Vintage Thrift Store Shelves Making a Comeback

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There are tons of home shelving options, but one classic style is taking over vintage-inspired spaces. If you’re looking to give your home a traditional touch, consider a thrifted shelf with heart-shaped cutouts. One TikTok user said finding wood shelves with heart-shaped cutouts felt like “winning the lottery.” These traditional shelves with kitschy cutouts are also super affordable, with some thrifters snagging them for just $2.

If you’re on the hunt for these, the internet’s officially agreed that these rustic-style shelves are back in style. This thrifted decor piece has become so popular that TikTok users are filming heart shelf “hauls.” Local thrift stores are even advertising their heart-shaped furniture selections to meet the demand. If you can’t find these cutesy shelves at your local thrift, you could try finding new ones, like these from Amazon, but be ready to pay more.

In addition to hunting for these shelves at the thrift, giving them a modern upgrade is a popular approach. You can easily customize them — like the trendy heart shelves — with a few tweaks. One TikTok user spray-painted her vintage heart shelves with white paint, then added wallpaper for playful, floral accents. Another simple option is to strip the existing stain to create a lighter, brighter look.

But not everyone agrees these shelves should be altered. Some commenters responded to the spray-painted shelf with disappointment that the original charm was covered. Over on TikTok, one user posted her new heart-cutout shelves with a carved bow, and the majority urged her to leave it as-is. If you’re torn between upcycling or preserving your vintage find, try hanging it in its original state first before making changes. It’ll work well with cottage-core style, but you might prefer updating it for a more contemporary vibe. Regardless, these shelves are a big trend right now.