Decorating with Wooden Boxes

I’m so glad you’re here today because I’m excited to talk about one of my favorite thrifted finds: wooden boxes! Hope you’ll join me as we explore some of these vignettes with wooden boxes. There’s something so satisfying about discovering a unique wooden box at a thrift store for just a few dollars. These little gems can be used in so many ways around the house. Whether you’re organizing, decorating, or just looking to add a touch of charm, wooden boxes are the perfect addition to any space. So, if you spot one on your next thrifting trip, don’t hesitate—grab it and get creative!

This first box is a Winchester ammunition box I stumbled upon about a year ago at a local thrift store. It was only $5, so naturally, it went straight into my basket. The outside features deep lettering in red and black, along with a logo on the top that adds a bit of character. When you open the box and remove the drawer, you’ll find a deep, solid cavity made from beautiful wood that’s about an inch thick. The craftsmanship is impressive—the tray fits snugly on two ledges inside the box, perfectly designed to stay in place. I love bringing this box out in the Fall and Winter to use in seasonal vignettes.

Here’s the latest vignette I created with this Winchester box as the star of the show. I propped up a sign on the open lid that reads, “Fall is in the Air,” setting the tone for the season. The tray is angled just right, resting on one corner of the box, and holds some miniature red roses in colorful wrappings, adding a touch of warmth. Nestled deep in the large cavity of the box is a glass jar filled with beautiful fall flowers and olive branches, bringing the colors and textures of autumn indoors. Altogether, these pieces create a cozy vignette that welcomes the season into my home.

The next great box holds two good sized, heavy glass containers. It rests on the top of an antique American cubby from the 1700’s. In the second picture you can see how the containers pull out from each side of the box. In the third picture you can see that I use these two compartments to hold specialty teas for brewing.

The vignette pairs the compartmented box with some beautiful autumn flowers in a crystal container and an oil painting in a stunning frame. The yellow in the flowers highlights the yellow tones in both the painting and the golden frame, creating a harmonious look. This simple yet striking combination brings the essence of Fall right into the Great Room, filling the space with warmth and seasonal charm.

This small vignette of a cheese mold box and three nested shaker boxes works well together as part of a larger setting. The boxes are different shades as well as different types of construction. You can see in the first picture that the construction of the cheese box is quite rough. There are simple bands on the lid and the bottom of the box that give the box some character. The Shaker boxes are beautifully made and detailed with wrapped wood in a triangular finish. The boxes are graduated in size and can be placed one inside of the other for storage. I set the boxes on an angle to create some interest and they are placed next to the Winchester box vignette.

The last box creates a vignette in the Study. This is a long rectangular wine box from Silver Oak Cellars as seen on the front of the box. I use this box to store candles which are handy to have accessible as the days become shorter and the nights colder. The second picture shows the vineyard logo picture on the top of the box. You can also see the depression for the handle that allows the lid to slide forward to expose the space within .

In this picture, the wine box takes center stage on a burlap runner edged in rusty red, laid out on a large coffee table. On either side of the box, you’ll find beautiful wooden pedestal candle holders, each topped with a pillar candle in warm autumn colors. To add a bit more interest, I placed a narrow tray on top of the box, which holds five brown chemical bottles, evenly spaced along the tray. The tray’s wrought iron handles add a touch of rustic charm, tying the entire vignette together with a cozy, seasonal feel.

Here’s a closer look. I love how all the elements work together to create a relaxed and country look to the room. As usual everything you see in any of these vignettes has been thrifted from local stores. It’s really quite fun to pull all these disparate elements together to create a cohesive look.

Four unique boxes, each featured in its own vignette, all celebrating the arrival of autumn. What I love most about these setups is that I didn’t buy anything new—I simply shopped around my home. It just goes to show how versatile and fun decorating with wooden boxes can be. I hope you’re inspired to experiment with some boxes in your own space. The possibilities truly are endless. Thanks so much for spending time with me today. Until next time…Happy Thrifting!