Brooch Decorating Ideas: 10 Ways to Display Vintage Pins

The simplest way to decorate with brooches is to group them on a surface that holds pins: a fabric-covered board in a frame, a shadowbox, or a padded wreath form. Group them tightly, hang them where you'll see them, and they read as one piece of art instead of loose jewelry.

If you have a drawer of old brooches that never get worn, you're in good company. Below are brooch display ideas for a whole collection, a few small projects, and some ways to wear one that don't look like your grandmother's coat.

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Why decorate with brooches?

Brooches are small, detailed and often sentimental, which makes them good wall and shelf material. Metal, enamel, glass stones and pearls catch light in different ways, so a cluster adds texture to a plain wall without needing much space.

They also solve a storage problem. A pin in a drawer gets tangled and scratched, while one on a board is visible and protected.

How to display a brooch collection

Use a brooch display frame

A brooch display frame is a picture frame with the glass removed or set aside and a padded fabric panel inside. Wrap batting and linen, velvet or felt around a piece of stiff board, fit it into the frame, and pin the brooches on. Dark fabric makes gold and crystal stand out. Light fabric suits pearls and pastel enamel.

Arrange the pieces on a table first, take a quick photo, then pin them in the same order. Leave a little breathing room between the pieces so the pin backs don't catch each other.

Try a shadowbox

A shadowbox works for chunkier pieces, or for brooches you'd rather not poke through fabric. Glue or stitch each one to a backing board, and the depth of the box protects them from dust. I recommend this option if you have a very old or fragile piece, since it avoids repeated pinning.

Cover a wreath form or a bulletin board

A fabric-wrapped wreath form turns brooches into seasonal decor. A cork or linen-covered pin board does the same job with less work and is easy to add to as the collection grows.

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Easy DIY brooch display: step by step

This diy brooch display takes about an hour and needs no sewing skill.

1. Choose a frame with a flat, deep-enough back. Remove the glass and backing.
2. Cut a piece of stiff cardboard or foam board to fit the opening.
3. Layer a thin sheet of batting over the board, then wrap fabric over it and tape or staple the edges at the back.
4. Place the board in the frame and secure it.
5. Lay out the brooches, adjust until it looks balanced, and pin them in.

Hang the finished frame on a hook rated for its weight. Pins add up, and a heavy cluster can pull a light picture hanger off the wall.

Things to do with old brooches beyond the wall

Not every brooch needs a frame. Here are other things to do with old brooches:

• Pin one to a throw pillow cover or sew it on, and remove it before washing.
• Attach a brooch to a curtain tieback for a small accent.
• Glue one to the center of a picture frame, a mirror corner or a trinket box lid.
• Add a few to a shabby chic wreath, a lampshade or a jar lid.
• Use a pin as a decorative closure on a gift or a bouquet wrap.

Glue is permanent and can damage a valuable piece. If a brooch is an heirloom, pin it or mount it so it can come off later, and keep gluing for costume pieces you don't mind losing.

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Where to find brooches

Thrift shops, estate sales, flea markets and online resale sites are the usual sources. Odd single pieces, with a missing stone or a bent clasp, are often cheap and fine for craft projects. Family jewelry boxes are worth checking before you buy anything.

How to style a brooch in a modern way

Moving a brooch out of the lapel is the quickest update. Pin it on a collar, the strap of a bag, a beanie, or the cuff of a shirt. Wear a single bold piece on plain clothing rather than a crowded cluster. A few mismatched small pins together on a denim jacket also looks current.

At home, the same logic applies: one or two large brooches on a plain wall can look more modern than a dense, symmetrical grid. As for whether brooches are back in style, they have been showing up as accessories again, but a display only has to please you.

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Keep a display safe from pets and damage

Pins and clasps are sharp, and small stones can come loose. Hang displays above the reach of dogs and cats, and keep loose brooches off low tables. If a pet swallows anything, call your vet right away. Also keep framed pieces away from direct sun and humidity, which can fade fabric and tarnish metal.

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Frequently asked questions