Coastal Bedding Ideas For Your Beach House

Looking for small bedroom ideas? Love that vintage cottage style? Join me on a tour of our little vintage guest bedroom inspired by family antiques.

This small guest bedroom is on the first floor of our home in Coastal Maine, a cottage we inherited from my parents almost three years ago. To learn more about this cottage (which is filled with many of my favorite vintage pieces), join me on our Coastal Maine Home Tour.

This cozy guest bedroom happens to be my favorite room in the home. As you explore the vintage decor in this room, I hope you feel inspired to update your guest room and embrace a unique vintage style.

Small Cottage Guest Bedroom, Vintage and Delightful

Welcome to the Anything Goes Summer Blog Hop!

Hosted by my friend, Pasha over at Pasha is Home Blog. If you are joining me today from Kristin over at White Arrows Home, welcome! Kristin and I are thrifting buddies in the monthly series Thrifting with the Gals. Don’t you just love Kristin’s gorgeous log cabin?

Summer Blog Hop Graphic

Without further ado, let’s jump into our tour of my favorite vintage bedroom decor ideas inspired by family heirlooms, my favorite vintage furniture, and other thrift store finds.

How can I make my room look vintage?

If you’re new to using vintage decor in your home, it can feel a little overwhelming to try to create a vintage-looking space. But it’s actually very simple! Here are a few of my best tips:

  • Don’t be too matchy-matchy. One of the best ways to create a vintage guest bedroom is by mixing and matching different colors, design elements, and materials in your decor. As you’ll see throughout this bedroom tour, I decorate with everything from old license plates and vintage tennis racquets to heirloom quilts and crisp, white bedding.
  • Embrace natural textures. When vintage decorating, I love to use wood, burlap, and other natural textures. This helps lay a foundation for the other vintage decor I incorporate into a space.
  • Don’t be afraid to use color. While I love neutral colors for wall paint, I try incorporating a mix of colors through my chosen decor. In this room, white walls and white bedding combine with red lobster pillows, blue trim work, and colorful braided rugs to create an eclectic space.

12 Vintage Guest Bedroom Ideas From Our Maine Cottage

I love the vintage look of this guest room. Use these small guest bedroom ideas to decorate your own unique space.

Wrought Iron Bed

I found this wrought iron bed on eBay very inexpensively. It fits this small guest bedroom beautifully and really sets a foundation for the vintage style of this space.

The openness of the wrought iron provides a sense of vintage charm without a heavy look, which many bed frames can have. Perfect for a small cottage guest bedroom.

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.”

Vintage style coastal guest bedroom with wrought iron bed, quilts, lobster pillows and hanging bathrobe.

You may also find inspiration in this Red Decor Home Decorative Objects post.

Family Heirlooms in Vintage Guest Bedroom

When we decided to renovate this home, I wanted to incorporate as many family heirlooms throughout the home as I could. And this small cottage guest bedroom certainly holds plenty of these treasures. Making it simply delightful and gratefully vintage.

While we were looking forward to updating this cottage, we didn’t want to lose its vintage style or take away from the many family memories made in this space. This small cottage guest bedroom certainly holds plenty of these treasures, making it simply delightful and gratefully vintage.

heirloom Quilts

My mother enjoyed making quilts alongside her dear lifelong friends. And today that collection is displayed on one of her old vintage dressers in this small cottage guest bedroom.

You may see more of these quilts in the post, How to Fold and Display Heirloom Quilts.

Here, you will also see the original flooring. This past winter, we had these small cottage bedroom wood floors stripped and refinished, giving them a blonder and brighter look.

Small Cottage Guest Bedroom, Vintage and Delightful with wrought iron bed, wooden dresser and heirloom quilts.
FLOORING BEFORE

You may also enjoy the Vintage Aesthetic Bedroom Inspiring Ideas post.

Vintage Throw Rugs

My mother learned to braid rugs from her, and she also taught me how to braid rugs from a very young age. I even have this braided rug and stand. That was the last rug my mother was making a very long time ago, as I found it hidden up in the attic.

What an heirloom to treasure, right?

The braided rugs my mother made are now scattered throughout the home, like this one here at the entrance into this small guest bedroom. See more in the Vintage Braiding Rug Stand | A Mother’s Day Reflection post.

And I picked up the red whale rug from Vermont’s Chandler 4 Corners out of our hometown in Manchester, Vermont.

You may also enjoy the post, 75+ Blue and White Vintage Gift Ideas for Women.

And Coastal Bedding Ideas For Your Beach House.

Braided rug on vintage bedroom style wood floor with quilts.
Small Cottage Guest Bedroom, Vintage and Delightful with handmade blue quilts and lobster pillows with basket of tennis rackets.

My Mother’s Sewing Machine

My mother’s old sewing machine sits on one of her antique desks, which is also filled with her sewing paraphernalia. Next to it is a stack of her quilting magazines and books (just one of the many ways I decorate with vintage books in this home!).

The nostalgia makes this room so comforting and inviting.

A Basket Full of vintage Tennis Racquets

My father loved tennis! He played until he was 86 years old. And if asked, he would tell you that the only reason he stopped playing was “Because he didn’t have any competition anymore…”

Father ready to play tennis.

Here is my dad at 77 years old. And it’s funny because back then, I worked for a class ring company, and he’s wearing one of the t-shirts we used to give away with the class rings:)

You may also enjoy this DIY License Plate Hat Rack and Wall Decor, which I made out of my father’s vanity license plates, which I found in his old shed!

And check out what else I found with a tennis theme in the post, Antiquing Down East, A Day’s Jaunt.

License Plate Hat or Coat Rack DIY

An old basket sits next to the side of the bed, along with a collection of my father’s old tennis rackets, which he played with throughout the years and a couple that I may have picked up here and there while Thrifting with the Gals.

I honestly can not believe that my father saved all his rackets over the years. I found them all hanging up in his outdoor shed.

Basket of vintage tennis racquets in vintage guest bedroom with red whale rug, wooden dresser and quilts.

Thrifted Framed Photos

Above the basket of tennis rackets in this small cottage guest bedroom are two thrifted photos.

The Westies picnicking, I thrifted and gave to my parents as an anniversary present years back when they had their Westie, Jessie.

The second small red-framed photo is “The Kitty Cat Tennis,” which my mother thrifted.

This small cottage guest bedroom wall is simply a gem.

Small Cottage Guest Bedroom, Vintage and Delightful with family heirlooms.

Vintage Tennis Racket Wall Presses

I recently found a few vintage wooden tennis racket presses and added them to the thrifted framed photos above. I think I’ll be searching for a few more now, too.

Soft Pine Wood Flooring

The flooring in this small guest bedroom is natural soft pine wood.

We are very fortunate to have a handyman and caretaker living right around the corner from us, who refinished the wood floors throughout the entire home.

The floors were stripped and sanded and then covered with polyurethane to attain this lighter and natural blonde look.

Small Guest Bedroom Closet

While out thrifting one day, I found 18 Thrifted Black Velvet Clothes Hangers. They are so cute for our friends and family to use in the closet when they visit.

Extra pillows, blankets, soaps, and a guest bathrobe are also stored here, along with a full-length mirror attached to the back of the closet door. This is such a simple way to make our guests feel welcome and comfortable during their stay.

If you are looking for more small cottage guest bedroom storage ideas, you may also enjoy this Wardrobe Closet DIY: No Closet Solution post.

A Barrel of Driftwood

A thrifted wooden barrel filled with collected driftwood from the local beach in the corner brings some of the outdoor elements inside.

And we ask our friends and family visiting to add to this collection if they like.

Antique Bedside Table

An antique bedside table is decorated with old-fashioned collections I found while out Thrifting with the Gals at some of my favorite local thrift stores.

Vintage aesthetic bedroom side table with old telephone, pictures and alarm clock.  Blue hydrangeas and a stack of small windowsill bibles.

Vintage Guest Bedroom Wall Oars

This past week, I picked up this two-piece vintage wooden oar at one of my favorite antique shops in Portsmouth, NH, NEST Portsmouth. You may see more and bookmark for later My Favorite Second-Hand Shops from Vermont to Maine here.

Small Cottage Guest Bedroom, Vintage and Delightful with wrought iron bed, old quilts and two boat oars.

I thought they would be so cute hanging on the wall in this guest bedroom.

We marked and hung the vintage oars very easily with 2 12lb holding weight capacity Command Strips.

Two on each oar.

This cozy guest bedroom is small, so it’s hard to get a good angle of the oars on this wall, unfortunately. But I hope this gives you an idea of unique ways to use vintage decor in your guest room or other bedroom.

You may also enjoy the post, Coastal Grandma Decor: Summer in Maine.

License Plate Hat Rack

I found these vanity license plates in my father’s old shed and made this DIY hat rack. It’s such a fun way to embrace the location of our cottage and blends perfectly with the vintage decor in this space.

DIY License Plate Hat Rack and Wall Decor with woman's beach hat in vintage guest bedroom.
Tennis Anyone?

Vintage Guest Bedroom Paint Colors

I’m often asked about the paint colors in this small guest bedroom. The paint color of the walls is “Simply White” by Benjamin Moore. In my opinion, it’s the perfect home white.

And the trim work in this space is a beautiful blue formula that I’m sharing with you here. I think this soft, unique trim color really adds to the unique charm of this space. I also love the way it contrasts with the bright red decor elements (like the lobster pillows on the bed).

Bedroom Paint Trim Formula

You may also enjoy the post, 5 Cozy Cottage Christmas Guest Bedroom Swaps.

​More Vintage Decor Ideas

We just keep changing and decorating in this cottage guest room! We got this brand new white crisp bedding for this cottage-style guest bedroom in the post, Summer-Ready in Maine!

Coastal Cottage Bedroom vintage style with white bedding, bathrobe and red whale rug.

I recently added a vintage church collection basket and an old rope winder I found while antiquing Down East this past summer to this guest bedroom. See more in this Vintage Shopping, A Church Collection Basket, and Wild Oats post.

Where to Find Vintage Guest Bedroom Decor

If you want to create your own vintage-style guest room, there are so many different ways to find beautiful pieces for your space. While I love exploring thrift shops and antique stores in my area, it’s also fun to travel to other cities, towns, and states to check out new vintage shops.

If you prefer to shop online, it’s absolutely possible to find vintage decor online. Check out my guide to online vintage shopping for my top tips and favorite websites for finding unique pieces.

Yard sales, estate sales, and even a Facebook marketplace are also great places to find vintage decor. You never know what you might come across when you’re thrifting!

Need more vintage decor inspiration?

Explore some of my favorite vintage home tours from the blog:

Your Guide to an Eclectic Style~

If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.

Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com

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12 Cottage Vintage Guest Bedroom Ideas To Inspire
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This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Next up on today’s tour is another thrifting buddy of mine, Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest. Robyn is sharing Five Simple Things That Look Good on Your Summer Mantel. And I know you won’t want to miss it. Robyn has the most beautiful farmhouse style from her home in Florida.

Summer Inspiration from Eleven Talented Bloggers

Small Cottage Guest Bedroom, Vintage and Delightful // Dabbling & Decorating

Five Simple Things That Look Good on Your Summer Mantel // Robyn’s French Nest

Five 4th of July Party Ideas That Will Sparkle // Pasha is Home

DIY Summer Disco Ball Planter // Tater Tots & Jello

Lemon and Floral Summer Kitchen Decor // Willow Bloom Home

Five Minute Simple Summer Centerpiece // Midwest Life & Style

5 Affordable Summer Decor Ideas for a Small Front Porch // Simply 2 Moms

Seven Amazing Ways To Have A Memorable Summer // Cottage in the Mitten

DIY Star Neutral Wreath for Summer // The Pond’s Farmhouse

An Outdoor Summer Tablescape Using Blues and Terracotta // The Tattered Pew

5 Ways to Set An Everyday Summer Table // White Arrows Home

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18 Comments

  1. What a fabulous room! So full of timeworn memories. My husband’s grandmother was also a quilter and rag rug maker. We have upwards of 40 rugs she made including the unfinished one she was working on last. I display the surplus ones stacked inside an armoire made for holding a tv. Tennis rackets, oars, quilt stacks…oh my just heavenly.

    1. 40 rugs that’s so wonderful. I have only about 4 or 5. I wish I had more. But grateful for what I do have too🫶🏻

  2. I love every single detail, Ann! Your parents left you so many treasures! And I have to say — the room is even more charming in person!

  3. Oh my goodness Ann, this is just the cutest guest room ever! I love that you brought in your mom’s rag rugs. And the whale rug and lobster pillows are perfect with the quilts. It’s so cozy and pretty! Pinned 🙂

  4. I can see why it is your favorite room, Ann. So cozy and inviting. I adore the way you have used vintage coastal decor to add charm and style. Happy to be hopping with you!

  5. Ann your guest bedroom is just so cozy, collected and beautiful! I love all of the family heirlooms and touches you have added. Plus, the color oh the glorious color you have incorporated is stunning. So well done my friend!

  6. Ann- there is so much I love about this cozy room!! From the wrought iron bed to your mom’s old quilts to your dad’s old tennis racquets- so much nostalgia – it’s beautiful!!

    xx-Pasha

  7. I absolutely love those vintage oars and all the New England coastal summer vibes! Beautiful, Ann!

  8. I love every little thing Ann! I especially love the braided rugs by your mom and those racquets in the basket. The photo of your dad is priceless and I love that he is wearing that shirt! Love the new oars too! Always so fun to hop together and get more inspiration from you!

  9. This is such a charming bedroom! I love your collections- the quilts and rugs, and the little details like the phone and driftwood. They all make the space so inviting.

  10. I love how you’ve decorated your guest room with family treasures and keepsakes. Such a special place. Your moms quilts look gorgeous! Pinned.

  11. Pamela Martin says:

    I really enjoyed your post this morning. I have signed up for emails.
    Thanks
    Pamela

  12. This is such a pretty room, Ann! You know I love all of your quilts and that bed is my favorite piece. Your New England decor is always lovely to see! So happy to tour with you, friend!

  13. Ann,
    this bedroom is just amazing. I loved the old tennis rackets (wish I had kept ours) and the braided rug. However, the old quilts are probably my favorite. Such treasures.