How To Style Your Home With Vintage Charm
May 31 2023 6:16 PM
Not everybody wants a state-of-the-art, contemporary home. While there is nothing wrong with innovative gadgets and design features, some things never go out of style. Vintage home decor, whether it is authentic or simply vintage-inspired, is timelessly charming. You can add a great deal of personality to your home by taking inspiration from decades past and including a few well-selected historical gems. Read on to discover how to style your home with a vintage twist.
Do Your Research
When deciding on a vintage theme for your home, you could either go for an eclectic, post-modern feel with varying pieces from throughout history, or you could try and recreate the ambience of one specific decade or an instantly recognisable period of time. For instance, you may want to evoke the 1970s with eye-catching prints, bold patterns, geometric shapes and warm hues. Do your research and decide which elements you want to include for a coherent living space - you could even create a mood board using an online platform such as Pinterest.
Browse Vintage Emporiums
Vintage emporiums are the best environments to search for pre-loved treasure. While antique marketplaces can be pricey, the more you explore, the more bargains you may discover. You may be fortunate enough to have a vintage emporium in your hometown; however, vintage pop-up markets are incredibly popular and ideal for finding unique historical pieces for your home. Furthermore, many vintage sellers are more than willing to haggle for a fairer price.
Charity Shops And Car Boot Sales
It is always worth scouring local charity shops and car boot sales in the hopes of finding a vintage bargain or two. Most charity shops will list high-value vintage items alongside cheap, mass-produced items - this is due to the fact that they are run by volunteers, many of whom don’t understand the value of certain vintage items. The good news is that you’re more likely to grab something extraordinary for next to nothing, provided you’re willing to browse and sift through many substandard bits and pieces. Furthermore, purchasing from charity shops benefits the environment and supports many excellent causes.
Statement Furniture
You can add a lot of vintage charm to a room by including statement furniture items, such as sofas, coffee tables, bureaus and bookcases. Due to traditional carpentry methods and the use of high-quality materials, vintage furniture is often remarkably durable. After a bit of attention, such as a fresh lick of varnish or some structural repair work, your pieces can look as good as new. When it comes to styling statement furniture, balance is key. Allow your unique pieces to take centre stage and speak for themselves.
Vintage-Inspired New Pieces
If you want a vintage look without the hassle of sourcing and refurbishing legitimate vintage pieces, you can achieve a similar aesthetic with vintage-inspired furnishings and accessories. For instance, swap your modern dining chairs out for oak dining benches and opt for vintage-style crockery and table decorations. Additionally, use high-quality organic textures and materials, such as wood, stone, cotton and wicker, for a timeless look that will bring a sense of warmth to your environment.
Antique Lighting
Swapping your modern lighting fixtures for vintage or vintage-inspired alternatives can be a small change with a significant impact. Consider opting for authentic antique statement lighting features such as elegant brass chandeliers and refurbished table lamps. Opt for multiple light features throughout a space to create soft, overlapping pools of light to enhance the vintage ambience and create a calming atmosphere.
Upcycle Vintage Finds
As you peruse vintage emporiums and antique shops, you will find many furniture and ornamental pieces that have seen better days, requiring some much-needed TLC. Upcycling is an ideal way to breathe new life into old items while retaining vintage charm. While you may not have the skills to restore certain gems to their former glory, you can always reuse and repurpose vintage pieces to give them a new life.
Make The Most Of Your Home Features
If your house was built before the 1960s, it might have stunning vintage features that have been covered up over the years with paint, carpet and wallpaper. While ripping up the brand-new carpet in your rental property may not be feasible, your home may feature such delights as original hardwood floors, Victorian tiles and ceiling medallions. Some features are more than worth the time and effort of restoring and may even boost your home’s resale value. Here is a guide to discovering and restoring your home’s original hardwood floors.