Transform Thrifted Vintage Bookends Into The Most Whimsical Napkin Holders

If you're redecorating your home on a budget, repurposing items is a must. Vintage knick-knacks can give your home a touch of timeless character but trinkets too often get shoved in a drawer shortly after purchase. For example, your thrifted bookends might have seemed like a must-have when you saw them on the shelf, but they aren't displayed as prominently as you'd like. It's important to think out of the box when it comes to reimagining the use of ornamental decor. One genius way to make use of your antique bookends is to use them as whimsical napkin holders.

This hack is super simple and doesn't require any power tools or previous DIY experience. Simply slide your two bookends together so that the bottom portion overlaps and then fill the middle section with the appropriate amount of napkins. If there is no bottom portion and the "foot" of your bookend is on the outside of the object, that makes them even more versatile! You can just push them together to accommodate the number of napkins you want. For extra security, you can glue the bottom of the two bookends together. Not only is this a creative way to repurpose an old or unwanted item, but it will put your thrifted pieces on display for your guests to admire.

To modify this hack, you can customize your makeshift napkin holders in several different ways. Staining or painting your wood bookends is a great way to breathe new life into them. Consider the Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray to update the vintage piece with glamorous gold. Depending on the bookend you have, you may be able to separate the decorative piece from the base and swap either out for a better alternative. For example, you could glue the owls in the earlier image onto a black marble base.

For those who don't have antique bookends on hand, you can still participate in this trend! It's easy to DIY your own vintage-inspired version. Grab four square pieces of wood, a hot glue gun, and two toy animals. After gluing the pieces of wood together at a 90-degree angle, spray your toy animals with metallic paint. Finally, glue them to the inside corner of each wood structure, facing outward. This will result in two vintage-inspired pieces that can be used as bookends or napkin holders.

If you're looking for creative ideas for styling your antique home decor, creating a unique tablescape is key. Not only can you use your antique bookends as napkin holders, but you can elevate your table with several complementary vintage-inspired elements. For example, take those books that were being stored with your bookends, and stack them to elevate your centerpiece. This is also a great tip for incorporating dark academia decor into your home. Finish the look by using silver dishware like vases, pedestal dishes, or pitchers for a dark, vintage aesthetic.