10 Flea Market Finds to Take Your Bookcase From Meh to Magnificent

POPSUGAR Photography | Julia Sperling
POPSUGAR Photography | Julia Sperling

If your bookcase is just a place to keep books, then you're missing out on a major interior design opportunity. Every shelf is a new surface to make a big style statement, especially when you're decorating with character-rich vintage items. Mandana Dayani, the chief brand officer of online estate sale website Everything but the House (EBTH), which you might recall is our vintage shopping obsession, just shared exactly what we need to do it. She says that you can completely update the look of your bookshelf by mixing in these 10 vintage items with your reading collection. We love that you can spend as much or as little as you like on each one, depending on your budget and taste. Keep reading to check them all out.

01
Add One-of-a-Kind Bookends
EBTH

Add One-of-a-Kind Bookends

"We love adding character to bookshelves with unique, one-of-a-kind bookends," Mandana says. "Mix it up by running books end to end on some shelves and then using bookends on others to create some open space." This pair of colorblock pieced stone bookends is a stylish way to break up shelf space.

02
Place a Decorative Dish
EBTH

Place a Decorative Dish

"Beautiful catch-alls add color and dimension and can also hold special mementos to add a personal touch to your shelves," Mandana explains. We love to hunt for eternally stylish pieces, like this Hermès decorative dish, but have also found equally attractive dishes for a fraction of the price.

03
Add a Letter Holder
EBTH

Add a Letter Holder

"Skip the frames and use a rack to add personal touches like photographs, old letters, and postcards," Mandana says. We suggest updating what is being held in the letter holder seasonally to keep the look fresh and timely.

04
Mix In Specialty Book Titles
EBTH

Mix In Specialty Book Titles

Pick vintage books with meaning and significance, such as placing a leatherbound collection of fairy tales in a princess-loving little girl's room. "Adding special vintage titles to your shelves will elevate the entire collection," Mandana explains. "We love having some great titles — with beautiful covers — that we can stack upright."

05
Stack On a Pipe Holder
EBTH

Stack On a Pipe Holder

Odds are you never thought of adding a vintage pipeholder, like this midcentury brass Carl Aubock one, to your bookshelf. Mandana says they're perfect for placing atop a stack of books and even between the rows of books.

06
Toss In a Well-Worn Trinket Tray
EBTH

Toss In a Well-Worn Trinket Tray

"Add patina to your shelves. The rub on this vintage tray is perfectly imperfect," Mandana says of the fornasetti milano porcelain trinket tray. Fortunately, it's easy to find well-worn pieces at your local flea market or on EBTH.

07
Mix In a Cultural Artifact
EBTH

Mix In a Cultural Artifact

"Something from your cultural or religious background is another way to personalize your space," Mandana says. This antique Ethiopian ceremony piece is the perfect example of a unique object that can reflect your family's background or your personal travels.

08
Create Dimension With a Vase
EBTH

Create Dimension With a Vase

"Another great way to add color is with modern glass pieces," Mandana advises. "This vase will look good with or without flowers and adds nice dimension to shelves." We love the bold personality of this hand-blown conical vase from the '80s.

09
Line Shelves With Colorful Books
EBTH

Line Shelves With Colorful Books

Line your shelves with not only good books but also a few beautiful ones. Mandana explains, "Keep your accessories elegant — and add some fun and color with vintage books." And remember to look beyond the slipcover; "we will often take off covers because there is a bright book underneath."

10
Turn Up the Glam With a Crystal Knickknack
EBTH

Turn Up the Glam With a Crystal Knickknack

"We couldn't resist these," Mandana admits. "We loved the grape craze that swept the vintage market a few years ago — and we think this is the perfect all-grown-up version." Whether it's an of-the-moment item like this Swarovski grape cluster or just something sparkly and eye-catching, we think crystal knickknacks are the perfect way to infuse glam into your space.