How to create a cozy vintage look on a budget
WRITTEN BY KATIE SMITH
Doesn’t fall in Maine feel like a warm hug? So many of us love nothing more than to create a home that reflects the season outside. Maybe it’s the slant of the golden sun or the way the air smells like apples and leaves. It’s the season of baking, cozying up with a blanket and a good book, and bringing warmth back into your home. And the good news is you don’t need a big budget to do it.
Whether you’re craving that old school, New England vibe and want to redo your space with warm plaids, knit pillows, and rustic woods, or you’d like to bring in some amber glass and brass candlesticks to one room, you can’t beat thrifting to get it done on a budget.
Think Local, Layer Slowly
Search second-hand shops for the perfect pieces. If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, scan your favorite magazines or make a Pinterest board. Start with one piece that you can’t live without and build from there. Maybe it’s a perfect buffalo plaid blanket or a carved wood bowl that would look great on your dining room table filled with pinecones. Whatever it is, use that as your inspiration and keep it in the back of your mind while shopping for other pieces.
Wooden Cutting Boards and Bowls
These can be used all year round, but are especially great in the fall. Cutting boards can be displayed in your kitchen against the wall, like a piece of art. And wooden bowls can be filled with all kinds of things from pomegranates, to apples, to birch branches. The good news is that most thrift stores and second-hand shops are loaded with things like this so no need to pay full price.
Candle Sticks for an Instant Glow-up
Candlesticks are so fun, eclectic, and can be found in many shapes, sizes, and colors. The best part is they’re not expensive, they can be painted the color of your choice, and they don’t take up a lot of room so they can be displayed anywhere from a skinny shelf to your kitchen windowsill. Get different shapes and sizes in different heights for an eclectic look. If you’re going for something a little more elevated, opt for matching candlesticks or choose a variety of different ones and paint them all the same color.
Bring on the Blankets
Nothing says cozy like seeing plush blankets thrown over the arm of the couch, spilling out of a basket, or folded at the end of the bed. Here’s where you can have some fun with color and change them as the seasons turn. Local thrift shops and secondhand stores are loaded with all different kinds of blankets so you can find one that will fit your decor.
Display idea: If you have a wooden ladder, drape one over that or layer a few at the end of your bed.
Whether you’re decorating your first home, or just switching out a few pieces for the cozy season, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your home feel like autumn in Maine. Just a little patience and plenty of room in your vehicle.
