Vintage wallpaper is essential if you want to restore an old house without changing its original interiors. It’s also a cheap and easy way to give your home a retro vibe. But they can be difficult to find if you don’t know where to look, especially for discontinued and out-of-print wallpaper. You might even be looking for one from a brand that doesn’t exist anymore. Your neighborhood home depot store might not always have what you’re looking for in this case. If you need some guidance, here are a few valuable sources for vintage wallpaper to keep in mind.
eBay and Amazon
eBay is a treasure trove for just about any kind of vintage paraphernalia, so you’ll definitely be able to find something close to what you’re looking for. But Amazon is quickly catching up in terms of its offerings of vintage items. Just be smart about what your search items are. You can narrow down your search terms by including the identifying details such as color, texture, style, time period, and brand name.
Specialty shops
Vintage specialty shops are different from your local Goodwill outlet or thrift store. This is because these kinds of stores don’t just sell anything, rather they handpick and curate their selection of vintage pieces. If you’re on a tight budget, this isn’t the best option since the labor involved with sourcing their inventory is factored into the price of these items. You won’t exactly find a steal here, but you’ll definitely have more high-quality options to choose from.
Secondhand sales
Secondhand sales are sometimes called estate sales, garage sales, and yard sales, but they all serve the same purpose. People use it as an opportunity to get rid of unwanted possessions either because they’re moving to another home, they need money, or because the owner of the objects has passed away. Old, unused wallpaper rolls often turn up at these sales, so you should definitely stop by the next time you see one.
Message boards, Craigslist, or newspaper ads
If you’re looking for a specific type of wallpaper and you don’t want to settle for just any kind, then you should post an inquiry with a picture of it on a message board like Reddit, a classified ad website like Craigslist, or on your local newspaper’s ad section. Someone just might have what you’re looking for, and they may be willing to sell or trade it.
Flea markets
A flea market is an outdoor market where vendors sell all kinds of secondhand vintage items. You’ll be able to find affordable vintage pieces here, but the quality of these items vary greatly. Before you can find a valuable roll of wallpaper, you’ll probably have to comb through lots of junk. If you’ve got the time and patience and if you’ve only got a limited budget, this may be a worthwhile option to consider.
Printing your own
If you’ve exhausted all the other options mentioned and still haven’t found what you need, then you can always just print your own. There are also companies that specialize in bespoke services where you can design your own custom wallpaper.
Whatever your interior design goals are, if you need vintage wallpaper, you’ll definitely find it in one of these valuable sources.
