32 Charming Vintage Garden Decor Ideas You Can DIY

Nothing makes me smile quite like vintage garden decorations and ideas. Below I am sharing some incredible ideas for how to turn vintage items into statement pieces in your lawn or garden. From stuffing old buckets with dirt and flowers to turning an old chair into a succulent planter, this list has something beautiful for every garden you can imagine.

Vintage Garden Decor Ideas

If you are looking for a way to add flowers to a small or large space and keep the extra style in the process, vintage or retro looks are the way to go. I love using wooden barrels, baskets, old sinks, old bed frames, and of course, all of the rusty or weathered items like old milk jugs and doors. These are great ways to build a unique look that you won’t find in any other garden but will fall in love with seeing on your own.

Where Can I Find Vintage Items for My Garden

If you don’t have some old items already on hand, then you need to start looking! I love going to yard sales, estate sales, and flea markets. Sometimes you’ll find items in a local thrift shop that fit the vintage style also.

Of course, right now going out and shopping isn’t always easy, so I like to find stuff online when I can. In this instance, my go-to shopping place is Etsy. There are always people selling updated thrift items or their own vintage collections. A few of my current favorites are below.

Antique Wire Frame Chair with Antique Plates

This wooden fence is made vintage with a few antique pieces. The wire-framed chair lacks cushions but instead holds a beautiful planter filled with light pink flowers and greenery. The naturally growing ground covering surrounding the chair adds to the appeal of this look. Above the chair on the fence are a few simple pink and green themed antique plates and signs.

Source: A Cultivated Nest

Old Ice Cream Freezer Planter

I love how this gardener used an antique ice cream freezer to add lovely red and pink accents to their deck. This, alongside an old oak barrel, became unique flower pots that add both beauty and function in a vintage style.

Source: Organized Clutter

Upcycled Sewing Desk Planter

An old sewing desk is easily turned into a beautiful planter. Add a basket of flower pots beneath the desk on a low rack. On top of the desk, a reclaimed piece of wood is the perfect place to place a simple wooden window planter filled with flowing purple and white flowers and lush greens.

Source: e-interjeras.lt

Vintage Bucket Garden on Steps

I love how this gardener decorated their steps with simple flower pots made from vintage items. On the top step, they used a broken terra cotta pot to create a fun vintage styled fairy garden. The second step includes an antique bucket with a cute little fairy garden banner and lovely purple flowers. The bottom step has a vintage decorative planter with the continued fairy garden style of purple and white flowers alongside white pebbles.

Source: The DIY Mommy

Antique Bucket Tipsy Planter

These floating planters utilize vintage buckets to create a fun statement piece that also doubles as flower pots for your favorite plants. A large galvanized bucket on bottom is the base for this topsy turvy or tipsy style design.

Source: The Pink Hammer

Hanging Antique Washtub Planter

That old galvanized washtub is perfect for hanging above a lawn or garden using a planter hook or even a hook for a bird feeder. Fill the bottom half with soil and flowing plants for a beautiful look that adds life to your garden or walkway.

Source: RE-Scape Facebook

Thrifted Vintage Garden Tour

This video shows a tour of an entire vintage garden from start to finish. I love that this shows the start when they removed old weeds and trees down to the little accents that add color and vibrancy to space.

Galvanized Washtub Climbing Trellis

This antique washtub is combined with a simple trellis for a lovely climbing garden. Accents around the planter include antique watering cans to add life and style to the area. You could easily add additional flowers growing from the watering cans if desired.

Source: Fine Gardening

Vintage Wooden Wheel Barrow Planter

Use this old wooden wheel barrow into a wonderful plant stand. This is perfect for holding any number of flower pots including antique wash barrels, antique watering cans, and even old milk jugs.

Source: Organized Clutter

Rusty Antique Wheel Barrow Filled with Flowers

Another fun idea for traditional metal wheelbarrows that are rusty, is to simply fill them with dirt and flowers. This is a great little addition to any space, but is also great for growing flowers without worry of weeds or grass interfering.

Source: Home BNC

Rustic Birdhouse and Milk Jug Garden Accents

Classic old wooden birdhouses and a few empty and slightly rusty milk jugs or galvanized buckets are a great accent in any lawn or garden. Add them to a fence railing or around a tree to add a fun vintage look.

Source: Organized Clutter

Antique Doorknob Herb Drying Rack

Gather old rusty vintage doorknobs and attach them to your reclaimed wood walls. These are ideal for hanging herbs and flowers to dry for future use, or even just as a lovely decor alongside a fresh floral wreath or even bouquet.

Source: Little Rusted Ladle

Mason Jar Twinkle Lights

One lovely way to add light to your lawn and garden is to use beautiful twinkle lights inside old rustic mason jars. Add the lights inside through a drilled hole in the lid, then hang from an awning, rails, or even a pergola.

Source: Weddbook

Rustic Wire Mannequin Planter

Add an old vintage mannequin inside a planter for a lovely unique and vintage look. This, alongside light wildflowers and babies breath makes a stunning accent in any lawn or garden.

Source: Eden Makers Blog

Stacked Vintage Buckets and Barrels

Sometimes, all you need is to stack things up together to make them look amazing. Add a few accent flowers or some greenery here and there, and you have a great statement piece in your garden that brings your love of all things vintage together.

Source: Blogspot

Rusty Bed Frame Railing

An old rusty bed frame surrounded by trailing vines and greenery is sometimes all you need to turn your garden into a vintage oasis. This is a great way to upcycle something that would otherwise become trash.

Old Window Vintage Planter

This video is a perfect tutorial for how to make a fun vintage window planter box using an old window and reclaimed wood along with your favorite plants. I love the basic greenery in this one, but you could easily add any flowers you wanted to this and turn it into a beautiful planter with tons of color.

Vintage French Picnic Garden Decor

A classic white table with one wicker chair, one metal chair, and a beautiful round mirror is a great way to accent a garden area. An old wooden bench and some lanterns along with beautiful flowing greenery and rose vines make this an ideal vintage garden design.

Hanging Wooden Fruit Boxes

Add a few flowers and some rustic twine elements to these old wooden fruit boxes and hang them alongside a garden gate, fence, or even house wall to create a cute vintage look that you’ll love. This option also includes some moss below along the

Grown Up Vintage Tea Party Garden

A table with vintage cloths and a rustic old birdhouse make for the perfect location to have a classic tea party outdoors. Add a wooden bench in a vintage pastel color or weathered look to complete the setup. A few sprigs of fresh flowers on the table bring this look together.

Source: The Enchanted Cove

Vintage Garden Shelf with Wicker Chair

Another simple layout for adding beauty against a fence line is this fun little accent table with chair. I love how they added those vintage water pitchers, kettles, and antique canisters to make this vintage design pop.

Source: Vibeke Design

Vintage Statuary with Rustic Planters

There is nothing more vintage than an old statue in a garden. This is a beautiful addition to a rustic gazebo or greenhouse. This goes perfectly with old ceramic or galvanized planters.

Source: Modern Country

Stacked Shelf Garden

Sometimes, all you need is a few vintage fruit boxes, a small ladder, and some antique planters to create a vintage garden. This is great for a small space where stacking your planters is necessary for keeping things confined. You can still create a stunning garden with only a few items and some of your favorite succulents or greens.

Source: Pith & Vigor Blog

Vintage Drawers Upcycled Into Planters

Sometimes an old dresser or wardrobe isn’t able to be saved, but the drawers are still in good shape. Add some soil and stones, then create a beautiful succulent planter. Stack them together randomly to make them look more like a flowing waterfall of plants, and you have a gorgeous vintage styled garden.

Source: Design Sponge

Succulent Chair Planter

An old vintage chair can be turned into a fun little planter by removing the cushions. Add a moss planter to the seat and secure with some chicken wire or twine and then put your favorite succulents all around to create a beautiful little addition to any garden space.

Source: Garden Therapy

Red Radio Flyer Wagon Planter

I will never forget the old radio flyer wagon my dad had from his childhood. I love the idea of pulling it into a garden space and adding a ton of my favorite flowers to create a gorgeous garden that can be pulled anywhere in the yard. This one is super cute as a fairy garden design! I love how pretty it is and how versatile you could make your own.

Source: Flea Market Gardening

Vintage Outdoor Decor Tour

This video showcases not just one or two ideas, but an entire vintage garden setup with little accents around the outdoor space. Whether it’s old hanging storage with antique pictures or a stunning vintage flower pot setup, this is a great idea video for your own garden.

Vintage Scale Planter

I am absolutely in love with old vintage scales, and this one is the perfect one to hang in a corner of your garden or deck and add a few flowers. Just dump some dirt into the scale and add your flowers. A perfect addition to any garden or porch.

Source: The Old Blue Bucket

Vintage Planter Wall Hangings

Old wood and galvanized boxes and planters are added to a house or barn wall and filled with small potted plants. This is a rustic and easy to make design that utilizes antique items while bringing life with new flowers.

Reclaimed Door and Table Bar

A fun addition to any outdoor space is your own little mini-bar. This reclaimed door, small table, and shelf combination is a perfect way to add a vintage element to a porch or gazebo. Adding a small bucket of ice below is perfect for keeping drinks chilled. This is especially handy for creating an outdoor drink station for parties or even a wedding.

Source: The Garden Glove

Antique Sink Garden Planter

An old sink can be mounted easily on a reclaimed wood pedestal to create a fun addition to any garden space. You can hook up to exterior water sources, or simply use this as a planting station. If wanted, you could add a few flowers inside with some soil and allow the natural drain to be the water drain for the flowers. How beautiful would that be?!

Source: The Art in Life

Old Metal Trough Planter

An old trough from a farm is the perfect planter for your garden! Fill with soil and a few favorite plants or green foliage. I love the idea of using this as an herb garden. It’s a great addition to any lawn or garden.

Source: VHCG

My favorite Etsy Vintage Garden Ideas

French Vintage Lanterns

Garden Lanterns – Etsy.com

Rusty Hippo Lawn Art

Rusty Hippo Lawn Art – Etsy.com

Metal Mailbox or Garden Organizer

Old backpack Mailbox or garden organizer – Etsy.com

Metal Birds on a Branch

Metal Birds – Etsy.com

Vintage French Cast Iron Wall Fountain

French Wall Fountains – Etsy.com

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