19 Home Apothecary Ideas Inspired by Antique Pharmacies

Remember those gorgeous old pharmacies with their endless rows of amber bottles and hand-labeled jars? The ones that made medicine feel like magic? Yeah, I’ve been obsessed with recreating that vibe at home, and honestly, it’s been one of my favorite DIY projects ever.

Look, I’m not saying you should make your kitchen into a full-fledged pharmacy from the 1800s, but I won’t judge you if you do. But having your own home apothecary, a special place where you can mix natural remedies, store remedies, and truly know what’s in the products you’re putting on your body, is incredibly satisfying. It also has an absurdly cool appearance.

Why Even Bother Creating a Home Apothecary?

Before we jump into the fun stuff, let me tell you why this whole thing clicked for me. I used to have a chaotic medicine cabinet stuffed with half-empty bottles and expired prescriptions. Finding anything required basically excavating through layers of random band-aids and mystery ointments. Not exactly the healing sanctuary vibe I was going for.

Creating a home apothecary changed that completely. You get organized, you know exactly what you have, and honestly? It makes you feel like a slightly magical version of yourself every time you mix up a remedy. Win-win-win.

Antique Apothecary Jar Collections

This is where the magic starts. I scored my first set of amber apothecary jars at a flea market for like $15, and I haven’t looked back since. The old-school pharmacies used these for everything—herbs, tinctures, salves, you name it.

Here’s what makes them perfect for a home setup:

• Light protection: Those amber and cobalt blue glass bottles aren’t just pretty—they actually protect your herbs and remedies from UV damage
• Airtight seals: Glass stoppers keep everything fresh way longer than plastic ever could
• Timeless aesthetic: They literally never go out of style (I mean, they’ve been around for centuries)

You don’t need to spend a fortune on authentic antiques either. Plenty of modern reproductions capture that vintage pharmacy vibe perfectly. I mix old and new in mine, and nobody can tell the difference 🙂

Pro tip: Start labeling these babies immediately. Trust me, three months from now you won’t remember if that jar contains chamomile or catnip.

Wooden Apothecary Cabinets with Small Drawers

Ever seen those incredible old pharmacy cabinets with dozens of tiny drawers? Each one carefully labeled with Latin names in gorgeous handwritten script? Yeah, I found a smaller version on Facebook Marketplace, and it’s genuinely the centerpiece of my entire apothecary setup.

These cabinets are perfect for organizing dried herbs, essential oils, small tools, and all those random bits that come with making your own remedies. The compartmentalization keeps you organized, and honestly, opening those little drawers just feels satisfying.

If you can’t find an antique one (or don’t want to drop serious cash), look for:

• Small wooden organizers from craft stores
• Vintage card catalog cabinets
• Repurposed jewelry boxes with multiple compartments
• DIY spice rack conversions

I labeled mine with a vintage-style label maker, and it transformed the whole thing from “random wooden box” to “legit apothecary station.”

Vintage-Style Mortar and Pestle Display

You know what screams “apothecary” louder than almost anything else? A proper mortar and pestle sitting out on display. I use mine constantly—grinding dried lavender for sachets, crushing herbs for tea blends, making fresh spice mixes.

The antique pharmacies typically used marble or brass ones, and those materials still work beautifully. I’ve got a marble one that’s been in my family forever, and it’s seriously heavy-duty. FYI, weight actually matters here—you want something substantial enough to actually grind stuff effectively.

Quick comparison:

Keep it somewhere visible. It’s both functional and decorative, and having it out reminds you to actually use it.

Hand-Labeled Botanical Specimen Bottles

For that vintage pharmacy look, this is incredibly simple and incredibly effective. I gather tiny glass vials and bottles, then fill them with dried flowers, herbs, seeds, and plant specimens. A handwritten label bearing the harvest date and botanical name is given to each one.

The old pharmacies did this for educational purposes—showing apprentices what different medicinal plants looked like. For us? It’s basically gorgeous botanical art that also helps you remember what your dried herbs actually are.

My favorite specimens to display:

• Dried lavender stems (they keep their color forever)
• Rose petals and buds
• Whole dried chamomile flowers
• Interesting seed pods
• Pressed leaves from medicinal plants

Arrange these on floating shelves or in a glass-front cabinet. The visual impact is chef’s kiss.

Apothecary Scale for Measuring Herbs

Okay, hear me out—you don’t technically need an antique brass balance scale for measuring herbs. A digital kitchen scale works fine. But does a digital scale make you feel like you’re a Victorian pharmacist carefully measuring out medicinal compounds? Absolutely not.

I found a vintage-style balance scale at an antique shop, and I genuinely use it for measuring dried herbs when I’m making tea blends or filling capsules. Is it as precise as digital? Nope. Do I care? Also nope.

If you want actual precision (especially for essential oils or potent herbs), definitely keep a digital scale around. But for everyday herb measuring and maximum aesthetic vibes, the old-school scale can’t be beaten.

Dried Herb Bundles on Display

Walking into those old pharmacies, you’d see bundles of dried herbs hanging from the ceiling or walls. They weren’t just decoration—it was practical storage that looked incredible. I’ve totally stolen this idea.

Hanging dried herbs serves multiple purposes. The air circulation keeps them fresh, they’re easy to access when you need them, and they make your space smell amazing. Plus, can we talk about how gorgeous a bunch of dried eucalyptus or lavender looks hanging on your wall?

Best herbs to bundle and hang:

• Lavender (classic and calming)
• Eucalyptus (smells incredible)
• Rosemary (hardy and fragrant)
• Thyme (pretty and practical)
• Mint varieties (but use these up quickly)

Tie them with twine or vintage ribbon, and hang them in a spot with good air circulation away from direct sunlight. Your whole space will smell like an herbalist’s dream.

Antique Medicine Bottle Collections

This is, in my opinion, one of the simplest methods to recreate the atmosphere of an old pharmacy. For years, I’ve been collecting old medicine bottles, including those with embossed designs, colored glass, and unusual shapes. I’ve become addicted to showcasing them.

These bottles were workhorses in old pharmacies. Each pharmacy often had their own embossed bottles with their name and location. Now they’re incredibly collectible, and you can find them everywhere from estate sales to online auction sites.

Display them on open shelving, window sills (the colored ones look amazing with light coming through), or even in shadow boxes. Group them by color, size, or era—whatever feels right to you.

Brass or Copper Canister Sets

The old apothecaries loved their metal storage, especially for powdered substances and dried materials. Brass and copper containers kept ingredients safe from moisture and light while looking absolutely stunning.

I use mine for storing powdered herbs like turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. The metal keeps everything fresh, and they look gorgeous lined up on a shelf. You can find modern reproductions pretty easily, or hit up antique stores for the real deal.

Keep them polished for that classic shine, or let them develop a patina for more character. Either way works—it’s your apothecary, your rules.

Handwritten Recipe Books and Journals

Documentation is essential for any serious pharmacy. You should keep careful notes on your formulations, just like those old pharmacists did. I record my remedy recipes, what worked, what didn’t, and notes for the future in a special journal.

There’s something satisfying about handwriting these recipes. It feels more permanent and personal than typing them into your phone. Plus, flipping through your own handwritten apothecary journal? That’s some next-level vintage vibes right there.

What to record:

• Herbal tea blend recipes and ratios
• Salve and balm formulations
• Tincture recipes and steeping times
• Essential oil blend combinations
• Notes on effectiveness and adjustments needed

Use a nice bound journal or even a vintage ledger book. Your future self will thank you for keeping good records.

Glass Dropper Bottles for Tinctures

Tinctures were huge in old pharmacies—concentrated herbal extracts preserved in alcohol. The classic storage? Those elegant glass bottles with dropper tops. I’ve completely embraced this both for function and aesthetics.

I make my own tinctures (echinacea, valerian, elderberry, etc.), and they look great and stay potent when stored in amber dropper bottles. The dropper makes measuring doses a breeze, and the dark glass shields the tincture from light deterioration.

You can buy these bottles cheap in bulk online. Get multiple sizes—1 oz for daily-use tinctures, 4 oz for stock bottles. Label everything clearly with the herb name, alcohol percentage, and date made.

Vintage Botanical Print Wall Art

Want to instantly transform a space into an apothecary? Hang some vintage botanical prints. The old pharmacies had these everywhere—detailed illustrations of medicinal plants used for reference and education.

I’ve collected reproduction prints of old botanical illustrations and framed them in simple black or wood frames. They’re perfect for filling wall space and reinforcing that herbalist aesthetic. You can find printable versions online, or score actual vintage prints if you’re feeling fancy.

Mix sizes and frame styles for an eclectic gallery wall, or keep it uniform for a more formal pharmacy vibe. Either approach works beautifully.

Apothecary-Style Labeling System

The problem is that even if you have the most exquisite assortment of bottles and jars, you are only able to speculate as to what is inside if they are not labeled. Beautiful handwritten labels, frequently with Latin names and elaborate script, were found on old pharmacies.

I’ve tried multiple labeling approaches, and here’s what works:

• Vintage label templates (print and apply with mod podge)
• Chalkboard labels (easily changeable, very rustic)
• Hand-calligraphy (time-consuming but gorgeous)
• Vintage-style label maker (modern convenience, old-school look)

Include both the common name and botanical name if you’re feeling extra. The Latin names add serious apothecary credibility, even if you never actually use them :/

Wooden Shelving with Brass Hardware

Open wooden shelving was standard in antique pharmacies, and it’s still the perfect display solution for your home apothecary. The key is choosing shelving that looks intentional—not just random planks slapped on your wall.

I added ornamental brass brackets to basic wooden shelves, and the hardware alone improved the overall appearance. You are actually encouraged to use your apothecary setup on a regular basis because the open shelving keeps everything visible and accessible.

Styling tips:

• Mix heights and depths of your displayed items
• Group similar bottles together for visual cohesion
• Leave some breathing room—don’t overcrowd the shelves
• Add small plants or decorative elements between functional items

The goal is “organized herbalist” not “cluttered hoarder.” There’s a difference, trust me.

Essential Oil Storage Station

Essential oils need special storage—they’re potent, light-sensitive, and honestly kind of pricey to let them go bad. I created a dedicated essential oil station using a small wooden box with compartments.

The old pharmacies would have stored these precious oils carefully, often in their own locked cabinets. You probably don’t need to go that far, but keeping them organized and protected makes sense.

Store oils in a cool, dark place. I use a vintage wooden tea box with dividers—it holds about 30 small bottles perfectly and keeps them upright and organized. Label the tops of the bottles so you can see what’s what when looking down into the box.

Vintage Pharmacy Furniture Repurposed

If you really want to commit to the aesthetic, look for actual vintage pharmacy furniture. I’m talking cabinets, counters, stools—anything that came from an old drugstore.

These pieces completely change a space and are becoming more and more expensive. My dedicated apothecary work surface is an old pharmacy counter that I found at an architectural salvage store.

Alternatives if vintage pharmacy furniture is out of reach:

• Repurposed library card catalogs
• Old dental cabinets (similar aesthetic)
• Vintage laboratory furniture
• Industrial medical supply storage

Check architectural salvage shops, estate sales, and online marketplaces. Sometimes you get lucky.

Fresh and Dried Flower Arrangements

The apothecaries weren’t all business—many kept fresh flowers around, both for aesthetic pleasure and for studying plants. I keep rotating arrangements of herbs and flowers in vintage bottles around my apothecary space.

Fresh rosemary, lavender stems, eucalyptus branches—these work as both decoration and aromatherapy. When they dry out, I just leave them as dried arrangements or harvest them for use in remedies. It’s the circle of apothecary life.

Use your collection of vintage bottles as vases. Single stems in small bottles create more visual interest than one big arrangement, and it’s easier to maintain.

Reference Library of Herbal Medicine Books

A good pharmacy was built on knowledge, and those old apothecaries had large reference books. You should, too; having reliable herbal medicine references on hand is extremely helpful, even in the era of Google.

I’ve built up a small collection of herbalism books that I actually use regularly. They sit on a dedicated shelf in my apothecary area, looking both decorative and serving as genuine reference material.

Must-have categories:

• Herbal medicine guides and materia medicas
• Essential oil reference books
• Historical pharmacy and medicine books (for inspiration)
• Foraging and plant identification guides

Older books with beautiful illustrations work double-duty as decor and information sources. Win-win.

Apothecary Tool Organization

The old pharmacies had specialized equipment for specialized jobs, such as tincture strainers, droppers for measuring, funnels for filling bottles, and spatulas for mixing salves. The secret to making the most of your apothecary space is to keep these organized.

I use a vintage silverware caddy to hold all my small tools. It sits on my workspace, and everything I need is right there—no digging through drawers. The divided sections keep things separated and easy to grab.

Essential apothecary tools to keep organized:

• Various sizes of funnels
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Mixing spatulas and spoons
• Strainers and cheesecloth
• Pipettes and droppers
• Labels and marking pens

Keep your most-used tools out and accessible. Everything else can be stored away but should still have a designated spot.

Creating Your Perfect Home Apothecary

So yeah, I’ve given you 19 different ideas, but here’s the real talk: you don’t need all of this to create a beautiful, functional home apothecary. Start with what resonates with you, what fits your space, and what you’ll actually use.

My apothecary had developed in a period of two years. I began with a few amber bottles, and a mortar and pestle, pushing bits into it as I discovered them, and as I became more and more interested in herbal medicine. Hurrah, there is no hurry–you ought to enjoy the construction of your apothecary, and not to find it a source of anxiety.

The magic of these old pharmacy-inspired spaces isn’t just the aesthetics (though let’s be honest, that’s a huge part of it). It’s about creating a dedicated space for wellness, for taking control of what you put in and on your body, and for reconnecting with traditional plant medicine in a tangible way.

Whether you go full Victorian apothecary or just add a few vintage touches to your existing setup, you’re creating something special. Now go forth and build your dream home pharmacy—your inner herbalist is waiting.