Those who have ever paid attention to office decor in independent movies know that they all usually have one thing in common: they’re vintage. Take The French Dispatch by Wes Anderson, for example. The characteristic yellow walls, old-style telephones and cabinets, and the semi-worn-out wooden desk all add to that overall nostalgic vintage office decor aesthetic.
In this post, I will provide 23 essential vintage office decor items for all those wanting to achieve that retro-style look in their office or home office.
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Vintage office desks are an absolute must when transforming an office into vintage style. An antique-style or vintage office desk is often made from high-quality materials, like solid wood mahogany or oak, so they’re expected to serve for years to come.
For example, this mid-century Kroehler desk found on Etsy is made of wood and was crafted in the 1960s. The desk features a sleek design with a rectangular surface and four dovetail drawers, providing ample workspace for various office tasks. In my opinion, signs of age here and there, such as some minor scuffs, only add more of a vintage character to this piece of furniture.
What’s the purpose of having a wooden vintage desk in the office without a vintage swivel chair? It’s another must-have, and thankfully nowadays it’s possible to get one without even stepping outside. Take this banker’s desk chair from OSP Home Furnishings or this absolutely unique cane back leather desk chair found on Etsy.
Whether to be used on a day-to-day basis or act solely as a decorative piece, a rotary phone is essential when furnishing an office space in the vintage style. It will make the room look like a time capsule just on its own.
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There are plenty of choices available on online marketplaces, from used to new vintage-style rotary phones. It’s important to decide what type of vintage you want to go for. If it’s more of a mid-century-inspired office, then this 1960s classic dial telephone will be perfect. While in the case of older vintage offices reminiscing the 1920s or earlier, it would be best to go for an 1892 Eiffel Tower-inspired rotary phone.
I know that nowadays quill pens aren’t necessarily the most practical option for an office, so to compromise, I want to suggest a classic fountain pen. Since the first fountain pen was patented by Romanian inventor Petrache Poenaru in 1827, I think we’re on the safe side when it comes to it being vintage enough.
Fountain pens are super nostalgic, and nostalgia is obviously an indispensable part of vintage office decor. I have found this Scriveiner fountain pen on Amazon, but there are so many options you could spend an entire day or two browsing for the perfect one.
If working at a vintage desk and sitting in a vintage banker’s chair, then why not store paperwork in a vintage-style filing cabinet? It could be used to keep notes, papers, supplies, or anything else that doesn’t need to be in view. I’m talking about something like this vintage desktop filing cabinet, but it might as well be a different one – it all depends on the overall vintage aesthetic of the office.
Now, this (in my opinion) is an undisputed must for those wishing to create a vintage setting in their office. An old-fashioned hourglass is usually more reminiscent of the 19th century and earlier. However, if you’re a fan of, let’s say mid-century vintage, then this unique piece found on Etsy would be perfect. Of course, for lovers of the classic hourglass design, I would recommend this wood and brass hourglass timer.
Some may consider the iconic green banker lamp a home decor cliche, but I strongly disagree. There are some pieces that are just timeless and I consider it one of them. I am definitely getting one myself once I actually move my home office to a separate room rather than just a corner in the living room (but I’m happy for now😊).
The great thing about banker lamps is that they will fit any vintage office decor, from early 20th century all the way to the 1990s. A testimony to the fact that banker lamps haven’t gone out of fashion is their omnipresence on online marketplaces. They can be found on Amazon, Etsy, 1st Dibs, and many other sites.
Vintage posters are always fun and they instantly add a vintage aesthetic to any room, whether it be the living room, kitchen, or even bathroom. And the same goes for offices. Putting up one or a few vintage posters on the wall will immediately make the space feel retro. I found this wonderful vintage secretary poster on Etsy and I think it’s a perfect addition to an old-style office.
There is something so retro and nostalgic about old vintage globes, I can’t even explain it. Most likely this is a result of watching old movies (James Bond movies for example) where a floor globe usually served as a bar cabinet. If you’re interested in a vintage floor globe, try Etsy.
Whether you staple things on a regular basis or just on occasion, a stapler is a necessity for every office. A vintage stapler is one of those charming relics from that you just can’t go wrong with whe recreating a retro-style office.
For a mid-century style office, this 1960s Swingline stapler is a good place to start. Whereas for even older-style office decor, I suggest going all the way and getting something like this 1900s cast-iron stapler (in working condition!).
Here is an object that may not carry a function, but acts as a gorgeous statement piece: a vintage typewriter. For those who enjoy the tactile experience of typing or for writers seeking inspiration from the past, a typewriter can be a functional and creativity-stimulating tool.
Across the web, there are plenty of options to find vintage typewriters, ranging from really old ones from the 1920s–1940s to some newer ones from the 1990s. For example, this 1930s L.C. Smith Corona super speed typewriter is a total charmer.
Sadly, very few of us use traditional maps nowadays to locate some city, country, sea, or ocean because we all have our smartphones to do that for us. But aren’t old maps so fascinating and mysterious? Next to vintage posters, a vintage-inspired office should include an old map, whether only for decorative purposes or their functionality.
I think that this 1630 world map is definitely worth giving a deeper look, and so is this United States executive wall map. And for those who aren’t fans of maps, antique old-book prints should be a great choice, and there are so many options – industrial, architectural, botanical, and more.
Though most of us resort to our phones to check the time, a nice and simple wall clock is always a convenient option. Here, we can go for either a round vintage-inspired wall clock or a pendulum-driven longcase clock (grandfather clock) which is a bit pricier. Any clock will do in this case, even a small desk alarm clock, as long as it’s vintage or vintage-looking and suits the office’s overall style.
Window blinds or curtains (or both) can add so much coziness to an office interior. Especially vintage ones, like wooden blinds or mini blinds (those that were popular back in the 90s).
Again, internet marketplaces come to our rescue, providing plenty of choices. Wooden blinds will work for the more antique-inspired offices as well as those modeled after 1940s and 1950s, all the way to the 1980s. I recommend plastic mini blinds for the more modern vintage offices from the 1990s.
The modern ceiling fan as we know it today was invented in the late 1800s by German-American engineer Philip Diehl. Working for the Singer Sewing Machine Company at the time, he was tasked with finding a way to power a sewing machine using electricity. He eventually came up with the idea of using an electric motor to power a ceiling-mounted fan, which he patented in 1882.
Today, the ceiling fan is recognized as a vintage home decor element and is widely used in both vintage and modern interiors. I cannot imagine an old-fashioned office without one.
Just like many other things on this list, there’s a wide variety of vintage-inspired ceiling fans available online, to suit all vintage interior styles.
Invented in the 1960s, a vintage electronic calculator is a must-have only for mid-century and later-inspired offices. However, even more vintage spaces can opt for an abacus. Proudly displayed on an old-fashioned office desk, both will add yet another retro touch to the overall space.
To me, the wooden block calendar emanates vintage office decor. There is an ambiguity as to when it was actually invented, but I can reassure you it was long enough ago to be deemed vintage. I mean, the very first perpetual calendar was invented in 1762 by English watchmaker Thomas Mudge, so I’m pretty sure we’re safe here.
Nowadays, many different models can be found across the internet, like this Juvale one. Another option is to go for a vintage-style wall calendar.
I don’t care what anybody says, I still stick to the traditional planner for keeping track of all my tasks and appointments. It helps me stay organized and I feel like I have more control over my time.
Those who aren’t fans of using traditional planners can just pretend and get one to sit on their desk as decoration. I especially liked this simple leather cover planner from Artfan, but there are plenty of choices out there.
While not entirely a decor item, I think there’s no question about it – every vintage office must have wooden wall panels. The only thing to consider here is the vintage office style. I would suggest doing research on the type of wall paneling used in your desired time period and going off of that.
Who doesn’t like to listen to music or podcasts while working? The best way to do it in a vintage-inspired office is via a vintage radio, of course. Here, the choices are very broad – there are many retro or retro-inspired radios out there, making it possible for everyone to find a piece that suits them. This could be a really old 1930s radio or a 1980s transistor radio.
The use of a magnifying glass goes back all the way to the 13th century. It’s one of those objects that hold a lot of vintage nostalgia to them and I think it’s a good choice for vintage office decor. Whether used for its function or just as a decor element, it’s an iconic vintage piece that won’t take up a lot of space but still look good on your desk.
Though mostly associated with hotels and reception desks, I wanted to include a call bell on this list due to its timeless retro feel and look. It will probably solely serve as decoration, but what a nice one, isn’t it? There are a variety of brass call bells to choose from across the internet and I particularly liked this Victorian counter service desk bell.
This one may come as a surprise to some, considering the fact that smoking indoors is no longer allowed in most countries. However, I suggest placing one on the desk just to add a vintage touch to the room.
This Sizikato amber crystal glass ashtray is just one of the hundreds available online, so just like with many of the items on this list, the possibilities are endless. They can also be found at flea markets and thrift shops.
For even more clarification on the topic of must-have vintage office decor items, let’s take a look at the most commonly asked questions.
A vintage office desk is definitely a basic furniture requirement when it comes to vintage office decor.
Start by replacing some modern items and furniture with vintage pieces, such as a vintage office desk, chair, curtains, or blinds. On top of that, remove anything that looks too modern and add more vintage elements such as a rotary phone, a retro filing cabinet, or an old lamp. Smaller vintage accents are also important, including an old-fashioned calculator, stapler, hourglass, or clock. If it’s possible, incorporate wooden panels or board and batten, depending on the type of vintage decor.
Rotary phones, vintage wooden desks and swivel chairs, old calculators, ceiling fans, floor globes, old-style filing cabinets, banker lamps, and typewriters are among the essential vintage office decor items.
I hope I have inspired those wishing to give your offices a vintage makeover. Of course, not all of the above items are absolutely necessary and it all depends on the particular period we’re trying to emulate. I would also suggest adding any vintage knick-knacks close to your heart – in my case, for example, they’re glass cloches, cages, and 19th century/colonial-inspired figures. Add anything that suits your aesthetic to create a wholesome vintage office that will promote a creative working environment for years to come.
