You know that feeling when you walk into a room and it just feels different? Not over-decorated, not trying too hard, but somehow more interesting than your average space? That’s the apothecary aesthetic working its magic.
I happened upon the whole apothecary dĂ©cor thing by chance. Everything else in my bathroom looked dull after I placed a single amber glass bottle that I had purchased at a thrift store on the shelf. After two years, I have apothecary-inspired accents in every single room of my home. And truthfully? It was the best decorating choice I’ve ever made.
Amber Glass Bottle Collections
Let’s start with the obvious one: amber glass bottles are basically the foundation of apothecary decor. These aren’t just pretty—they were functional workhorses in old pharmacies, protecting contents from light damage while looking absolutely gorgeous.
On counters, windowsills, and shelves, I arrange mine in odd numbers (three or five bottles together). There is nothing that can match the warm, vintage glow produced by the way light passes through amber glass. They can be left empty as sculptures or filled with dried herbs or fresh flowers.
Where to display them:
- Bathroom counters (instant spa vibes)
- Kitchen windowsills (catch that morning light)
- Bookshelf styling between books
- Bedroom nightstands for a collected look
Pro tip: Mix different heights and bottle shapes for visual interest. The matchy-matchy look is actually less authentic to how old pharmacies arranged their stock anyway.
Vintage Apothecary Labels
This is where the fun begins. I create vintage-looking apothecary labels and apply them to jars, bottles, boxes, and other items. Those elaborate pharmaceutical labels with decorative borders and Latin names? They instantly turn common containers into topics of conversation.
You can go full commitment and actually label things correctly (like “Lavandula” for your lavender), or just pick labels that look cool. Nobody’s checking your Latin accuracy, I promise. I use a mix of authentic reproduction labels and ones I design myself, printed on kraft paper for that aged look.
This works brilliantly in any room. Kitchen canisters get labeled with herb names, bathroom jars get fancy soap labels, office supplies get stored in labeled apothecary jars. It’s cohesive theming without feeling costume-y.
Cobalt Blue Glass Accents
If amber glass is the warm, cozy cousin, cobalt blue glass is the dramatic, moody relative. Old apothecaries used cobalt bottles for light-sensitive compounds, and that deep blue color is absolutely stunning when light hits it.
Every morning when the sun shines through the cobalt bottles I keep on the window ledge in my kitchen, they create amazing blue shadows on my counter. It resembles daily free art. To get the most impact from a vintage pharmacy, combine amber and cobalt pieces.
Cobalt blue glass works everywhere:
- Clustered on bathroom shelves
- As bud vases for single flower stems
- Mixed into bookshelf displays
- On mantels catching firelight
The color is bold enough to make a statement but timeless enough that you won’t get sick of it. Unlike that trendy color you painted your accent wall three years ago that now makes you cringe :/
Brass Apothecary Hardware
Want to know the fastest way to make modern furniture look more apothecary-inspired? Swap out the hardware for brass. I replaced all my bathroom cabinet pulls with vintage brass ones, and the transformation was ridiculous for such a small change.
In old pharmacies, brass was used for everything from jar lids to label holders to drawer pulls. Any piece instantly gains age and character from that warm metallic finish. For a genuine vintage feel, let it patina naturally; alternatively, keep it polished for a neater appearance.
This works on:
- Cabinet and drawer pulls
- Picture frame accents
- Lamp bases and fixtures
- Decorative trays and containers
FYI, you don’t need real antique brass. Modern brass hardware that’s allowed to age naturally looks just as good and costs way less.
Botanical Specimen Displays
The unexpected elegance of this detail makes it one of my favorites. I gather tiny glass bottles and fill them with botanical specimens, such as small branches, dried flowers, intriguing seed pods, and pressed leaves. Each one appears to have been taken directly from a naturalist’s collection and is labeled with the name of the plant.
These displays work as functional decor. They’re beautiful to look at, they educate you about plants (if you’re into that), and they bring nature inside without the maintenance of live plants. I arrange mine on floating shelves in my office, and people always ask about them.
Best specimens to display:
- Dried lavender stems (color lasts forever)
- Eucalyptus branches (that smell!)
- Interesting seed heads and pods
- Pressed ferns and leaves
- Cotton bolls (surprisingly pretty)
Group several bottles together, or scatter them throughout a room for little moments of discovery.
Apothecary Jars with Ground Glass Stoppers
Alright, I may have gone a bit too far here. I have a lot of apothecary jars that have those traditional ground glass stoppers. Can you blame me, though? The weight of high-quality glass, the airtight seal, and the slight resistance when you twist the stopper make them immensely satisfying to use.
I use these for actually storing things (cotton balls, bath salts, coffee beans), but they’re decorative enough that you want to leave them out on display. The glass stopper detail is what separates regular jars from proper apothecary vibes.
Display them in groups on countertops, shelves, or inside glass-front cabinets. Fill them with anything from practical items to purely decorative elements like vintage buttons or seashells.
Dried Herb Bundles
Bundles of dried herbs hanging on a shelf are the epitome of “apothecary.” As a permanent decoration, I tie fresh herbs with twine and hang them upside down to dry. They look lovely, smell wonderful, and you can use them to make tea or cook.
This works especially well in kitchens, but I’ve also got eucalyptus hanging in my bathroom (hello, spa vibes) and lavender bundles in my bedroom closet. The natural element softens all the glass and metal of other apothecary details.
Best herbs for decorative bundles:
- Lavender (classic and long-lasting)
- Eucalyptus (aromatic and structural)
- Rosemary (holds up well when dried)
- Sage bundles (trendy and pretty)
Hang them from hooks, curtain rods, or even just lean them in tall bottles. Easy, beautiful, and your space smells incredible.
Vintage Medical Charts and Anatomy Prints
This might sound weird, but hear me out. Old medical illustrations and anatomy charts have this incredible aesthetic quality. They’re scientific, detailed, and slightly mysterious—perfect for apothecary-inspired spaces.
I have an old anatomy print in my bedroom and a framed botanical medicine chart in my bathroom. They are conversation starters that maintain the apothecary theme while adding significant visual interest. Reproduction prints are fairly easy to find online, and if you visit the right antique stores, you can find real vintage prints.
What to look for:
- Botanical medicine illustrations
- Herb and plant identification charts
- Vintage anatomy diagrams
- Old pharmaceutical advertisements
Frame them simply in black or wood frames. The illustrations themselves are busy enough—you don’t need ornate frames competing for attention.
Wooden Apothecary Boxes
These multi-compartment little wooden boxes are incredibly practical and stylish. They were used by old-fashioned pharmacists to keep small tools, powders, and pills organized. I use mine for jewelry, office supplies, craft supplies, and pretty much anything else that needs to be organized.
The compartmentalized organization feels luxurious somehow. Instead of dumping everything in one drawer, you’re thoughtfully assigning each item its own space. Plus, the boxes themselves are beautiful objects worth displaying on dressers, desks, or shelves.
Look for boxes with brass hardware and labels for maximum apothecary vibes. Even modern versions work if they have that vintage-inspired design.
Mercury Glass Accents
Mercury glass has that aged, silvered look that fits perfectly with apothecary decor. I use mercury glass votives for candles, small mercury glass bottles for display, and even found a mercury glass vase that I keep on my dining table.
The slightly imperfect, reflective surface catches light beautifully and gives your room a subtle shimmer. It’s elegant without being pretentious and retro without being out of style. In my opinion, it’s the ideal transition between obviously vintage pieces and more contemporary furnishings.
Mercury glass works great as:
- Candle holders (the glow through silvered glass is chef’s kiss)
- Small decorative bottles and vases
- Ornamental spheres and objects
- Picture frame accents
Mix it with amber and cobalt glass for a collected-over-time look that feels authentic.
Apothecary Scale Displays
Want a statement piece? Get yourself a vintage-style apothecary scale. These aren’t just decorative—though they absolutely are—they’re also genuinely interesting objects that draw the eye and start conversations.
With the pans balanced, I keep mine on my kitchen counter. I occasionally fill the pans with small items (fruit, ornaments, and nothing too valuable), and other times I leave them empty. In any case, it’s a sculpture that shouts “apothecary” more than practically anything else.
Modern reproductions work fine if you can’t find or don’t want to invest in an authentic antique scale. The visual impact is what matters.
Glass Cloche and Bell Jar Displays
Cloches and bell jars were essential in old apothecaries for protecting and displaying specimens. I use them the same way—covering and highlighting special objects while keeping dust off.
I’ve put everything on display under my different cloches, including vintage pharmacy labels, dried flower arrangements, and old medicine bottles. Anything placed beneath the glass dome is instantly elevated by the “important specimen” vibe it creates.
Ideas for cloche displays:
- Vintage apothecary bottles grouped together
- Botanical specimens on pedestals
- Antique medical tools or curiosities
- Dried flower arrangements
- Collections of small interesting objects
The beauty of cloches is that you can easily swap what’s inside them. Change your displays seasonally or whenever you get bored.
Brass and Glass Shelving Units
Open shelving is crucial for displaying apothecary collections, but the shelf style matters. I installed brass and glass shelving in my bathroom, and it completely transformed the space from basic to boutique apothecary.
The combination of clear glass shelves and warm brass brackets preserves the vintage pharmacy look while keeping everything feeling airy and light. Instead of being concealed behind cabinet doors, everything you display becomes a part of the décor.
This works in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms—anywhere you want to show off your apothecary collections while keeping them accessible.
Vintage Pharmacy Signage
Old pharmacy signs are decorator gold. I found a reproduction “Apothecary” sign at a flea market that now hangs in my bathroom, and it ties the whole theme together. These signs immediately communicate the aesthetic you’re going for.
Signs that read “Pharmacy,” “Apothecary,” “Rx,” “Chemist,” or particular product names can be found in an antique style. As focal points, even tiny enamel or painted wooden signs look stunning.
Where to use pharmacy signage:
- Above bathroom sinks or shelving
- In kitchen herb and spice areas
- Entry halls for unexpected charm
- Home office spaces for quirky character
One well-placed sign can anchor an entire room’s apothecary theme.
Mortar and Pestle as Decor
An exquisite mortar and pestle is more than just a practical tool; it is a sculpture that instantly conveys the word “apothecary.” Even when not in use, the marble one I keep on my kitchen counter is beautiful enough to warrant its counter space.
The weight and substance of a quality mortar and pestle makes it feel permanent and important. It’s one of those items that looks better with use—the slight staining and wear patterns just add character.
Material options and their vibes:
| Material | Best Display Location | Aesthetic |
|---|---|---|
| Marble | Kitchen counters | Classic elegance |
| Brass | Decorative shelving | Vintage glamour |
| Ceramic | Open shelving | Rustic charm |
| Stone | Kitchen islands | Earthy organic |
Don’t hide it in a cabinet. The whole point is that it’s both functional and beautiful.
Antique Medicine Bottle Collections
I cannot stress enough how much I love collecting vintage medicine bottles. The embossed glass, the unusual colors, the variety of shapes—each one is a tiny piece of pharmaceutical history that happens to look incredible on display.
They can be used as bud vases for single stems, grouped on windowsills where light can filter through the colored glass, or arranged in color or size groups on shelves. The bottles are works of art in and of themselves.
Start checking out estate sales, antique shops, and online marketplaces. Once you start seeing these bottles, you’ll find them everywhere. The hunt becomes part of the fun 🙂
Black and White Botanical Prints
Black and white botanical prints have a crisp, scientific vibe that looks great in spaces with an apothecary theme, even though I adore vintage colored illustrations. In my kitchen, I have a set of polished and professional-looking black and white herb prints.
These prints are easy to find and affordable to frame. You can print them yourself on nice paper, or buy reproduction prints. Either way, they add visual interest without overwhelming your space with color.
Create gallery walls, frame individual prints as statement pieces, or use them in unexpected places like bathrooms and hallways. The monochromatic palette keeps things feeling cohesive.
Copper and Brass Canisters
Metal canisters were pharmacy staples for storing powders, herbs, and compounds. I use brass and copper canisters for actual storage (coffee, tea, bath salts) because they’re practical and beautiful.
The warm metal tones complement glass collections perfectly, and watching copper develop its patina over time is genuinely satisfying. You can polish them to keep them bright, or let them age naturally for more character.
Line them up on counters or shelves. Their uniform shape creates visual order even when you mix different sizes.
White Ceramic Apothecary Containers
Glass and metal don’t have to be the only elements of an apothecary aesthetic. A simple, contemporary interpretation of the theme that maintains its authenticity is produced by white ceramic containers labeled in the apothecary style.
I use white ceramic jars for bathroom storage (cotton balls, Q-tips, bath salts), and they look crisp and intentional. The simplicity lets other more decorative elements shine while still contributing to the overall aesthetic.
Look for containers with those classic apothecary jar shapes—wide bodies with fitted lids or cork stoppers. The form matters more than the material.
Vintage Laboratory Glassware
Test tubes, graduated cylinders, and beakers are examples of laboratory glassware that looks great in apothecary décor. I showcase interesting bottles on antique lab stands, store cotton swabs in test tubes, and use vintage beakers as vases.
The scientific aesthetic aligns perfectly with the pharmaceutical theme. Plus, the clear glass showcases whatever you put inside while the measurement markings add visual interest.
Creative uses for lab glassware:
- Beakers as planters or vases
- Test tubes as single-stem flower holders
- Graduated cylinders for bathroom storage
- Petri dishes as small trinket holders
Check scientific surplus stores or online marketplaces for affordable vintage lab glass.
Leather-Bound Books and Journals
Old apothecaries were places of knowledge, so books fit right into this aesthetic. I keep a small stack of vintage medical and botanical books on display, and they add instant gravitas to any shelf or table.
Deep browns and aged colors are ideal for leather-bound books (or contemporary books with leather-look covers). Old pharmaceutical texts are fascinating, but you don’t have to read them. The key point is the texture and visual weight they provide.
Stack them on coffee tables, use them to add height to shelf displays, or keep them on bedside tables. Books always make spaces feel more lived-in and intellectual.
Apothecary-Style Lighting Fixtures
A room’s aesthetic can be made or broken by its lighting. The entire room was changed when I replaced my plain bathroom light fixture with an industrial-style brass one that used Edison bulbs. My apothecary decor is perfectly complemented by the warm metal and vintage bulb style.
Look for fixtures with exposed bulbs, brass or copper finishes, and simple industrial designs. The goal is lighting that feels like it could have illuminated an old pharmacy workspace.
Lighting styles that work:
- Industrial pendant lights with brass details
- Wall sconces with Edison bulbs
- Vintage-style desk lamps
- Apothecary-style table lamps with glass bases
Good lighting makes all your other apothecary details look even better. It’s worth the investment.
Green Glass Bottle Accents
Green glass bottles are underappreciated apothecary decor heroes, but amber and cobalt garner the most attention. Vintage green bottles are frequently less expensive than their amber cousins, and their delicate green hue complements both warm and cool color schemes.
I mix green bottles into my collections for color variety. They work especially well in kitchens and bathrooms where you might want something slightly less serious-looking than all amber and cobalt.
Use them as vases, storage containers, or purely decorative objects. The color alone does most of the work.
Wooden Labels and Tags
Beyond printed labels, actual wooden tags and labels add dimensional texture to your apothecary displays. I attach small wooden tags to bottles and jars, and they create this collected, authentic look.
You can buy blank wooden tags and hand-letter them, or find pre-made vintage-style ones. Either way, they add a layer of handcrafted detail that printed labels can’t match.
This works especially well on bottles you’re actually using for storage. The wooden tag elevates them from “random container” to “intentional apothecary jar.”
Enamelware in Apothecary Spaces
White enamelware with black trim has that classic pharmaceutical look. I use enamel trays to corral collections of bottles, enamel cups for holding brushes and tools, and enamel containers for storage.
The material retains its vintage medical appearance while being robust and useful. The contrast between amber glass and brass and white enamel is especially pleasing.
Look for pieces with minimal chips for display purposes, or embrace the worn look for authentic vintage character. Both approaches work.
Pressed Botanical Specimens
Pressed flowers and leaves can be framed to produce reasonably priced art with serious apothecary credentials. I press herbs from my garden and write their Latin names by hand on each one. They appear both personal and professional.
The beauty is that you can make these yourself for almost nothing. Press plants between heavy books, mount them on good paper, add labels, frame them simply. Done.
Create a gallery wall of pressed botanicals, or use individual specimens as small decorative accents throughout your space.
Apothecary-Style Furniture Hardware
Furniture hardware is an important detail that most people overlook. I used antique brass cup pulls that appeared to have been taken from an old pharmacy cabinet to replace generic knobs on a dresser. For such a minor detail, the transformation was ridiculous.
Look for hardware with labels slots, decorative backing plates, or that classic brass cup-pull shape. These small touches tie individual furniture pieces into your overall apothecary theme.
This works on any furniture with drawers or doors—dressers, nightstands, cabinets, desks. It’s an easy DIY upgrade that makes a huge visual impact.
Making Apothecary Decor Work for You
Here are 25 ideas for adding an apothecary feel to any space. This aesthetic’s adaptability is what makes it so lovely. For subtle references to the theme, you can add a few amber bottles or go all out with a vintage pharmacy.
The best strategy, in my opinion, is to start small and gradually expand your collections. As you discover what works in your space, let your apothecary decor develop organically. Choose the elements that work for you and your way of life; not every room needs every detail.
Making a museum-quality replica of an 1800s pharmacy is not the aim. The warmth of amber glass, the weight of fine materials, and the sense of purpose and concern that those vintage apothecaries embodied are all things that need to be captured. The details hardly matter once you’ve got that feeling down pat. Your room will feel more unique, purposeful, and you.
Now go forth and start hunting for those amber bottles. Your future apothecary-inspired self will thank you.