitchen if you want to incorporate more vintage pieces into your home. These self-contained kitchen cabinets with built-in flour sifters were popular in the early 20th century. They made the kitchen more accessible to middle-class homemakers, organized, and straightforward to navigate. If you want to completely reorganize your kitchen or repurpose this for a liquor cabinet, grab it when you see it at the antique shop.
Singer Sewing Machines
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Sewing used to be a hassle when it was done by hand. But the Singer sewing machines revolutionized home sewing; treadle versions are still found in antique shops. These originated in Scotland and made their way to the USA in the 1800s and 1900s. If you find this antique item, grab it, as it’s both functional and acts as an excellent statement piece for a vintage home design. These are incredibly durable, and even if yours is over 100 years old, there’s a good chance it’ll still work correctly
Steamer Trunks
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Travelers used these in the 1800s and early 1900s on trips by stagecoach or train. They were often adorned with stickers from different countries to showcase people’s travels and the souvenirs they collected. It all started with traveled Jenny Lind, who had a unique truck style while traveling. If you find one at an antique shop, there’s a good chance it’s well-traveled and holds a lot of interesting stories!
Victorian Calling Card Holders
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These originated in France in the 18th century and were initially made from various materials, including silver, agate, and gold. These were held social calling cards, a staple in upper-class 19th-century households to announce one’s arrival. Finding one of these at an antique shop is notable since there’s a chance it once introduced someone’s arrival during the Victorian era.
Stained Glass Windows
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These look incredible as statement focal points in your home. They hold a ton of history and originated in Rome and Egypt. Many stained glass windows were once salvaged from old European churches and homes during the medieval period. Each piece likely tells a story of craftsmanship. If you find stained glass windows at an antique shop, find out where they originated. Chances are, i
Tin Wind-Up Toys
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Wealthy aristocrats used to have tin wind-up toys. They were popular in the early 20th century, crafted with hand-painted details and mass-produced. While you’ll unlikely find a tin wind-up toy from the 15th century, you might still find ones from the 19th and 20th centuries. Besides, these look great as statement vintage pieces in your living room.
Marbles
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It’s likely you played with marbles when you were a kid! These are a childhood staple dating back to ancient Rome but mass-produced in the late 1800s. Initially, they were made of glass, stone, and clay, and in ancient times, likely originated from pebbles. They come in various designs and colors and are a great vintage item to add to your living room. Place them in a mason jar or glass bowl to put them on display.
Teddy Bears
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These cuddly bears hold a ton of history. Theodore Roosevelt inspired them first in 1902 after a hunting trip Roosevelt took. Initially, a cartoon depicted Roosevelt refusing to shoot a bear, and eventually, the Teddy Bear was born. You’re in luck if you find an original Teddy Bear at a thrift store! These symbolize the importance of wildlife and mutuality between humans and animals.
Dollhouses & Miniatures
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These were created in Europe in the 1500s to showcase the miniature possessions of wealthy people. They were often handmade and detailed to reflect the era’s fashions. Household accessories and miniature furniture were also displayed in these dollhouses. If you find an original dollhouse, you can display it in your modern living room! Thanks to their naturally vintage style, these make great statement pieces.
Metal Pedal Cars
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These were popular from the 1920s to the 1960s. They were often modeled after actual automobiles to look precisely like full-sized cars. Kids during this era loved playing with them in their living rooms. These vintage pieces work well as decorations, especially when paired with other vintage pieces like vintage movie posters or antique pieces of furniture.
First Edition Books
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Even though we live in an abundance of books, first-edition books are highly sought after for their rarity, especially classical literature. You’re lucky if you spot one of these at an antique shop! Hold onto these since they’re worth a lot of money. They also look fantastic on display in your home, bookshelves, or nightstand.
Cigar Bands & Labels
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You don’t have to smoke cigars to put them on display in your home! These were once collected for their ornate designs in the early 1900s and are still collected today. If you find a ton of cigars, you can put them all on display on a glass shelf and mount them to your wall for a unique and quirky design.
Vintage Advertisements
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There’s nothing as vintage as framing a quirky advertisement from the 1950s! These advertisements are typically pulled from newspapers and magazines and showcase old products and marketing styles. You might find advertisements for Coca-Cola and other brands if you’re lucky. If you’re going for a futuristic design, frame these with golden frames and create a gallery wall.
Cameo Brooches
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Elegant jewelry is very valuable, especially jewelry dating back centuries. Brooches, for example, are often carved from shell or stone and can date as far back as the 16th century! Workers used to use stone because of the high demand for brooches. You can wear or display one in your living room. if you find one
Pocket Watches
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Pocket watches were a status symbol in the 19th and early 20th centuries; if you were wealthy enough to wear one, it meant something. They were popular until World War I when wristwatches took over. Even if you don’t need to carry around a pocket watch nowadays, you can always use one as decoration in your living room. They look great on display in glass boxes or shelves next to greenery.
Fascinator Hats
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If you want to go full-on vintage with fashion from the 1920s to the 1950s, the best way to do this is to look for fascinator hats. These tiny, decorative hats were worn by women several decades ago. The Queen of France popularized them in the 1700s, and they stayed with women’s fashion for another couple of decades.
Silk Hand Fans
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These silk hand fans have multiple purposes. They were used for both cooling and communicating in the Victorian era. All you had to do was hold it and fan yourself to cool down while also looking fashionable! If you don’t want to use a silk hand fan, you can also secure it to your wall and use it as decoration.
Kid Gloves
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If you want to get a gift for your kids, look for vintage kids’ gloves. These were necessary for formal wear in the 1800s and early 1900s, and while they might be outdated, they make great fashion statement pieces! You can also decorate them on your wall or in your living room.
Rotary Telephones
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While most rotary telephones are likely not working correctly, they make wonderful decoration pieces for retro-futuristic homes. Once a household staple, they are now a nostalgic relic. Almon Brown Strowger invented the rotary telephone in 1852, developing it to bypass human operators. If you find one in a bright color, you can use it as a focal point in your room. Make sure you use neutral-colored trinkets and other items around it to give it a cohesive look.
Phonographs & Gramophones
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In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph; in the 1880s, Emile Berliner invented the gramophone. These were early record players that brought music into homes. Thanks to these two scientists, you can blast music from the speakers in your living room! You’ll find one at an antique shop that works appropriately if you’re lucky. Otherwise, use it as a decorative statement piece.
Flashbulb Cameras
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Before flashbulb cameras, you could only take pictures during the day. However, when they came around in the 20th century, they changed the history of photography. These are a 20th-century innovation that made photography more accessible. If you love photography, finding one at an antique shop is a great way to showcase your passion. You can display it in a glass shelf box with more modern cameras.
Film Projectors
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You might remember the time before digital screens! If you do, you’ll be able to recognize film projectors while shopping at antique shops. These were previously used for home movies and educational films. Even though they’re outdated and replaced by something more practical, it doesn’t mean they don’t make incredible decorations!
Milk Bottles
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You can get creative by using milk bottles as decoration in your home. These were once delivered to doorsteps before cartons became the norm! You had to wait for the milkman to arrive and deliver your milk. You can collect them, fill them with colorful flowers, marbles, or plants, and space them throughout your living room.
Carnival Glass
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Once called iridill, this Iridescent glassware was given away as prizes at fairs and carnivals. It makes terrific decorations in a modern home. If you find one at an antique shop, it came from a carnival decades ago and might even have a story behind it! In your living room, you can fill it with flower petals, beads, coins, or keys.
Skeleton Keys
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You can create a vintage wind chime using skeleton keys. These are used to open old locks and doors and are often collected for their intricate designs. They might remind you of the keys you’d see in a horror or witch-theme film! If you find these at an antique shop, purchase a few of them to use as decoration.
Ration Books
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These were once issued during wartime to control the distribution of food and goods so people wouldn’t stock up on coffee, meat, sugar, flour, and other goods. While they’re not worth anything, you might find them in antique shops. When framed, these make unique gallery art wall pieces.
License Plates
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A fun and quirky way to create statement pieces in your home or create a gallery wall is to collect random license plates you find at antique shops! Early plates were made from leather, porcelain, and later metal. France introduced them in the 19th century, and they eventually made their way to the USA. Seeing how many you find and displaying them is a fun DIY project.
Gas Station Signs
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Collect gas station signs and hang them around your home for a funky neon display! You might find shops featuring now-defunct brands like Sinclair and Texaco. These have changed throughout the decades. They started as minor signs near the ground and moved to large porcelain signs. They also changed as the prices and demand for gas have evolved throughout the years.
Railroad Lanterns
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Railroad lanterns have evolved throughout the years, with the development of different lantern types, colored globes, and signal systems. Railway workers once used them for signaling before electronic communication developed. These are fun items to collect and display on your outdoor patio.
Coin-Operated Machines
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Make a unique and fun statement piece in your home by incorporating coin-operated machines, from fortune tellers to penny arcade games. At one point, these entertained visitors in the early 20th century. They were first introduced in London, England, in the 1880s, eventually gaining worldwide popularity.