Vintage Garden Decor – 34 Inspiring Ideas To Try This Summer

An infographic featuring watercolor illustrations depicting vintage garden decor items including rustic benches, wooden crates, wicker baskets, vintage garden parasols, vintage lanterns, antique sculptures, aged terracotta pots, reclaimed windows and shutters, vintage watering cans, and more.

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1. Antique Birdcages

Old birdcages make fantastic plant holders or hanging decorations when going for vintage garden decor. Fill them with trailing vines or vibrant flowers for a rustic garden accent.

2. Vintage Watering Cans

Two rustic milk jugs with a small bouquet of pink roses on top, a vintage watering can, and a vintage pitchfork sitting among green grass and white wildflowers.

Repurpose antique watering cans as planters. Their weathered look adds a distinctive flair to any garden setting.

3. Rustic Garden Tools

Four rustic garden tools hanging on the side of a rustic wooden shed, with grapevine leaves hanging from the left hand side.

Display aged garden tools on a shed wall or fence. These tools serve as both decor and historical pieces, showcasing the evolution of gardening.

4. Weathered Wooden Chairs

Blossoming white and pink flowers in a terracotta pot sit on top of a weathered cream-colored vintage chair.

Seek out wooden garden chairs with intricate designs. Thanks to their rustic and worn-out look and adorned with colorful flowers, they can become a standout feature in your garden. 

5. Wooden Crates

A couple of potted herb plants and a bouquet of lavender sit on top of two vintage wooden produce crates, one on top of the other.

Use old wooden product crates as planters or storage solutions. Stack them for a tiered garden effect or place them individually around your space.

An infographic featuring ten vintage-style garden products found on Amazon.

6. Enamelware Planters

A vintage enamelware vessel with a turquoise and cream pattern used as an orchid planter sits on a white doilie placed on a rustic brown table; pink flowers in a terracotta pot are seen next to it.

Source: Edit Takács on Pinterest

Transform vintage enamel pots and bowls into unique planters. Their colorful accents will bring a lively touch to your garden and if they’re chipped? Even better!

7. Old Windows and Doors

Rustic white French doors in a green garden, enclosing a rustic table with metal pails filled with plants.

Source: Pinterest

Integrate old windows and French doors into your garden as trellises or decorative backdrops. They add an interesting architectural element.

8. Vintage Linens

A closeup view of a linen fabric with a botanical illustration.

Drape vintage tablecloths and linens over garden tables or use them as picnic blankets. Such vintage-style textiles are sure to add a layer of charm and sophistication.

9. Classic Bird Bath

An antique bird bath surrounded by ferns, purple flowers, and other garden plants.

Source: The Spruce

Install a lovely vintage bird bath to attract feathered friends while adding an ornamental touch to your garden. Place the bird bath in an area overgrown with plants and flowers for a The Secret Garden vibe!

10. Gardening Tool Signage

Two distressed and worn out shovels with the words ‘grow’ and ‘bloom’ written in white paint.

Create signs from reclaimed wood, old metal, or slate. Hand-paint them with welcoming messages or plant names for a personalized touch. And of course, the more patina, the better. 

11. Repurposed Vintage Product Tins

Nine vintage Mutti tomato sauce cans with a different herb planted in each one, place on rustic wooden steps.

Source: Catherine Dam on Pinterest

Use vintage product tins as small planters or containers for garden tools. Their unique designs and colors will add personality and a fun touch to your outdoor space. Vintage product tin planters will look good with a theme, for example tomato tins, tea tins, and so on.

12. Wrought Iron Gate

A partial view of a rusty, decorative wrought iron gate use as a trellis for purple flowers.

An old wrought iron gate can be repurposed as a decorative garden divider or entryway feature.

13. Vintage-Style Jar Lanterns

A vintage-style glass lantern with a brass handle.

Turn good old mason jars into lanterns by adding candles or fairy lights. Hang them from tree branches or place them along pathways for a warm glow. Alternatively, shop for some vintage-style glass lanterns online.

14. Antique Mirrors

An intricately carved blue antique mirror hangs on a red brick all, with green plants in front of it.

Place vintage or antique-style mirrors in your garden to reflect light and make the space feel larger. Ornate frames beautifully enhance the overall aesthetic. Paint the antique mirror a bold color like blue, yellow, or turquoise to make a statement.

15. Rustic Bench

A wooden rustic bench with yellow flowers behind it and colorful potted pansy flowers next to it and lots of green grass and clovers growing all around.

Source: Solas Luna 

Seek out weathered wooden benches for seating. Their natural patina complements garden greenery so beautifully.

16. Vintage Milk Cans

A rustic watering can sits on top of an old milk can, with a metal pail filled with a bouquet of wildflowers next to it.

Old milk cans make excellent bases for outdoor tables or standalone decor pieces, offering both functionality and rustic appeal. Again, patina is a friend here.

17. Terracotta Pots

Various sizes terra cotta pots covered with moss and fungus, with rosemary and other herbs planted inside them.

Source: Worm UK

Age terracotta pots with a mixture of yogurt and moss to create an old-world look. They blend seamlessly into any garden style.

18. Vintage Garden Parasol

Vintage garden decor featuring a white metal table and chairs set, a vintage striped patio umbrella, and lots of green shrubs, all in front of a turquoise-panelled house.

A retro-style patio parasol is the statement piece that will bring together the entire vintage garden aesthetic. If you’re opting for one thing from this list, then a vintage parasol is the way to go.

19. Metal Bed Frame

A vintage patina-covered metal bed frame with succulents planted inside it.

Source: Pinterest

An old metal bed frame can serve as a fairytale bed garden and the headboard and footboard provide a sturdy structure for climbing plants.

20. Antique Fountain

Ferns and other green plants in terracotta pots surround an antique-style gray garden fountain with the head of a lion.

Source: Havetid

Install a vintage-style fountain to add the soothing sound of water to your garden. It serves as a focal point and enhances the overall ambiance.

21. Ceramic Jugs

An orange-colored vintage ceramic jug sits on a small rustic wooden stool outdoors, with green shrubs seen in the background.

Source: AntiqueMonkeys on Etsy

Large vintage ceramic jugs can be used as unique planters or garden sculptures.

22. Wooden Window Boxes

Colorful garden flowers planted in a rustic wooden window box hanging below a window on a cream-paneled home.

Mount old wooden window boxes filled with flowers or herbs. They add color and fragrance to your garden walls or fences.

23. Rustic Cold Frame

A shabby white wooden cold frame with plants inside, situated on top of some plant litter in a green garden.

Use a rustic cold frame as a practical and decorative element. It will protect your plants from extreme weather while looking like a lovely small greenhouse in your garden.

24. Wooden Fence Or Gate

A rustic wooden gate surrounded by shrubs and colorful flowers, with more flowers, trees, and a lawn seen behind it.

Source: Alessandra B on Pinterest

If your outdoor area doesn’t have a fence, consider adding a rustic wooden fence with naturally uneven slats.

25. Old Ladders

Pink flowers climb a dark wooden ladder resting on a tree growing on a bright green grass, with green shrubs behind it.

Repurpose a wooden ladder as a plant stand. Lean it against a wall and adorn it with potted plants for a vertical garden effect. Alternatively, use it as a trellis for climbing plants.

26. Metal Pails

Old metal pails, green potted plants, and vintage gardening tools sit on concrete steps.

Source: princessgreeneye on Etsy

Vintage metal pails can serve as charming planters or water features. Arrange them in clusters for visual interest.

27. Wicker Baskets

Two small pots of rosemary and mint and a small bouquet of white wildflowers sit inside a light brown wicker basket situated on a white rustic bench, with a green shrub behind it.

Source: Dibor UK

Use wicker baskets to create portable planters or storage for garden tools. They will add a natural, rustic texture to your garden decor.

28. Rustic Wooden Birdhouses

Two wooden bird cages attached to wooden poles are surrounded by greenery and flower shrubs; a wooden fence runs along the shrubs.

Rustic birdhouses with intricate designs are a fun way to provide shelter for birds and add a decorative element to your garden.

29. Vintage Sewing Machine

Red roses planted inside a wooden produce crate placed on top of a vintage Singer sewing machine. A white shiplap wall is seen behind.

Turn the base of an old sewing machine into a garden table or plant stand. Its intricate metalwork adds a unique touch.

30. Reclaimed Shutters

A rustic reclaimer shutter hangs on the side of a wooden shed and is surrounded by yellow flowers, climbing ivy, and other green plants.

Mount reclaimed shutters on a wall as decor or use them as a backdrop for a garden seating area.

31. Classic Lanterns

A hexagonal wooden lantern with a white tea light inside sits on a concrete slab, with green shrubs visible in the background.

Source: Dibor UK

Hang vintage lanterns from trees or place them on garden tables. They create a cozy atmosphere, especially in the evening!

32. Old Garden Sinks

An old, white, half-oval garden sink is mounted on a distressed white paneled wall; a wide vintage garden pitchfork is leaning against the sink.

Source: Pinterest

An antique garden sink can be repurposed as a potting station or a water feature, acting as a functional and decorative element.

33. Antique Sculptures

An antique Greek sculpture in white marble surrounded by shrubs of greenery.

Antique sculptures are such a foolproof way to add that old-world charm to your garden. Place your antique-style garden sculptures among green hedges and rose shrubs for a romantic garden vibe.

34. Weathered Signs

A vintage-style wooden custom garden sign reading Le Petit Potager de Charlie on a wooden stick among a green vegetable patch.

Source: minochafamily on Etsy

If you’re trying to recreate a vintage-style garden or patio, then weathered garden signs are an absolute must! Even better, give your vegetable patch or flower bed a personal touch with a custom garden sign.

Vintage Garden Decor – FAQ

Take a look at these frequently asked questions regarding vintage garden decor for even more inspo.

Where to buy vintage garden decor products online?

You can find lots of affordable vintage garden decor products on Etsy, Amazon, Antique Farmhouse, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and lots of other online retailers.

How to create a vintage garden?

Any garden may be made to seem more vintage by adding antique-style garden sculptures, birdbaths, urns, distressed signs, reclaimed shutters, and aged terra cotta pots. For added vintage charm, browse estate auctions, online marketplaces, and flea markets for concrete garden fixtures displaying some chipping and patina.

Conclusion

By incorporating these vintage decor ideas, you can create a garden that is not only beautiful but also filled with character and history. Vintage or antique-inspired furniture and decor items will give your garden or patio that Old-World, European feel.

© 2021 Created with Charlotte’s Vintage