Antique maps can bring depth, interest, and a unique touch to your home interior. Whether displayed as framed artwork, wall murals, or used in furniture design and splashbacks, antique maps can become a focal point in your home. They tell stories and remind us of adventure and travel, while adding a sense of nostalgia.
The colors, patterns, shapes, and textures of maps make them very versatile and popular in home decor. With their graphic quality, including sweeping lines, color blocking schemes, and typographic elements, maps can easily fit into any room.
At OldMapster, we handpick each antique map to bring a touch of history and adventure into your home decor. Explore our collection and find the perfect map to add depth and a personal touch to your space!
Maps as A Decorating Element
Incorporating maps into your home decor gives it personality and warmth. Their history adds depth, and their patterns can enhance the look of any room. Whether you’re looking to create a focal point or add a bit of vintage charm, maps offer endless possibilities for making your space feel more connected to the world.
Maps are not just about geography; they are about stories, memories, and adventure. They provide a sense of connection to the world, blending art, history, and decor seamlessly.
6 Simple Ways to Decorate Home with Maps
Maps are a versatile way to add character and a sense of place to your home. They make great wall art in any room, whether in a guest bedroom or a busy space, giving it a personal touch. Because art is subjective, maps are perfect for spaces where family members have different tastes. Their simple style fits well in any space, adding charm and decorating flair to your home.
1. Create A Quirky Gallery Wall
A quirky gallery wall using framed maps can make a big difference in any room. You can use both small maps and large murals – it all depends on how you display them. For a fun and eclectic look, mix different sizes, frames, and mounting styles. You can arrange them in an irregular or asymmetrical composition.
Before putting the maps up, lay them out on the floor to check the arrangement. Once you’re happy with it, you can hang the maps using nails. If you prefer a more smarter look, try a grid layout for a clean and organized feel.
2. Create a Feature Wall
A map can make a great feature wall in any room, giving it a unique and personal touch. Instead of using regular wall murals or patterned wallpapers, you can hang an enlarged antique map to create a stunning focal point.
A wall map will grab attention and spark interesting conversations with guests. If you have a special antique map from a family member, like one showing the Roman Empire, it can add a personal story to your home, especially in spaces like the dining room.
3. As a Wall Mural
In a family home like one in Santa Monica, a map mural can stand out in a neutral room with smooth stone walls and oak floors. The map will complement the space’s simple yet stylish look, adding warmth and history to the decor.
Using a feature wall with a map not only adds beauty but also brings your personal history into the design. Discover the perfect vintage map for your home at OldMapster.
4. Create a Statement Headboard
An alternative to a traditional headboard is placing a map above your bed. Most maps come in a rectangular shape, which makes them a perfect fit for the space above the head of your bed. Using a map as an accent wall immediately draws attention to the head of the bed, creating a striking focal point in your room.
Not only does it serve as a beautiful decorative element, but it can also spark a sense of adventure, inspiring you to dream of far-off lands and future vacations. The subtle design and historical charm of the map make your bedroom feel cozy, personalized, and full of stories.
This unique touch blends function and style, perfect for anyone who loves a space filled with both beauty and meaning.
5. Add in Furniture Design
Another great idea is to incorporate maps as part of your furniture design. You could apply vintage maps to the surface of a coffee table or even to the backs of chairs to create a conversation starter. If you have a bar cart or bookshelf, placing maps on the sides can add a playful yet stylish touch.
You can also create a feature wall by using a map as a large statement piece or combine several smaller maps in a creative arrangement. This adds a sense of adventure and history to any room while making the space feel more personal and inviting.
6. Add Maps to Unexpected Spots
You can give your room a special touch by using vintage maps or charts. For a celestial tone, try using a historical map of the stars or even the moon. A fun idea is to add maps to doors-whether it’s French doors with glass or wooden doors-to make them stand out and give you some privacy. It also adds visual interest to your space.
If you want a smaller project, you could put maps on cabinet or dresser drawers to create a fresh look. This simple change can make your space feel unique and exciting
DIY Ideas to Incorporate Vintage Maps to Enhance Home Decor
Ready to transform your space with vintage maps? From custom pillows to unique wall art, these DIY map ideas will help you add a personal touch to any room. Don’t miss out on creating a home filled with history and charm.
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Make Map Vases
One fun and budget-friendly idea is creating DIY map vases. If you’re tired of using ho-hum vases or expensive, breakable vases, you can make your own! Start with an old soup can or vegetable can, wash it thoroughly, and then use glue to attach a map of your favorite place.
In no time, you’ll have a stylish and personal vase to showcase in your home décor. This easy project adds a unique touch to any space while allowing you to enjoy the charm of a map as part of your interior design.
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Make A Map Pillow
You can easily find pillows with maps of the world, your favorite city, or even your favorite state. These pillows add unique accents to any room. If you enjoy sewing, you could even create your own map pillow by stitching a replica of your favorite world state and placing a heart on the spot that holds special meaning.
Also make sure it is like the place where you met your significant other or somewhere important to you. This DIY project not only enhances your décor but also adds a personal touch that tells a story.
You can also choose map pillows that reflect your travel dreams or memories, creating a room full of important moments and destinations. Whether you’re crafting a map pillow with a personal twist or purchasing one to suit your style, it’s an easy way to blend home décor with your personal history and dreams.
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Hand Stitch A Map
If you’ve recently been on a vacation and want to remember the journey, why not hand-stitch the route on a map? You can frame it and hang it on your wall or place it on a shelf for a personalized touch to your décor. It’s a creative way to highlight an adventure, and every time you look at it, it’ll bring back those memories.
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Make A Serving Decor
Another DIY idea is if you have a broken globe, don’t throw it away! The half of the globe that’s still on its stand can be repurposed into a bowl to hold things like flowers, gourds, potpourri, or even fruits. This is a fun way to incorporate a globe into your home without it going to waste.
Tips to Consider While Decorating Homes with Old Maps
When incorporating old maps into your home decor, it’s all about blending history with personal style to create a space that feels both unique and inviting.
1. Consider Size and Placement
When you decorate with old maps, it’s important to think about their size and where they will go. If you have a larger map, it can make a great statement piece on its own. For smaller maps, you could group them together to create a fun gallery wall that captures attention.
2. Create a Balanced Atmosphere
Think about the kind of mood you want to create. A world map in your living room can bring a sense of adventure, inviting conversation about distant places. Meanwhile, a map of the moon in a bedroom can give off a celestial tone, sparking curiosity and imagination in anyone who enters.
3. Mix with Other Decorative Elements
To make your old maps stand out even more, pair them with other décor. A vintage frame can help highlight the map, and lighting can give it an added glow. You could even add map-themed pillows or other small accents to make the map feel like an important part of the room’s design.
4. Match with Your Room’s Color Palette
Pay attention to how the map complements the existing color palette in your room. Muted tones or aged maps work well in neutral or vintage-style spaces, adding character without clashing.
5. Personalize Your Space
Making a map your own adds a unique touch. You can personalize it by adding stitching to mark places you’ve been or by pinning locations that are special to you. For example, highlighting the place you met your significant other can give the map a personal connection that tells your story.
Get Your Maps Ready!
Decorating with antique maps is a creative and personal way to bring history, adventure, and character into your home. From framing vintage maps to creating DIY projects like map pillows or vases, there are endless ways to incorporate these timeless pieces into your space.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when adding antique maps to your decor. Explore OldMapster to find the perfect antique map to transform your home, and make each room a journey of its own.