What’s the Secret to Adding Whimsy to Your Life? Shopping Vintage!

Haven’t you heard? After years of millennial gray kitchens and extreme minimalism, whimsy is in! Embrace your inner child, play around with the colorful aesthetic, and get inspiration for turning your home into the whimsical getaway of your dreams.

Why Do We Need Whimsical Home Accessories Now More Than Ever?

In a world where mundanity is the norm, and the general day-to-day feels increasingly overwhelming, it’s becoming more important than ever to infuse your life with things that feel special. Taking up a new crafty hobby or saving up for dream vacations is one method for discovering joy in your everyday: transforming your home with whimsical décor is another.

Leaning into whimsicality can look different from person to person—and that’s half the fun! Whether that’s displaying your childhood stuffed animals on a bookshelf or organizing your antique glasses in rainbow order in your China cabinet, finding fanciful and playful whimsical home accessories to incorporate into your house is one of the best ways to lighten up a space and show off your personal taste.

How Do You Define Whimsical Décor?

When it comes to this style of décor, it should be noted that everyone probably has a different idea of what “whimsy” really entails. Your unique definition of “whimsy” will inform how you use vintage pieces to dress your space, so it’s important to play around with different options before leaning into the aesthetic.

Interior designers like to say that whimsical décor is the antithesis to rigid, overly polished homes, introducing character, personality, and charm whenever possible. For some, this could mean choosing a vibrant and patterned color scheme; for others, whimsical home accessories may be funky items eclectically showcased around the home.

Common Elements Seen in Whimsical Décor:

• Multiple colors in one room: primary colors, soft pastels, jewel tones, bright accent hues, etc.

• Soft textures: fuzzy rugs, plush pillows, velvet details, drapery, etc.

• Playful motifs: clouds, celestial, animals, florals, etc.

• Unique furniture: oddly shaped armchairs, reflective coffee tables, curvy mirrors, etc.

• Ceiling décor: gauzy fabrics, wallpaper, decals, etc.

• Magical lighting: fairy lights, vintage lampshades, neon signs, candlelight, etc.

• Mixed patterns: polka dots, stripes, scallops, etc.

How to Add Whimsical Décor to these 7 Spots in Your House

Feeling inspired yet? Lucky for you, decorating with whimsical home accessories is easier than you’d think! By swapping a few mundane items and decorations with unique, vintage finds and whimsical décor, anyone can increase the whimsy levels of their house.

7 Spaces That Can Use Some Whimsy:

1. Vanity

2. Bedroom

3. Dining room

4. Kitchen

5. Bathroom

6. Patio

7. Staircase

1. Replace Modern Vanity Items with Vintage Containers

If you have a vanity (or dedicated countertop equivalent), ditch those unsightly jars, bottles, and labeled products and switch to vintage containers. Filling old pill boxes with your go-to lip product and candle jars with body moisturizer or storing ibuprofen in a collectible tin or other whimsical home accessory will elevate your vanity and give your entire set-up a more playful look.

2. Turn Your Bedroom Into a Cozy Haven with Vintage Bedding

You deserve a bedroom that shows off your whimsical personality and makes you excited to curl up at the end of the day. Lucky for you, your favorite Phoenix antique mall is filled to the brim with whimsical décor, from one-of-a-kind, handmade quilts to eclectically shaped pillows, and more. Depending on your style, you can lean into the fairycore vibes with a canopy or go grand millennial with it and layer multiple textured blankets.  

3. Make Your Dining Room Whimsical with Vintage Table Accessories

Believe it or not, the dining room is one of the easiest rooms in the house to fill with whimsical home accessories. The next time you’re at a Streetsboro vendor mall, keep an eye out for hand-stitched tablecloths, collectible salt and pepper shakers of all shapes and sizes, interesting trinkets to incorporate in your centerpiece, and contemporary candlestick holders.

4. Transform the Kitchen By Displaying Vintage Dinnerware

Some say the kitchen is the heart of the home—and, in our opinion, whimsical décor is the key to keeping it beating. If you have any collectible baking dishes or plates, consider taking them out of the cupboard and keeping them on display for a tactile and timeless touch. Just invest in a few specially crafted plate hangers and get to work showcasing your favorite CorningWare pattern or Norman Rockwell collector’s plates for a year-round whimsical home accessory.

5. Give Your Guests a Whimsical Surprise with Vintage Bathroom Designs

As any host will tell you, the bathroom is one of the most visited rooms in your home. So why not make it an oasis with whimsical home accessories?

If it’s not in the budget to put patterned wallpaper up, you can still find ways to elevate the space. Consider changing out your usual shower curtain for floor-to-ceiling living room curtains (with a liner, of course), add a few retro trinket trays for soap or jewelry, and hang up a few of your favorite art pieces.

6. Decorate Your Patio with Whimsical Décor and Vintage Furniture

Don’t forget about your outdoor spaces! There are plenty of whimsical home accessories perfectly suited to your backyard, porch, or patio—and your local Highland antique mall is all but guaranteed to have them in stock. Keep an eye out for wrought iron furniture sets, cute holiday-themed blow molds, garden decorations, and outdoor rugs or cushions to make your spaces as welcoming and whimsical as possible!

7. Create a Museum-Worthy Gallery Wall Along Your Staircase

If you live in a multi-floor home, there’s a good chance you’ve neglected one of the best spots to feature whimsical home accessories. For a splash of color, consider painting the railing and adding a vintage stair runner rug to make it feel more lived in.

Lean into maximalism by filling the entire wall, top to bottom, with family portraits, vintage paintings, framed mementos, and more unorthodox items, like woven baskets, antique keys, musical instruments, or even animal skulls. Think of it like your own personal art gallery.

What are you waiting for? Head to your nearest America’s Antique Mall and start hunting

for whimsical décor today. There’s no telling what amazing treasures you’ll find to fill your home.