The most livable interiors are those that can’t be pinned to a specific era or decade, but integrate elements from the history of home design. Incorporating some beautiful vintage or antique items into your interiors will give them a character, and if you are willing to include some old items into your space, here are some tips and ideas to do that. But first of all, let’s find out
What Is Antique Furniture?
The common definition of antique furniture is furniture that is more than 100 years old. Anything more than 20 years old but less than 100 is usually considered vintage.
Find The Right Balance
The most important point is the juxtaposition between old and new that feels fresh and surprising rather than shabby. Many dark, heavy wood pieces don’t float comfortably and would be happiest on or near a wall. Conversely, very light and leggy pieces should be placed next to items with more mass so that the room doesn’t feel nervy and uncomfortable. A balance of proportion across space offers a lot of leeway to run wild with prints, colors, finishes, and styles.
a beautiful vintage-infused living room with a neutral sofa, an antique white chair, a leather ottoman, a zebra print rug and a grid gallery wall
a bright eclectic dining room with a stained table, a lilac loveseat, neutral antique chairs and a bold artwork
a chic working space with a dark-stained desk and an antique chair, a grey one, a vintage chandelier and some vintage art
a country style dining room with a vintage stained table, some matching chairs, an antique green chair and a black bench
a couple of gorgeous blue antique chairs and a matching round storage table plus a vintage crystal lamp
Form Versus Function
Antiques often display fine craftsmanship that is harder to come by today and feature intricate wood carving, marquetry, or decorative flourishes that you won’t find in run-of-the-mill modern-day furniture. Successfully mixing modern and antiques is all about playing with your lines, making sure you have a healthy mix of streamlined and curves.
a farmhouse living room with a stained dresser, a whitewashed antique chair with pillows, printed textiles
a French country living room with a tall mirror in a carved wooden frame, a neutral antique chair with a footrest, a vintage fireplace
a mint green cottage bathroom with a vintage bathtub, a neutral antique chair, a side table with decor
a neutral Parisian living room with a fireplace clad with marble, an antique neutral chair, some antique tables and a crystal chandelier
a neutral refined space with an inlay console table, an upholstered bench, a neutral antique chair and some table lamps
Repurpose And Refinish
While nothing beats the rich patina of a quality antique or vintage piece in terms of aesthetics and value, the truth is that not all antiques are valuable or need to be preserved in their original state. If you inherit your grandparents’ old dining table, stumble on an antique bed frame at the flea market, or find a thrift store armoire with great bones but a dated finish, take a step back and imagine how it would look stripped to its bones, refinished, or transformed with a brand new coat of paint. New materials can go a long way towards adding contemporary comfort.
a refined nook with antique black chairs, leopard pillows, a side table and some greenery and blooms
a relaxing grey and blue bedroom with printed wallpaper, a bed with a canopy, an antique printed chair and a gallery wall
a sophisticated pastel space with an impressionalist artwork, a neutral sofa, an antique lilac chair, green stools and a dark-stained table
a vintage living room with paneling, yellow antique chairs, a printed rug and some artworks
an elegant and refined bedroom with a bed with neutral bedding, a couple of antique pink chairs, a dark-stained desk and a crystal chandelier
Unify With Color
One of the challenges of mixing old and new pieces is figuring out how to make the mix of periods and styles work together while retaining an overall sense of cohesion. Even the most eclectic interiors need balance and harmony. While mixing wood finishes and metals is an art in itself, sometimes the easiest way to integrate disparate elements is to unite them using the same color palette.
a bright living room with a bold and statement artwork, a gold vintage sofa, some glass tables and an antique chair redone with UK flag fabric
an elegant moody living room with green walls, a glossy black credenza, a green antique chair with a modern touch and an elegant glass side table
a neutral working space with a bold artwork, a glass desk and an antique white chair with gold touches is a lovely space to spend time in
a pastel glam bedroom with a blush bed with blush bedding, a mirror desk that is a nightstand, an antique white chair renovated with polka dot fabric
a refined space in white with black furniture for a stark contrast, a black console table, a black antique chair and a large floor mirror in a mirrored frame
a vintage working nook with a statement print, a vintage black and gold desk, an antique navy and gold chair and a matching table lamp
Statement Pieces
If you are looking to create maximum impact in a modern room with an antique piece, go bold with a large-scale statement piece like an antique armoire, a Baroque-style or Art Deco headboard, or a massive vintage farm table. Make these pieces functional and appropriate for modern lifestyles by painting, refinishing, refurbishing interiors, or adding upholstery to an antique bed frame or armchair to bring it a sense of modern comfort.
a chic neutral living room with a statement artwork, a creamy sofa, a creamy antique chaira woven bench and a neutral rug
a contemporary black and white bedroom with black walls, a white upholstered bed, a white desk, a neutral antique chair and a panoramic window with a gorgeous view
grey and white striped wallpaper, a striped antique chair and a white coffee table with a white table lamp
a stylish nook with an oversized pink flower print, a refined console table, a pink antique chair and some beautiful vintage decor
an eclectic living room with a black non-working fireplace, built-in bookshelves, a series of mirrors and an antique chair redone with polka dot upholstery
Accent Pieces
Not everyone has the appetite or budget for creating large-scale drama with a splashy antique focal point. If you love antiques but feel intimidated by buying antique furniture, start with small furniture pieces such as end tables and wooden stools, or decorative pieces like antique French gilded mirrors, lighting fixtures, and rugs. These are all the tips to integrate antique chairs into your room, which one do you like the most?
a sophisticated purple living room with lilac curtains, gorgeous antique purple and gold chairs and an emerald credenza
a chic nook with a catchy mirror wall, an antique brown chair, a duo of side tables
an eclectic bedroom with a stained carved wooden desk, an antique black chair, a gallery wall and a printed rug
an airy refined living room with a lilac antique chair, a statement artwork, a dark rug and a glass coffee table with decor and flowers
an eclectic dining room with a neutral table, antique chairs with gilded backs, a crystal chandelier and a statement artwork
an antique nook with a stained dresser, some artwork and mirrors, a black antique chair, a black table lamp and a leopard print pillow
an airy dining room with a round table, antique chairs with floral upholstery and a yellow pendant lamp is a lovely and cozy space
a glam and chic dining space with a fantastic gold and white catchily shaped dining table and antique black chairs, a large crystal chandelier
a black and white living room with black walls, a striped rug, an antique black and white chair, white curtains and a side table
a Scandinavian living room with a white sofa, a stained coffee table, an antique purple chair as a color accent and some gorgeous art on the wall
a cozy working space with a bookcase that takes a whole wall, a white desk and light green chairs, white pendant lamps