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Vintage Kitchen Storage Containers Worth Hunting For
By Rachel
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Keep your kitchen organized! I’m sharing all my tips and tricks on vintage kitchen storage containers worth hunting for…perfect for small spaces as well as minimal and sustainable living!
Out of all the items I love to look for when I’m out thrifting or antique shopping, vintage kitchen items are something that I always gravitate towards. I don’t know what is about them…maybe it’s the nostalgia they seem to carry or the way they harken back to simpler times. And, truly, many of these old things are still super useful in today’s modern kitchens, which tells you how timeless they are. In this post, we’re chatting about vintage kitchen storage specifically and how these unique items add charm, character, and function to any kitchen. Join me below to read all about vintage kitchen storage containers worth hunting for!
The Short Answer
Vintage kitchen storage containers are functional, character-rich, and almost always findable at thrift stores for just a few dollars. Here’s what’s worth hunting for:
- Lidded glass jars for pantry staples like sugar, oats, and dried goods
- A vintage spice rack with original glass jars to ditch the plastic containers for good
- Crocks and ironstone pieces for utensils, tea bags, or anything that needs a pretty home
- Milk glass bowls for holding fresh fruits and veggies right on the counter
Vintage Kitchen Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
Out of all the rooms in my house, the kitchen is, hands down, my absolute favorite. We’ve done a ton of work and small renovations to it over the past ten years, getting it to the cozy cottage kitchen that I’ve dreamed of. But, I’ll also admit that my kitchen is on the small side, so I’ve had to get really creative when it comes to storage.
So, I thought I would share how I utilize thrifted and vintage finds for storing kitchen items! Some are pretty straightforward, others a bit more creative, but each with it’s own story, purpose, and function.
Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop
Today I’m joining some of my blogging buddies for the lifestyle of love hop, hosted by Cindy from County Road 407! We’re each sharing our take on ideas for vintage kitchen storage. I love seeing what everyone else comes up with!
I’ll have each of their links at the bottom of this post, so when you finish here, please take a few extra minutes to check out my friends’ posts. We could all use the traffic boost right now!
So, grab something nice to drink and let’s chat about it so you can start your own kitchen storage hunting list!
Shop Thrifty Kitchen Storage
Why Vintage Storage Belongs in Every Kitchen
I truly feel, with every ounce of my being, that vintage kitchen storage has a place in every kitchen, regardless of decorating style or age of a home. Here are a few reasons why:
- Function Meets Character– Why do you think these storage items have lasted this long? For many reasons, really! They are not only practical but are also timeless and full of character, making them the most wonderful option for a kitchen.
- Sustainable Style– Buying vintage is always sustainable. Since these items were made many years ago, they are obviously already here, meaning there is no need for new production. Secondhand wares, whether from a thrift store, antique mall, garage sale, etc…will forever and always be my preferred method of shopping. It’s cheaper, better for the environment, and just overall much higher quality!
- Versatile Options- The way that vintage kitchen storage containers are constructed makes them extremely versatile. It doesn’t matter what the intended purpose was originally…I use them for anything and everything in a kitchen! Vintage mixing bowl? Great use for holding fresh fruits or veggies. Glass jar? That has a million uses…it can hold coffee grounds, flour, tea, dried goods…it can even hold utensils. See my point?
Vintage Kitchen Storage Containers Worth Hunting For
Don’t just take my word for it…below I’ll show you how I use these ideas, and many more, for functional yet beautiful vintage storage in my own kitchen!
Now, mind you, this didn’t happen overnight. These storage ideas have taken me years to figure out. Once I started to understand what we use on a daily basis and what took priority on the precious counter space, it all started to click.
The best part? ANY of these items can be found thrifted fairly easily, costing just a few dollars per piece.
Let’s get into it!
Vintage Lidded Glass Jars
Out of them all, glass jars with lids are the most versatile and useable kitchen storage items. You can literally use lidded glass jars for anything!
Wanna know something neat? I thrifted all of these jars, but on separate thrifting trips. Two of them are identical…isn’t that crazy?! As you can see, I utilize the trio of jars on the kitchen island. One holds regular sugar, one holds brown sugar, and one holds oats.
If these pantry staples are going to be out on the counter, they have to look pretty. I don’t want to be looking at eye-sore containers every time I walk into the kitchen. So, by using these patterned jars, I feel like I’ve achieved a look of a country kitchen, which is exactly what I want!
If you are wanting to hunt for these types of jars at thrift stores, be sure to look and check for:
- the quality of the seal (make sure the seal is intact and not cracked)
- glass clarity (you want the glass to be clear, not cloudy, and free of cracks/chips for food safety)
- lid fit (be sure the lid fits snugly and securely)
Copper Garlic Keeper
A few years ago, I spotted this incredible garlic keeper at my local thrift store for just $3.99! I couldn’t believe it. It’s beautiful AND functional!
Garlic keeps, of any kind, keep garlic cloves fresh and help it to last much longer. How? Well, the garlic keepers have small holes on the side that allow air movement while still keeping the garlic enclosed with a lid.
We literally have used this for years now and can 100% tell you that it actually works. Garlic cloves last months in it without going bad!
Again, if something is on my counter, it has to look pretty and go with my cottage aesthetic, and this hits the nail on the head. This charming garlic holder gets my nod of approval and I allow it to grace my countertop for it’s ease of everyday use.
Vintage Spice Rack with Glass Jars
Let’s talk spices. We all have them and love them, but can we just not with the ugly plastic containers they come in?!
Cue my vintage spice rack, one of the most prized thrift finds of my kitchen. I actually found this at a thrift store in Florida years ago of all places! I carefully tucked it all between my clothes in my luggage and luckily arrived home without any breaking.
The glass jars are the original vintage ones and, when I found it, they looked like they had never been used! The best part is that this rack was under $20 for everything. You can barely buy one spice jar for that price these days!
Organizing spices the vintage way makes my heart so happy. The rack hangs on the wall right above the stove and gets used daily. I mean…just look how wonderous this is. Old wood, vintage glass, original porcelain knobs on the drawers…this beats plastic spice jars any day!
Do you see how you can totally have functional and practical kitchen storage that still looks beautiful?!
SHOP MY SPICE FILLER FUNNEL HERE
Milk Glass Bowls
When I found a set of three nesting milk glass mixing bowls at an antique store years ago, my original intent was to use them for baking. However, that’s literally never been the case!
Instead, these timeless bowls are the most perfect vintage vessel for holding fresh fruits and veggies such as tomatoes, avocados, onions, and the like. I usually have the smaller one on the counter and the larger one sitting in the pantry holding potatoes.
Like I said before, kitchen items can be mixed and matched to serve multiple purposes!
Ironstone Toothpick Holder
Here’s a small find with big personality 🙂 I found this unique ironstone piece at an antique store in Florida a few years ago and thought it was the coolest thing! I had never come across anything quite like it before.
Initially, I didn’t know what I was going to use it for, but upon getting it home, the idea came to me to use it as a toothpick holder! So, that’s it’s function now. And, have you ever seen a prettier toothpick holder?! I conquer that you have not.
Tilly’s Red Wing Pottery Treat Container
Another prized vintage kitchen storage piece is Tilly’s dog treat crock! I sourced this at antique mall at least five years ago and have loved it ever since.
You might be wondering ‘how do you know it’s Red Wing pottery, Rachel?’ Great question! Red Wing pottery was actually founded right here in Minnesota! The classic ‘red wing’ marking is present on each piece of their pottery, as seen here on Tilly’s crock.
Since she receives treats throughout the day, it makes sense to have this on the counter. It passes the test for being aesthetically pleasing while still being a functional item for daily use.
This is your sign to ditch your plastic treat container and find a pretty vintage one!
Ironstone Sugar Dish
Vintage ironstone works so well in kitchens. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pitcher, jar, dish, or platter…ironstone works with any decorating style due to the timeless, neutral aesthetic that it exudes.
This cutie, thrifted little ironstone sugar dish has sugar in it, right?? Nope…try again!
Here’s another great example of an item intended for one use, to hold sugar, that’s now used in my kitchen for an entirely different purpose, which is to hold tea bags!
I’m curious…do you do this in your kitchen, too?
Thrifted Crock for Utensil Storage
And, last but not least is this vintage crock! When I spotted this at a thrift store in Florida, I fell in love with the faint farm scene on the front of it. The white color is like a mix of milk glass and ironstone, so it fits in with the other decor perfectly.
Crocks are sturdy, functional finds for a kitchen space that can be easily thrifted and, again, can serve a host of uses.
I utilize this crock to hold our wooden cooking utensils next to the stove. Though I didn’t plan it like this, but the juxtaposition of the wood against the white ceramic is extremely lovely!
Tips for Thrifting Your Own Vintage Kitchen Storage
Before I close, I wanted to briefly give you some tips on thrifting vintage kitchen storage for your own home. It’s truly super easy but here are some things I’ve learned over the years:
- Where to Look– Thrift stores, estate sales, antique malls, and garage sales are all fair game for budget-friendly goods. For best inventory, go in the morning on a weekday.
- What to Check Before You Buy- Be sure to check for chips, cracks, and/or crazing, especially if you plan to use it for food storage.
- What to Pay- No matter where I source my vintage storage containers from, I won’t pay more than $15 per item. Typically, at thrift stores, I can find them for under $5.00. But, we all have different budgets so you have to judge what’s fair to you!
- Ask Yourself a Few Questions- When I’m out thrifting and find something I like, before I buy anything, I ask myself a series of questions: “Where will I use this?” “Can this be used in more than one way?” “Is this a fair price that I’m willing to pay?” “Will I be sick of this in six months?”
These questions help curb overspending and avoids falling into the trap of ‘buying just to buy’.
Closing Tidbits on Vintage Kitchen Storage Containers Worth Hunting For
With that, this wraps up all my thoughts on vintage kitchen storage!
We all long for an organized and clean kitchen but that also looks pretty and reflects our taste in decor. Thrifted kitchen storage can help get it there. Whether you are into a certain theme or just looking for timeless pieces, vintage is the way to go!
Be encouraged to create a special home by loving what you love unashamedly, thrifting each item with care along the way.
Keep reading about more kitchen storage ideas by visiting the all of the blogs in the hop!
For more kitchen ideas, read this post.
Stuck on how to use vintage decor in a modern home? My e-book walks you through it all!
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Common FAQ’s on Vintage Kitchen Storage
Is vintage kitchenware safe to use for food storage?
Most vintage glass and ceramic pieces are safe as long as they’re free of cracks and chips, which can harbor bacteria. Items with worn or flaking glaze (especially older pottery) should be used for display or dry, non-food storage instead.
How do you clean vintage glass jars and containers before using them?
A wash in warm soapy water usually does the trick, but for stubborn residue or musty smells, a soak in a mix of water and white vinegar helps freshen things up before use.
Where’s the best place to find vintage kitchen storage pieces?
Thrift stores tend to have the widest selection, but estate sales and antique malls are great too. Go thrifting often since new inventory comes in often.
How can I tell if a piece is actually vintage and not a reproduction?
Look for maker’s marks or stamps on the bottom, along with signs of age like slight wear, patina, or minor imperfections in the glass or glaze — reproductions tend to look ‘too perfect.’
Can vintage containers be used in a small kitchen without adding clutter?
Yes! In fact, vintage storage often works better in small kitchens because pieces can be grouped or stacked to double as both storage and decor, rather than adding separate decorative items.
Do I need to seal or treat vintage pottery before using it for storage?
If a piece will hold food or liquids, it’s best to check that the glaze is fully intact and food-safe first. For dry storage, like utensils or decor, no special treatment is needed.
Other Vintage Posts to Enjoy
How to Refresh a Kitchen Without Renovating
A Guide to Vintage Wooden Crates
Feeling a little unsure where to start with vintage decor?
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2 Comments. Leave new
I also concur that I have never seen a cuter toothpick holder in my life! What a great idea. Love your vintage glass canisters too. I can never find anything like that, especially with lids that will actually keep things fresh. And your copper garlic holder – are you kidding me?! Fabulous! You have so many great ideas! I’m now on the hunt for more vintage storage. Love your kitchen and all its colors. Thanks for joining us. pinned
Thanks so much, Cindy!