From designer bags to LEGO sets, most of us have some sort of hobby or collection that takes up a lot of real estate. For me, it’s perfume. I have a moderately sized perfume collection that is continuously growing (much to my wallet’s dismay), and I realized it needed a designated home.
I didn’t want to hide my beautiful bottles away, and I also wanted to be able to easily access them, so the medicine cabinet was not an option. So I set off in search of a chic yet inexpensive way to display my prized possessions — and I found my inspiration (where else?) on TikTok.
In my search, I stumbled across this post from Gianna Butler, a Los Angeles-based creator with the same problem (and taste!) as mine. “I found an inspo picture on Pinterest and figured I could totally find something similar [by] thrifting or scrolling through Facebook Marketplace,” Butler told me. After weeks of searching, Butler was able to snag a stunning vintage spice rack for just $15 on Facebook Marketplace.
How I Turned a Thrifted Spice Rack into a Perfume Display
My own style definitely leans vintage too, so this was the perfect solution. I love the idea of giving an old piece a new life — and a new purpose. “The woman selling the spice rack told me this was a special piece; it had been her mother’s, and she was hoping it would go to a good home,” said Butler. “It was meant to be.” So, armed with inspiration and a mission, I headed to the thrift store myself.
Luckily for me, I didn’t have to search for long. In the home aisle, I found this gorgeous vintage mango-wood spice rack — and for just $12! I promptly checked out and headed home, eager to style my new score. I was a little nervous about whether or not the bottles would fit — most perfumes come in 1-ounce, 1.7-ounce, and 3.4-ounce bottles, with a typical maximum height of around 4.5 inches, which is similar to most spices — but my collection fits perfectly.
I am so thrilled with how this unassuming, inexpensive thrift find became a statement piece in my bedroom. The stunning, dark-stained wood makes the glass bottles pop, and definitely nails that vintage vibe I always strive for when decorating. My collection brings me so much joy, and even more so now that I get to see it every day.
If you’re also looking for a way to display a collection of yours, consider a spice rack! Thrift stores and online marketplaces are filled with pieces just like the ones Gianna and I found. If you’d rather skip the thrift store, though, this trinket shelf from Urban Outfitters has a very similar look. It’ll cost you more, of course, but it definitely still has that vintage vibe I love.