10 Ways To Decorate a Vintage Sled
Here are 10 themed ways to decorate your old sled for fun indoor and outdoor Christmas and winter decor.
One of the most fun ways to add some vintage flair to your outdoor decor is to decorate an old sled. Whether it’s a family heirloom or a found treasure, many varieties of these old kids’ toys can still be scored. Sometimes they may need a little refreshing {see my tip in“How To Refresh Vintage Sleds”}, but if you’re not going to slide down any hills with them, they should still work well for wintertime home decor! Vintage sleds have great architecture and can be enjoyed in their naked state, or they can be a canvas to add your personal style to your home! To expand your old sled decorating ideas, here are 10 Ways to Decorate a Vintage Sled, each with a little different theme.
Today’s inspiration is part of a Christmas Porches and Holiday Door Decor blog hop, hosted by Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home. If you’re coming over from Katherine’s Corner, welcome! It’s so fun to see everyone’s different styles on these hops! There are links to everyone’s posts at the end; please visit them all and Pin away the ideas!
Instead of seeing my whole porch or my door decor, I’m going to give you ideas to decorate one of the favorite porch and entryway styling pieces: the classic vintage sled. One sled, or sleigh, as some call it, can be decorated in so many different ways!
10 Ways to Decorate a Vintage Sled
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Decorate an Old Sled by going Rustic
Sometimes decorating with nature itself is the most beautiful! Add rustic and natural elements to your winter sled with plenty of differing textures.
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- bunch of sticks
- wood slices (with the addition of words) hung with twine
- pinecones
- pinecone sprays (similar, but with a copper touch)
- pinecone garland
- burlap ribbon
For a Winter Sleigh Theme, Decorate with Snowflakes and Snowballs
A grouping of glittery snowflake ornaments along with a couple of yarny snowballs dangling can bring a little snow to your outdoor decor even if you don’t have any! Hang styrofoam balls wrapped in yarn from braided yarn for snow-ball-fight decor style!
- large snowflake decorations
- glittery smaller snowflakes
- styrofoam balls
- yarn ( I used white, heathered gray, and aqua in the braid)
Add Old Fashioned Sled Decoration with Ice Skates
Add Old Fashioned Sled Decoration with Ice Skates
Want to know how to decorate a sled for Christmas? Match up what kids of old asked Santa for, an old runner sled and a pair of pretty skates! A thrift store pair of skates can easily be draped over the top of a vintage sled. Add some evergreen sprays, along with other textures peeking out of the top of the skates for texture. A simple knotted yarn scarf adds softness (to keep the sled warm of course;)
Decorate a Christmas Sled with a Wreath and Words
A smaller-sized evergreen wreath is a classic decoration for an old fashioned sled, or Christmas sleigh. For a little vintage touch, hang some bingo card bunting with words where the original rope handle used to be. I simply stenciled the letters and trimmed the bottoms of the cards. Black and white baker’s twine adds to the red and black color scheme.
- small-sized wreath (I absolutely love this one)
- houndstooth ribbon
- black and white twine (I like this thicker kind)
- vintage bingo cards
- stenciled letters
Red Berries and Plaid are Perfect for Christmas Sled Decor
The red and yellow design on this old runner sled makes it perfect for Christmas inspired decoration. A red berry garland that’s draped down the length of the sled is as easy as it is beautiful. A classic plaid flannel ribbon knot at the top is the perfect colors. An old, handmade pair of mittens clipped onto rope becomes a vase for greens. Almost as cute as a Christmas present!
Decorate a Christmas Sled with a Little Jingle
Instead of the more common vintage country style of sled decorating, go glam with satin ribbons suspending oversized jingle bells. A black snowflake and a frosty green leafy garland add to the fresh, crisp look. Anything but usual!
Decorate a Vintage-Inspired Sled with Old Christmas Lights
Were you thinking a string of electrical lights plugged in? That would work, too, but creating a string garland with old bulbs is way more fun and unique! A graphic sign at the top would add charm, too; all vintage decor for an old sled (that’s retired from it’s original purpose).
- classic light bulbs
- black and white twine
- cute vintage-inspired sign (picturing something like this)
Decorate an Old Sled with Plaid for Winter
Decorate an Old Sled with Plaid for Winter
Find a plaid scarf with your favorite colors and let it’s color scheme determine the accents. This red and gray plaid is perfectly handsome with a galvanized snowflake and red berries. The red graphics on the sled makes this the perfect combo. Freshly clipped pine boughs from the yard finish it off nicely.
For a Fun Christmas Sled Decoration Idea, Use Clothes!
Why should the snowman be the only well-dressed one in the yard? You can dress up your sled instead! A winter hat, mittens, and even a leg warmer can add whimsy to your old sled! Add some fresh cut greens, red berries and a fake snowflake. This is the “adult”version of a snowman (no rolling involved)!
Decorate an Old Sled with Vintage Junk
If you’re a junker to the core, like me, why not add some of your favorite vintage junky items to your sled? Your guests will know what they’re getting into when they arrive on your porch! (or recreate the look with newly purchased “junk”)
- Vintage wheels
- striped burlap ribbon
- vintage nail apron
- vintage clock face
- fresh pine sprays
- pinecones
Have your sled decorating horizons been expanded? I hope so! Did you have a favorite winter or Christmas sled? Maybe all these ideas have found you thinking about your old sled in a whole new way! If you don’t own a vintage sled, maybe this will give you a good reason to do some treasure hunting for one (possibly more fun than your holiday to do list;) And if your old sled could use a refresh, make sure to check out “How to Refresh Vintage Sleds”.
Have these essentials on hand when you’re styling your sled (or decorating anything!):
Don’t have a sled of your own? Check out the selection HERE!
>>Dealer’s Tip: If you sell vintage sleds, add some of these elements. You can charge a little more, and your sled will probably sell quicker than your neighbor’s booth; yours is ready to be plunked on the porch!<<
Hope your mind is spinning with all the ideas in this 10 Ways to Decorate a Vintage Sled! Next up on this Christmas Porches and Holiday Door Decor hop is Heather at Beauty for Ashes. Heather is an amazing stylist; I can’t wait to see what she’s come up with! Get out and get decorating!
If you want more ideas and inspiration for your Vintage, become an Insider down below!
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Christmas Porches and Holiday Door Decor
So many great ideas! I love how you photographed each sled in front of a snow covered wood pile. So much inspiration!
Thanks, Anna! Luckily it wasn’t too cold of a day!
You have no idea how much I love this post, Lora! You have given me so much inspiration and I would love to share some pics and your link in one of my upcoming vintage Christmas posts. I will let you know more details.
So glad you enjoyed it, Kim! I look forward to hearing from you!
Lora, you know I love this post. I’m going to feature it this week in my Christmas round-up!
Thanks so much, Ann!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea. It really helps me a lot. I would love to try this at Christmas. Keep posting such amazing ideas!
So glad it was helpful, Sofia!
I like your ideas
I have an old sled I’m working on right now + an old set of kids skis , do you have any ideas how to combine those into one display ?
Thanks
Graham
Thanks, Graham! I have another post on how to refresh and decorate with vintage skis, also, https://lorabloomquist.comhow-to-refresh-and-style-vintage-skis/ If you want to combine them, you could put the skis in an “X” behind the sled. Or you could hang them parallel up and down next to the sled (both vertical). If you have a fireplace in your home, you could put them on either side. Lots of possibilities! Hope that helps!
These are all so pretty and creative! I don’t think I can even pick a favorite…but now I want a vintage sled to decorate! Thanks for linking up to Best of the Weekend last week. Your post was one of my features! Be sure to stop by this week to see the other features and link up any other projects you want to share. Enjoy your weekend!
Shelley
Thanks for the feature, Shelley! I’ve got 4 sleds, so I get to enjoy quite a few different looks. They’re quite plentiful in my snowy state, yet they usually show their earned fun-time. I enjoy them in and out all winter (which seems to be getting longer).
Love all of these options. Thanks for sharing at To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More Link party. I pinned this! Hope to have you join us again this week.
Thanks for pinning, Sheri! Will pop over Wed!
I adore vintage sleds and I love the way you styled them!
Thanks, Larissa! And thanks for sharing, too:)
Beautiful decor! Kind of hard to find snow sleds in the deep South, though! I guess I need to recruit some northern friends to keep a look out for me and ship a sled! to me!
Great idea, Gail! Good luck:)
Wow!! I love them all. Such a wonderful way to say welcome. It’s a pleasure being on the tour with you. Hugs P.S. pinned
Thanks, Katherine! Fun hopping with you again!
Lora, you are so talented You have created so many beautiful displays. I don’t think I could pick a favorite. They are all so pretty! It has been so much fun being on this tour with you!
Thanks, Shannon! It’s so fun to see everyone’s different styles!
I love all these ideas, you are so creative Lora!
Thanks, Tania!It was a fun post, although my toes got pretty cold;)
WOW! So many creative ideas to decorate a sled. I don’t know which one is my favorite since they are all cute! So sorry I’m late to visit, this week has been super busy! Angelina @ Petite Haus
This time of year is crazy for all, Angelina! Glad you enjoyed them!
I love vintage sleds! All of these are darling!! I had 3, but gave two to others. My last one is in my entry this year. I’ve added a metal bow to it, but it could use a little more sprucing up. 🙂
hugs,
Jann
Thanks, Jann! I’m sure you’ll make it look adorable, especially if it sits next to that adorable shed you have!
Lora, I love all of these ideas! I have 2 sleds and am always searching for fun ways to dress them up.
They’re so much fun to decorate, Angie, and you can put them anywhere!
I am swooning at all the sleds!
Oh how they make my heart beat faster!
Beautiful job!
Hugs,
Karin
Thanks, Karin! I sold so many through the years; these babies are staying with me!
What cute ideas! Numbers 4 and 10 are my favorites. Now I just need to find a vintage sled.
Thanks for your vote, Carol! Good luck finding one!
What a wonderful collection of ideas! I love every one of them and there’s no way I can pick a favorite. Your snow covered lawn and woodpile make the perfect backdrop for your pictures.
Thanks, Paula! I was so excited when I realized my boys were stacking a perfect backdrop for some winter pics;)
You are blowing my mind right now, Lora! I love all of these ideas so much I would not even be able to pick a favorite because they are all that good. I seriously adore how creative you are and how you elevate ordinary objects into something extraordinary. It’s all just gorgeous. Love, love, love! Hugs, CoCo
Thanks so much, CoCo!I do believe anything can be prettied up and made beautiful with a little creativity! Fun hopping with you again!
Lora, I love all your sleds and those blue ice skates–swoon! So vintage and Christmas-y! Excited to be joining you for this hop. Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks for sharing your beautiful sleds at Vintage Charm, Lora!
My pleasure, Cecilia!
I do have an old sled which is strange since I live in Florida. I didn’t get it out this year but after seeing all of these wonderful ideas maybe I should. BTW I bought the sled at Good Will. I wish I knew the story behind it.
I love all ten! No way I can pick a favorite and the snowy backdrop is gorgeous! Happy to be on the hop with you!
Thanks, Michelle! We just got a couple inches, which was perfect for pictures:)
I adore each and every look Lora. I need to be more creative. I just prop mine up – boring! Merry Christmas!
You are creative, Cindy! But I do actually love them in their purist state, too!
Hi Lora! Your sled decor is absolutely stunning! I love each and every one of them and I wouldn’t be able to choose a favorite. You’ve given me so many ideas that I am so getting a sled to decorate next year! So happy to be hopping with you!
Glad you got inspired, Michelle! Good luck finding one in your sunny state!
Wonderful ideas and yes i have a big and small sled and now all kinds of ideas, thank you, i truly do not know how someone can be so talented.
I’m so glad you have a couple to decorate, Marlene! You’ll have to let me know what you come up with! Thanks for your sweet words and faithfully following all my creative adventures!
Girl this is your magazine feature post!!! WOWZA!
Did you take all of these shots last winter or have you already had lots of snow? This photos are amazing. You should make a set of note cards with all these sleds. Be still my vintage-winter loving heart!
Thank you so much for hopping with us. Merry Christmas friend!
We got a good couple inches just in time, Amber! And my wonderful boys will never know how happy I was when they decided to stack the tree wood in such a nice photo backdrop;) I have been thinking about note card downloads in my future, so funny you mentioned that;) I’ll tag the mags when I IG it all!Thanks for the compliments, friend! Enjoy the Christmas season!
Your sleds are adorable. I’d love to have one but they are a rarity in Texas! So pretty.
Thanks, Katie! I’m sure they’d need to be a transplant there;)
Lora I would luv for you to share this with us at Wall to Wall DIY Wednesday that runs wed-Monday’s. Pinned and I shared on IG. I luv this?
Thanks, Ann! Thanks for the invite! Will pop over!
Oh what a great post. It gave me so many great ideas!
I’m so glad it got your creative juices flowing, Ann!
Thank you so much for sharing all those pretty inspirational ways to decorate a sleigh. I am in love with all of them. Hope you and your sweet family have a Happy Holiday!
Lora! I absolutely LOVE this!!! I have a vintage sled that I decorate the same way every year. You have given me soooo much inspiration! Now I want to completely change it up, but all of your ideas are so beautiful that I don’t know which one to go with. Thanks so much for sharing! Happy Holidays!!!
Wonderful, Heather! I’m sure whatever you come up with will be amazing! Glad it inspired you! If you had (4!) sleds like I do, you could do a little of each;)
I love this post so much Lora! I can’t wait to try a few ideas on my vintage sled.
Thanks, Laura! Fun to be hopping with you again!