Introduction
Vintage style decor brings back memories of simpler times gone by. Recreating the charm of an old general store in your home is a fun way to add rustic style and nostalgic flair. From weathered wood walls to antique display cases, vintage general store decor encompasses natural materials, lived-in textures, and merchandise displays. This look taps into nostalgia and has an authentic appeal that contemporary decor often lacks. When done right, vintage general store decor creates a warm, inviting space with loads of character.
Key Elements of Vintage General Store Decor
Bringing general store style into your home or business decor starts with a few key elements:
Weathered Woods
Aged, distressed woods are a hallmark of general store style. Weathered pine plank walls and flooring have an appealing roughness that contrasts with more polished modern interiors. Barn siding and reclaimed wood add to the rustic feeling. Painted signs, wooden crates and barrels, and rough-hewn shelves also capture the vintage general store aesthetic.
Merchandise Displays
General stores were all about displaying merchandise in authentic ways. Recreating these displays gives a space that inviting general store feel. Glass jars filled with candy, vintage tins stacked on shelves, burlap bags piled high, and productsgrouped in wooden crates make for attractive and functional displays. Post signs listing prices or products in a folksy style. Stack merchandise on wooden shelves or in vintage cabinets and hutches.
Old-Fashioned Typography
Vintage signs with painted or stenciled lettering are an easy way to add general store flair. Distressed wood plank signs in an old-fashioned serif font capture the feel. Stenciled lettering, like the kind you’d find on storefront window signs, is another typographic detail that lends vintage style.
Nostalgic Products & Brands
Displaying old-timey products and brands gives vintage appeal. Vintage product tins, medicine bottles, glass soda bottles, packaged candies and baking ingredients, retro toys, and earlier generations of familiar products are all collectible items that provide a sense of nostalgia. Vintage product ads and other advertising memorabilia can accent the space as wall decor.
Baskets, Crates & Canning Jars
General stores relied on wooden crates, baskets, and glass jars to organize and display all kinds of merchandise. Incorporating these items into your decor provides an authentic general store feel. Woven baskets hung from ceilings keep items off the floor. Wire bins and wooden crates store products. Glass jars filled with penny candy sit by the counter. These utilitarian pieces bring both form and function.
Cafe Tables & Mismatched Chairs
The general store environment was casual and communal. Small cafe tables provided spots for patrons to sit and enjoy their purchases while chatting with neighbors. Set up a few mismatched tables and chairs, like repurposed crates and stools, to recreate this casual seating.
Front Porch Appeal
Many general stores had a welcoming front porch with benches or barrels for seating. You can get this inviting vibe with a front porch deck, vintage-style rocking chairs, old painted benches, and fun decorative accents. Create a place to sit back and relax awhile.
Creating Vintage General Store Decor in Your Home
Looking to infuse a space with general store charm? Consider these ideas for your home:
Rustic Kitchen or Dining Area
A farmhouse style kitchen is the perfect place for touches of general store decor. Set up open shelving or antique cabinets for displaying stoneware canisters, glass bottles, crocks, vintage kitchenware and baked goods. Hang a “Grocery” sign and add other vintage touches like an authentic butcher block island or retro brand advertising.
Vintage Coffee Station
Create a charming vintage coffee station in your kitchen or bar area with glass apothecary jars of coffee beans and tea tins. Add a little general store shopkeep counter with a penny jar and stool plus retro signs. Display bakery goods in a glass case or under cake domes.
Nostalgic Home Office
Carve out a little workspace in your home that feels like stepping back in time. Use reclaimed wood for desktops and open shelving. Organize office supplies in labeled glass jars, vintage tins, and cubbies. Tack up vintage product ads as artwork. Display collectible antiques, typewriters, and old-school curiosities.
Kids’ Playroom or Nursery
Add playful vintage general store touches to a kids’ space, like old-fashioned penny candy in jars and apothecary bottles filled with toys. Set up a play shop or schoolroom area with little wooden desks and nostalgic chalkboards. Vintage maps, retro tin toys, and antique games decorate the space with yesteryear charm.
Basement Hangout
Turn a basement into a fun retro-inspired hangout with reclaimed wood walls, vintage movie posters, and curiosities. Set up a seating area with crate stools around a barrel table. Display antique glass soda bottles, tin signs, and found items on shelves. Add a shuffleboard table or other vintage games.
Vintage General Store Decor for Businesses
The popularity of the vintage general store look has influenced interiors for retail shops, restaurants, and other small businesses. Here are some ideas:
Farm-to-Table Restaurant
Using reclaimed wood, cafe tables, and merchandising displays, restaurants can adopt a charming vintage general store vibe. Chalkboard menus, painted signs, burlap and mesh bags filled with produce, and bottles of house ingredients decorate the space.
Specialty Food Shop
Specialty food stores focusing on artisanal and local products are a modern take on the general store. Set up weathered shelving and cabinets to merchandising jams, sauces, baked goods, bulk foods, and locally made items. Vintage packaging, signage, and containers reinforce the old-timey retail feel.
Florist Shop
Create a cute country flower shop with reclaimed wood plank walls, vintage window signage, authentic display cases and hutches, galvanized buckets filled with blooms, and rough wood flower carts. The general store look suits the colorful bounty.
Book Store
Organize books in vintage crates, boxes, or even by color like old five and dime stores. Sit back in cozy vintage armchairs by the window with a cup of coffee and baked treat. Rustic wood floors and reclaimed barn siding on the walls complete the throwback vibe.
Market & General Store
Many new general stores are popping up that blend convenience store offerings like fresh grocery essentials with gift items, home goods, and hardware supplies. The atmosphere taps into vintage style with authentic shelving and cabinets, hanging tins, hand-lettered signage, creaky wood floors, and front porch appeal.
Vintage General Store Decor Elements
Looking to add some key general store components to a space? Consider including some of these details:
Walls & Flooring
- Weathered wood plank walls or barn siding
- Reclaimed wood accent walls
- Salvaged wood paneling
- Distressed wood floors
- Classic hexagonal tile floors
- Woven rugs and braided accents
Displays & Organization
- Rough-hewn wooden shelves
- Glass-front cabinets or hutches
- Vintage display cases
- Wooden crates and fruit baskets
- Galvanized bins, buckets, and wash tubs
- Glass jars, tins, and apothecary bottles
Signs & Typography
- Hand painted wooden signs
- Chalkboards with specials
- Framed vintage ads and posters
- Stenciled lettering on windows/mirrors
- Repurposed tin signs
Seating & Tables
- Cafe tables and stools
- Mismatched chairs
- Vintage cabinetry repurposed as seating
- Rustic farmhouse table
- Barrel table with crate stools
Decor & Accents
- Enamelware pots, kettles, and mugs
- Vintage kitchenware and gadgets
- Old books and manuals
- Antique glass bottles and medicine tins
- Retro toys, games, radios
- Nostalgic candies and baking ingredients
- Classic glass domes and cake platters
Sourcing Vintage General Store Decor
Where can you find authentic pieces to create vintage general store decor? Here are some ideas for sourcing great vintage and antique finds:
Flea Markets & Antique Shops
Flea markets, antique malls, and antique shops offer plenty of vintage wares at affordable prices. Look for vintage product tins, glassware, advertisements, furnishings, and general store relics. These are great spots to uncover rare finds.
Auctions & Estate Sales
Auctions and estate sales are ideal for sourcing vintage decor in bulk and finding truly unique items. You may come across general store merchandise in large lots. The pricing is often negotiable.
Salvage Yards
Architectural salvage yards let you comb through old barn siding, flooring, beams, and other reclaimed building materials to create authentic rustic decor.
Online Listings
Websites like Craigslist and eBay provide access to antiques and collectibles from general stores across the country. Search by keywords like “vintage store” or “country store” to uncover relics.
Make Them Yourself
You can also embrace the DIY spirit and make some of your own general store decor. Paint signs on salvaged wood, stencil crates or tins, and craft displays from old packing crates or baskets. Add some charming imperfection.
Design Tips for Executing Vintage General Store Decor
When designing and decorating with vintage general store elements, keep these tips in mind:
- Mix old and new – blend antique finds with modern furnishings for an eclectic look with vintage flair.
- Display thoughtfully – neatly organize product displays for a curated look rather than cluttered feel.
- Add patina – distress and paint new furnishings like shelves and signs for a timeworn look.
- Pair rough with smooth – contrast weathered woods and rustic textures with clean-lined furniture and soft textiles.
- Incorporate natural materials – wools, cottons, leathers, and handcrafted ceramics make sense in rustic spaces.
- Allow for imperfection – the occasional chipped paint or rickety chair adds character.
- Permit clutter in vignettes – a little clutter suggests authentic use in merchandising displays.
- Make lighting feel functional – pendant lamps, sconces, and Edison bulbs add cozy ambiance.
- Keep wall décor minimal – a few neatly framed pieces make more impact than clutter.
Maintaining & Refreshing Vintage General Store Decor
Vintage general store decor embraces natural aging, but a few tips will keep the look fresh:
- Protect wood finishes with beeswax or a natural oil like tung oil. Re-coat ever few years.
- Dust vintage tin pieces to prevent rusting. Check for any signs of advanced rust.
- Condition leather and wood furniture annually with appropriate leather or wood conditioners.
- Frequently rotate stock in displays of vintage packages and tins. Limit light exposure to prevent fading.
- Test vintage lighting, appliances, electronics for safety. Only use those in good condition.
- Swap out some decor seasonally – rotate in fall crocks or holiday tins to keep it fresh.
- Supplement decor over time with new vintage finds so the assortment stays interesting.
- When pieces do show damage, highlight their age by leaving as is or artfully repairing.
- Freshen up painted signs or surfaces with new distressing techniques or repainting.
Vintage General Store Decor: FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about creating vintage general store decor:
How do I make new decor look old?
Aging distressing techniques like sanding, paint rubbing, hammer indentations, and wood burning can give new pieces a vintage look. Painting new items with chalk paint and sanding back for an aged patina also works well.
What colors work well?
Aged natural wood tones along with painted colors like brick red, olive green, navy blue, gray, and soft yellow suit the vintage store look.
Where do I find vintage signs?
You can find original vintage store signs at auctions, antique shops, salvage yards, and online. You can also make custom reproductions on salvaged wood using stencils, stamps, or hand painted designs.
How do I display collections appealingly?
Organize similar items together in matching storage like jars or racks. Elevate special pieces under cloches or on risers. Group a cohesive mix of items on shelves. Keep displays clean and minimally cluttered.
What are safe ways to light this style?
Opt for Edison-style bulbs, warm incandescent lighting, simple pendant lamps, and old-fashioned sconces. Ensure wiring is up to code and avoid potential fire hazards.
How can I organize my space functionally?
Include sufficient closed storage for less attractive items. Install organizers and racks to neatly display merchandise. Have seating and surfaces for enjoying food or drink items. Allow space for circulation and access.
Final Thoughts
Embracing the charm of vintage general store decor allows you to tap into nostalgia. Weathered woods, authentic displays, and repurposed relics blended with inviting furnishings help create a warm, lived-in space. Vintage merchandising displays and product tins offer a fun way to showcase meaningful collections or pantry items with personality and flair. Seeking out flea market finds and learning distressing and aging techniques help give new décor touches of timeworn appeal. Vintage general store style brings back the feeling of a simpler time when shopping local was a way of life and community mattered. Incorporating this nostalgic, rural aesthetic into a home or business interior results in a space with loads of comfort and character.
