How to decorate with vintage ceramics – 6 ways to proudly display preloved pottery as suggested by interior designers

Whether building a collection of your favorite dinnerware or mixing and matching vintage styles, there are a few classic ways of decorating with vintage ceramics.

An impressive way of showing off your interior design style and tastes as a collector, vintage ceramic displays nod to the increasingly popular characterful, eclectic trend while being one of the most impactful ways of decorating with vintage. Vintage ceramics come in many forms, meaning there's something for all vintage lovers. Whether you prefer Delft, Talavera, or Blue Ridge pottery, you can count on vintage ceramics to bring charm and character into the home.

To honor the historic tradition, we spoke with interior designers and ceramic experts to find the best ways to decorate with vintage ceramics to make your home feel eclectic, cozy, and one-of-a-kind.

1. Don't be afraid to mix and match vintage ceramic styles

While many build collections of one style or maker, it's important to remember that vintage ceramics often look best among other styles. Much like decorating with art, an array of different sizes and designs will make a plain surface feel eclectic and effortlessly curated.

Holly Vaughan, director of Vaughan Design says, 'We always use vintage ceramics to adorn shelves in our projects, it effortlessly adds character and interest to the space. We don’t really follow any rules when it comes to vintage ceramics, we just scour our favorite markets and vintage shops for pieces that catch our eye for the right spot. Mismatched plates on a plate rack or hung on the wall in a feature spot will elevate any interior scheme.'

2. Hang ceramic plates on walls

There are plenty of things to hang on your wall that aren't prints, and vintage plates are one of them. These ceramics will bring some life to your walls and fill any empty gaps that aren't quite big enough for a painting. There are many vintage plate styles, so whether you're going for a classic blue and white Spode or a vibrant Mojilca, think of these pieces as the perfect form of wall art.

Interior designer Stella Weatherall has plenty of tips on how to hang plates. She recommends disc adhesive plate hangers as they'll allow you to hang your plates anywhere, without the fuss of fitting a nail. Her favorite ones are the Invisible English Disc Adhesive Plate Hangers from Amazon. Stella says she opts for these rather than metal ones as 'they are much more secure and invisible.'

The beauty is that you don't have to scrap your prints or paintings. Instead, fill any spaces with plates of all sizes like Stella has. She says, 'I think ceramics work really well alongside in amongst pictures. The organic shapes are a nice contrast amongst square/renature frames. I love hanging ceramics above doorways where there might not be the height for pictures but adds a nice detail and something to draw your eye up.'

3. Embrace imperfections

When collecting second-hand pieces, many of us may seek out the best quality examples and leave behind the slightly chipped or faded ceramics, titling them as examples of vintage and antique decor to avoid. However, the beauty of preloved pieces is their imperfection and patina. You're shopping vintage, so embrace ceramics that have signs of age.

Vintage lover Sarah Kirk (A.K.A god save the scene) says, 'Ceramics age handsomely and acquire character over time. Ironstone tends to develop a lovely tea-stained discoloration in unusual patterns, which gives it a more complex and colorful complexion. Cracks and crazing, which are little tiny little fracture lines in the glaze, often make a piece look more antique and interesting.'

If you're unsure of how to care for decorative pots, follow our helpful guide that explains where to place your prized ceramics and how to look after them.

4. Mix old pottery with new ceramics for an eclectic look

Remember that just because you're decorating with vintage your other decor doesn't need to be the exact same. In fact, transitional decor ideas are all the rage and are all about mixing the old and new.

Collections can sometimes feel overwhelming when they cover an entire shelf or wall, so make your clutter look beautiful by adding newer pieces among the vintage ceramics. Potter and design expert Stellah De Ville says, 'I like to take a fearless approach when it comes to styling a mix of contemporary and vintage pieces – the tension between the rough and the refined, the abstract and the formal makes for a dynamic dialogue between the works.'

The image pictured above is Stellah's living room that showcases her impressive collection of contemporary and vintage ceramics. She adds, 'I also love to play with unexpected large-scale works always in odd-numbered groups and massing pieces can also create a great impact.'

5. Collect vintage ceramics that you will actually use

While you might be tempted to display china and opt for the prettiest varieties you can find (Staffordshire or Royal Copenhagen being highly sought-after examples), it's important to consider how likely you are to use these pieces.

While ceramics are beautiful to look at, they shouldn't just sit in a kitchen cabinet or armoire being unused. Sarah says, 'I have been thrifting vintage ceramics for many years, and I only acquire pieces that I will use. So although some things (for example, great big tureens) look graceful in a collection, I don't buy pieces that are impractical for my everyday life. I use platters, plates, pitchers, and lots of quirky bowls and pots - perfect for serving nibbles or arranging flowers.'

Sarah adds, 'There is a dated notion of our grandparents' fusty old dining cupboard, which holds or semi-displays the "good china," only brought out for dinner parties or special occasions. Now people aren't waiting for a momentous excuse to lay out the fancy tableware or wedding plates. We want elegant pieces to suit the everyday. So forget the full set of china and use mismatched blue and white or transferware dishes. Fill your dresser shelves proudly with pretty pieces you'll feel comfortable using regularly, and pepper in some meaningful knickknacks and nostalgic frippery to create a truly personalized interior that feels like you.'

Remember Sarah says, 'Although you certainly could machine wash old plates and ceramics, I recommend always handwashing.'

6. Create a collection of the same type

If you have a favorite design or maker and want to elevate your interiors with ceramics, why not create a collection that represents your love for the style?

Whether you're a fan of traditional china or vibrant handpainted earthenware, displaying collections is an impactful way of bringing color and pattern into a space that needs some variety. It also nods to your tastes as a collector, creating an artistic statement that describes your design style, not to mention your ability to find treasures.

If you're having trouble with where to place your collection of vintage ceramics, you could follow living room shelving ideas by proudly placing your pieces on your walls or take inspiration from kitchen storage ideas by flaunting your hoard in an antique dresser.

If you've been inspired by the designer's advice on decorating with vintage ceramics, why not try displaying other vintage objects, like art, books, or textiles? Just remember to read up on how to display ornaments before building any hard-to-store collections.