Some of the most popular interior design trends today revolve around a clever use of all things vintage and antique. What’s more, the newfound love for mixing and matching the old with the new allows for a lot more freedom in home décor as well as a unique and personal touch. In general, well matched antique bits and pieces can add dimension, texture and warmth to your home environment.
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Looking for antiques
You may get scared at the mention of the word “antique” and assume that just one piece can cost you an arm and a leg. Of course, that can be true – if you look for your furniture and décor at antique galleries and shops that deal with centuries old, extravagant pieces. However, antique nowadays refers to anything that simply doesn’t look modern and is reminiscent of the past decades. So, if you don’t want a Queen Anne’s cabinet for your bedroom, you can definitely find some great deals and vintage pieces at flea markets, thrift shops and even garage sales. This, however, means that the best finds will await you only if you take the trouble to patiently browse and look through all the offers that come your way.
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Matching the furniture
When it comes to vintage/antique furniture pieces, as mentioned, the hottest trend nowadays is to match them with the modern ones. For example, vintage chairs can look absolutely stunning when matched with a modern dining table or a coffee table. The same effect can be achieved with antique tables and modern sofas and chairs. This balance is necessary if you don’t want to overstep the line and end up with a kitsch and gaudy look that doesn’t feel pleasant. Moreover, matching the old and the new in your bedroom can be effectively achieved if you stick to the color pattern. In case you have an antique desk or a wardrobe, make sure that the nightstands and bed have the same shade of wood. If only one furniture piece in your entire room is antique, introduce vintage-inspired wall décor, such as large paintings, to add some harmony to the whole look.
When it comes to vintage/antique furniture pieces, as mentioned, the hottest trend nowadays is to match them with the modern ones. For example, vintage chairs can look absolutely stunning when matched with a modern dining table or a coffee table. The same effect can be achieved with antique tables and modern sofas and chairs. This balance is necessary if you don’t want to overstep the line and end up with a kitsch and gaudy look that doesn’t feel pleasant. Moreover, matching the old and the new in your bedroom can be effectively achieved if you stick to the color pattern. In case you have an antique desk or a wardrobe, make sure that the nightstands and bed have the same shade of wood. If only one furniture piece in your entire room is antique, introduce vintage-inspired wall décor, such as large paintings, to add some harmony to the whole look.
Introduce little details
Mixing and matching your furniture and other larger objects is a tad easier compared to the smaller decorative bits and pieces. In general, you have a better grasp of what furniture layout fits your taste and achieves a good balance. On the other hand, it’s fairly simple to get overwhelmed with antique decorative details. You should be very careful not to overstuff your personal environment with these because you will only create clutter, and there are no benefits to living in a cluttered space. What’s more, too much antique clutter can again look really distasteful when paired with the rest of your furniture. In that respect, use these decorative details as statement pieces. A vintage tea set, intricate statue or some other figurine, a music box, a vintage mirror, etc., can all look absolutely stunning if they are the main display piece in your room. Of course, other sleeker and more modern details can match these nicely if you keep your decorating task minimal.
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What about kitchens and bathrooms?
For some people, it’s relatively easy to work with this interesting interior style when it comes to their living room and bedroom. However, kitchen and bathroom can prove to be a bit of a challenge. Don’t feel pressured into piling up antique décor in these two rooms. Your kitchen can look amazing with all of your modern elements if you just add a set of antique pictures or even a tapestry. Furthermore, you can always use decorative plates and pots for pops of antique décor, as well as create your own backsplash with vintage-inspired vinyl wallpaper. Similarly, dark timber in your bathroom can make a huge difference. Free standing tubs can look great, but if you don’t want to invest in renovation, feel free to mix the wooden elements with antique gold details. Thanks to the waterproof metallic spray paints, you can transform any surface you want.
There are plenty of other interesting details that you can add to your mix of modern and antique home interior. Rugs, cushions, curtains, antique-looking frames, and lighting shades are just some of them. Still, as mentioned before, you have to make sure that the antique bits and pieces don’t overshadow the modern ones and vice versa. Always strive for balance and harmony as you keep the desired impact in mind.
