Look, I get it. You were on Pinterest and saw those beautiful apothecary cabinets with all those amber bottles and bundles of dried lavender and labels that only just came off the shelf of some 19th-century pharmacy. And now you are gazing at your own cabinet and wondering, how do I make this look like that and not reach into my own pockets with my entire paycheck at antique stores.
I’ve been down this rabbit hole myself, friends. What started as “maybe I’ll organize my tea collection” turned into a full-blown obsession with creating the perfect vintage herbalist aesthetic. The good news? You don’t need a degree in herbalism or a trust fund to pull this off. You just need some creativity and a willingness to embrace a little organized chaos.
Let me walk you through 15 ways to transform your apothecary cabinet from “meh” to “straight out of a Victorian apothecary shop.”
1. Start with Amber Glass Bottles (They’re Your Best Friend)
Seriously, amber glass bottles are the foundation of this entire aesthetic. They protect your herbs from light degradation while looking absolutely stunning on a shelf. I started collecting mine from thrift stores, and honestly? Best decision ever.
You can find these beauties in different sizes—from tiny 2-ounce bottles perfect for essential oils to larger 16-ounce jars for bulk herbs. Mix and match the sizes for visual interest. The varying heights create a dynamic display that catches the eye way better than uniform rows.
Pro tip: Don’t stress about finding “authentic” vintage bottles. New amber bottles work just as well and won’t cost you a fortune. Save your money for the good stuff inside them. 🙂
2. Embrace the Power of Apothecary Labels
Ever wondered why vintage apothecary cabinets look so dang official? It’s all in the labels, my friend. Those hand-written or printed botanical names in Latin? Chef’s kiss.
You’ve got options here:
- Print vintage-style labels on kraft paper or parchment
- Hand-write labels using calligraphy pens
- Use a typewriter for that authentic old-school vibe
- Order custom botanical labels from Etsy sellers
Personally, I adore combining printed and handwritten labels. It conveys a sense of a “working herbalist” as opposed to a “museum display.” If you’re feeling fancy, include both the Latin name and the common name. “Lavandula angustifolia” simply sounds different than “lavender,” don’t you think?
3. Add Vintage Books as Display Props
Here’s something most people overlook: old herbalism books add instant credibility and charm. Stack a few vintage botanical guides or old pharmacopoeia books near your cabinet or on the shelves themselves.
First editions are not necessary unless you are wealthy. Visit library sales or used bookstores. Look for books with illustrations of plants, yellowed pages, and faded leather spines. They beautifully finish the aesthetic, even if you never read them.
I found a 1920s herbal medicine guide for $5 at an estate sale. It’s falling apart, smells like old paper, and I display it open to a random page about chamomile. Perfection.
4. Incorporate Dried Herb Bundles
Nothing says “vintage herbalist” quite like dried herb bundles hanging nearby or displayed in crocks. Lavender, rosemary, sage, eucalyptus—these all dry beautifully and maintain their visual appeal for months.
Here’s how I arrange mine:
- Gather fresh herbs in small bundles
- Tie with twine or vintage ribbon
- Hang upside down to dry (takes 1-2 weeks)
- Display in ceramic crocks or hang from small hooks
The texture and organic shapes of dried herbs soften all those hard glass edges. Plus, they smell amazing. Win-win.
5. Use Wooden Crates and Boxes for Layering
Wooden crates are your secret weapon for creating visual depth. I’m talking about those old apple crates, wine boxes, or vintage storage boxes you can find at flea markets.
Stack them, turn them sideways, nest them—whatever works for your space. They provide platforms at different heights, which makes your display way more interesting than everything sitting at the same level. FYI, this trick also helps if you’ve got limited shelf space but lots of bottles to display.
6. Add Copper and Brass Elements
Want to level up your game? Introduce copper and brass pieces into the mix. Think vintage measuring spoons, old mortars and pestles, brass scales, or copper funnels.
These metal components add warmth and refinement by catching light in a different way than wood and glass. The focal point of my display is a tarnished brass mortar and pestle that I purchased for $8 at a thrift store. It looks so good that I don’t even use it.
Don’t polish them too much, though. A little tarnish adds character and authenticity.
7. Create a Color Story with Your Herbs
This might sound artsy, but hear me out. Organizing your herbs by color creates visual harmony that’s incredibly satisfying to look at.
Group together:
- Greens: rosemary, peppermint, parsley
- Purples: lavender, butterfly pea flower, violet
- Reds/pinks: rose petals, hibiscus, red clover
- Yellows: chamomile, calendula, turmeric
You don’t have to be rigid about this, but creating little color zones makes your cabinet look intentional rather than random. And let’s be honest—that’s half the Pinterest aesthetic right there.
8. Include Vintage Apothecary Jars with Lids
Those classic glass apothecary jars with ground glass stoppers? Absolute showstoppers. Yes, they’re pricier than regular bottles, but even having two or three makes a massive visual impact.
Use these for your most photogenic herbs, those with intriguing colors and textures. I store whole chamomile flowers in one, dried rose buds in another, and a blend of herbal teas in a third. When light hits them, it’s magical.
| Jar Type | Best For | Where to Find | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground glass stopper | Whole flowers, teas | Antique shops | $15-$40 |
| Cork-top bottles | Dried herbs, roots | Online retailers | $5-$15 |
| Amber bottles | Light-sensitive herbs | Thrift stores | $2-$10 |
| Wide-mouth jars | Bulky items | Kitchen supply stores | $8-$20 |
9. Add Fresh Elements Seasonally
IMO, the difference between a staged display and a living apothecary is incorporating fresh seasonal elements. Swap things out quarterly to keep your cabinet feeling current and used.
Spring? Add fresh lavender sprigs. Summer? Display fresh mint in a small vase. Fall? Incorporate dried seed pods and autumn leaves. Winter? Pine sprigs and dried orange slices.
This rotation prevents your cabinet from becoming stale. It also gives you an excuse to shop farmers markets and forage, which is honestly half the fun.
10. Use Vintage Laboratory Equipment
Okay, this is where things get really fun. Old laboratory glassware—beakers, flasks, test tubes—fits perfectly with the apothecary aesthetic while adding a scientific edge.
You can find vintage lab equipment at:
- University surplus sales
- Science supply liquidation stores
- Online auction sites
- Antique medical supply shops
I use a vintage glass beaker to hold my collection of wooden spoons and stirrers. A set of old test tubes displays single flower specimens. It’s quirky, it’s different, and it definitely starts conversations.
11. Create Handwritten Recipe Cards
Have you ever wondered why vintage pharmacies seem so intimate? Everywhere they went, they kept meticulous handwritten notes and recipes. Create your own recipe cards for herbal blends, tinctures, or tea mixes to replicate this.
Use index cards, kraft paper, or vintage-looking stationery. Write in your actual handwriting (messy is fine—it adds character!). Include:
- Ingredient ratios
- Steeping times
- Intended uses
- Personal notes or observations
Tuck these cards into small envelopes or clip them to your bottles with twine. It looks intentional and deeply personal.
12. Install Vintage-Style Hooks and Hardware
The cabinet itself deserves attention. Replacing modern knobs with vintage brass or porcelain hardware instantly ages your piece by about 100 years.
Same goes for hooks. Install small brass hooks on the sides or underneath shelves to hang:
- Measuring spoons
- Small tools
- Herb bundles
- Vintage tags or labels
These functional elements double as decorative touches. Plus, having things hanging creates movement and visual interest that static shelves can’t achieve. :/
13. Add a Mortar and Pestle Display
A mortar and pestle isn’t just a tool—it’s a statement piece. Whether you go with marble, brass, wood, or ceramic, this classic herbalist tool anchors your entire display.
With a little mound of dried lavender buds inside, I keep mine in the spotlight. It’s not just decorative fluff; it communicates that “this is a working space” even when I’m not actively grinding anything.
Choose materials that complement your overall color scheme. White marble looks clean and clinical, brass adds warmth, and dark wood brings earthiness.
14. Incorporate Botanical Prints or Illustrations
Wall space around your cabinet matters too. Hanging vintage botanical prints creates context and reinforces the herbalist theme throughout the entire area.
You can:
- Frame actual pages from old botanical books
- Print high-resolution vintage illustrations
- Commission custom watercolor herb studies
- Display pressed flowers in floating frames
I carefully removed pages from a damaged botanical guide from the 1800s and combined them with prints I found at thrift stores to create a gallery wall above my cabinet. It looks like I broke into a natural history museum, and the entire setup cost maybe $30.
15. Light It Like You Mean It
Finally, lighting can make or break your display. Those beautiful amber bottles? They need proper lighting to glow the way they do in all those Pinterest photos.
Consider these options:
- Small LED strip lights along shelves
- Vintage-style Edison bulb fixtures nearby
- Natural window light (but not direct sun on herbs!)
- Battery-operated fairy lights for subtle ambiance
Above my cabinet, I installed a tiny picture light that shines downward, highlighting and casting shadows on the various textures and heights. Game changer. That one addition transformed the entire display from “nice” to “photography-worthy.”
Bringing It All Together
Creating a vintage herbalist apothecary cabinet isn’t about perfection—it’s about layering elements until you achieve that collected-over-time aesthetic. Start with the basics (amber bottles, good labels), then gradually add personality through books, metals, seasonal touches, and unique finds.
Your cabinet should tell a story. Maybe you’re a tea enthusiast who also loves Victorian aesthetics. Maybe you practice kitchen witchery and want your space to reflect that. Or maybe you just think old bottles are pretty (valid!).
This style’s versatility is its greatest asset. Don’t worry about making everything flawless at once; instead, focus on what speaks to you and ignore what doesn’t. Instead of being put together quickly from a shopping list, the best vintage apothecary displays appear to have been constructed over many years.
Now go forth and create something beautiful. Your future Pinterest board will thank you. 🙂