Doilies Are Making a Design Comeback in This Unexpected Way

I love working antique items into my home decor — specifically antique linens and lace. Recently I turned a box of inherited linen napkins into patchwork curtains, but I still have stacks of vintage handmade doilies and table runners just languishing in a bin. However, an Instagram video recently inspired me to put them to good use — and if you’re in the same predicament, your shelves and tabletops will never look the same.

Instagram user Caley Svensson shared how she drew inspiration from old photos to bring even more antique charm to her pantry space by using antique lace table runners as a shelf liner. The lace trim hanging off the edge of the shelf not only looks beautiful, but it also protects the painted shelf from scratches and spills.

“So much of my design inspiration is rooted in studying old photographs — faded snapshots of the past that whisper stories through their details,” Svensson wrote in the caption of a recent post. “It’s not just a hobby; it’s one of my favorite pastimes.”

This styling technique reminded me that doilies and lace runners deserve to make a comeback — especially with cottagecore and grandmillennial styles remaining popular. To do it, just place an antique napkin or doily on a side table or bookshelf to help group a collection together, or use them to frame candle displays at the center of your kitchen table. 

You could even drape your mantel with vintage or antique lace pieces (just make sure to tuck them out of the way if you actually light a fire). 

“My mom did lace on shelves back in the ’70s,” one person commented on Svennson’s post. “For those concerned about cleaning, she used thumbtacks to attach it so we could remove it and carefully wash it once or twice a year. It really didn’t catch a lot of grease or dust.”

Someone else said, “Probably makes it easier to clean. Just wash the lace runner every few months.”

You can often find lace pieces at antique stores, but if you want something a bit less delicate, you can grab them new from sites like Bed Bath & Beyond. This runner from Bed Bath & Beyond has that vintage vibe, but is made with a more durable polyester fabric.

It’s time for me to get those lace heirlooms out of their bin and into the pantry!