Steeped in history, vintage pieces have stories to tell and add a personal touch to the interior, whether it’s a cherished heirloom handed down through generations or a lucky find picked up in a yard sale.
“Not only do these meticulously crafted pieces stand the test of time, but they bring much-needed character and charm to what might be a more modern home,” explains interior designer Emma Sims Helditch.
Here we’ve compiled a selection of inspiring ways to incorporate antiques and vintage finds into your home along with some expert advice from interior decorating experts.
Decorate with vintage
There are many styles of decorating with luxury, but many interior decorating experts agree that when it comes to choosing vintage pieces, you should buy what you love rather than what you think might be valuable.
The first steps for anyone beginning their luxury decorating journey should begin with what the person likes, rather than focusing on value. It’s about finding the pieces that speak to you on a personal level. It’s not necessary to spend a fortune right from the start, says interior designer Henriette von Stockhausen.
Antiques add a sense of charm and history to a room. Go for what you love, rather than what you think might be valuable or on trend, Louise Rowe, founder of the nostalgic homeware brand, adds to Charland England.
Mix the old with the new
(Photo credit: Kelly Wearstler)
For interior designer Kelly Westler, the key to decorating with luxury is mixing pieces from different eras.
I am a firm believer that in every age there is an incredible design and I stop by for many different periods – I love mixing decor, décor, Bauhaus and Mid-Century Modern décor; Sticking to one era can be fairly one note. If you buy all of your new furniture, it will quickly look old, but if you take the time to coordinate and shop in a variety of places, you will end up with a timeless room.
“I start researching furniture early in projects, and taking the time to find the right pieces makes all the difference. I’m always looking for a balance between vintage and contemporary. If I buy a new sofa, I’ll probably look for an antique coffee table, so that they meet each other,” adds Kelly Whistler. (Opens in a new tab).
Combine different styles
(Photo credit: Paul Massey)
When decorating with vintage pieces, don’t feel all you need to match, says Henriette von Stockhausen, but follow your heart instead. “The truth is that the more creative and compelling the interior design, the less successful it will be,” she says.
Some people may get bogged down by the need to focus on one period or type that probably reflects the time the house was built. This can be important for those trying to return a room or house to the original design. But my approach with clients is to encourage them to mix pieces from different countries, styles, and periods, if they are comfortable doing so.
Invest in quality parts
(Photo credit: Brent Darby)
For many interior designers, the appeal of choosing antique furniture over modern is its longevity.
The materials used were generally very high quality – hardwoods, unusual woods that people don’t use now, silk or embroidery. For quality, design, and durability, antiques compare very favorably with modern furniture,” explains interior designer Susan Dellis. (Opens in a new tab).
To make sure you’re buying a quality piece and not a copy, “Check for the authenticity of the antiques you’re buying — there should be labels, hallmarks, or details on the manufacturer’s website and often a Certificate of Authenticity,” says Clara Ewart, Head of Design at Kitesgrove (Opens in a new tab).
Embrace ancient textiles
(Photo credit: Chloe Jonasson)
Whether presented through pillows, lampshades, or bedspreads, vintage textiles are a great way to inject a room’s color, pattern, and softness into the interior—you can even hang a panel of fabric as a piece of wall decor.
Handcrafted with exquisite craftsmanship, there are beautiful antique fabrics available from around the world displaying a range of different techniques, from Indian Kantha and Japaneze Shibori quilts to embroidered Suzani panels from Central Asia.
“I love that vintage textiles are unique, and I am drawn to colors and patterns that tell the tales of time,” says Chloe Jonason. (Opens in a new tab)Who makes beautifully handcrafted homewares along with providing blinds, drapes, upholstery and custom design service. “They have some muted elegance which makes them easy to mix and match because the muted colors work well together.
Choose antique lighting
(Photo credit: Brent Darby)
With so many beautiful decorative designs available, antique and antique lighting is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners wanting to make a decorative statement.
says Lucy Tong, owner of decorative antiques and lighting dealer LCT Home (Opens in a new tab).
We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for both vintage and antique wall sconces in the past few months, and there has always been a strong desire among many of our style-conscious customers to secure that key piece of vintage designer lighting, the focus used to lean more toward ceiling lights, whether they’re brackets or chandeliers.
However, recent trends have put a lot of emphasis on securing that unique piece of lighting for the wall, whether it’s a pair of beautiful naturally inspired plant and animal sconces, or a stunning statement light, our customers’ appetite for wall lighting that is decorative as well as functional is stronger than ever, Especially from the sixties to the eighties.
Vintage cut up cycle
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
Whether it’s restoring a mid-century armchair, giving a touch of paint to an old sideboard, or framing new artwork with an old gilded frame, giving old finds a new lease of life is a great way to create unique pieces for your home, plus helps reduce waste too. . Pieces like these would work perfectly in design styles like the Retro Revival look.
“There are so many places to find great antiques, and I don’t need a big budget to find pieces that can be restored, upholstered, and refurbished whether you choose to go to a decor show or an auction house,” Clara says. Ewart, Head of Design at Kitesgrove.
“Reusing pieces of furniture or lighting one time will also provide a great sense of satisfaction to continue the life of an item that might otherwise have been discarded.”
Play with texture
(Photo credit: Julia Dempster)
They feature beautiful vintage ornaments, antique pots, books, and crafts that make beautiful pieces to decorate shelves. I prefer to use contrasting materials but with a minimal color palette when I’m decorating with vintage pieces. Interior designer Julia Dempster explains, I limit colors to a maximum of three (Opens in a new tab).
When designing a shelf, “Don’t make all of the items on the taller shelf the same height. Not only should you vary the materials, you should mix the heights as well.
Incorporating vintage pieces into the kitchen
(Photo credit: Brent Darby)
If you’re looking to create a vintage kitchen, adding freestanding pieces of furniture such as cabinets, sideboards, or buffet tables will instantly add character and create a more laid-back feel.
‘It’s definitely worth taking the time to find vintage pieces to divide a room,’ says Helen Parker, Creative Director at Devol, ‘that can really make a difference in the final look and always add character and personality. (Opens in a new tab).
Although fitted kitchen cabinets are great for maximizing storage ideas, freestanding vintage pieces boast beautiful antique motifs, which, when used with cabinetry, can help deconstruct the unification of a space. Freestanding kitchens can also be easily reconfigured if you are looking to change the kitchen layout, plus they can be taken with you if you move home.
Take a cue from architecture
(Image credit: Gina Biveley)
When decorating with art décor or an antique wall, drawing inspiration from the room’s architecture is a good place to begin by suggesting Julia Dempster.
“In this living area, I chose fabric pieces like the St. Frank’s 3D Feathered Juju hat and handwoven tribal baskets from Fragments of Identity,” she says of this farmhouse-style Pacific Palisades home.
“The architectural features were curvilinear, and I wanted the artwork to accentuate the architectural elements, so the three pieces were chosen to reflect both the wall and the colors and textures within the sisal rug and cushions on the sofa.”
Bring antiques to the bathroom
(Image credit: Future / Polly Eltes)
Bathroom ideas can run the risk of feeling cold and clinical, but introducing antiques and vintage finds is a great way to add warmth, texture, and character. Why not install modern sinks over a Victorian sink to create a unique and playful vanity unit.
Think creatively about how to achieve a new goal for old or unwanted items, suggests Henriette von Stockhausen. There are so many ways to incorporate antiques, perhaps the only rule is not to be afraid to mix and experiment. Old paraffin screens can become cabinet doors, rugs can become headboards, urns can become lamps and tables can become kitchen islands! Creativity is key – let your imagination run wild and tell your own story! “
How do you mix modern and antique décor?
“Always style vintage pieces with a mix of more modern elements, as you don’t want to create an old movie in the living room,” explains Louise Rowe. “I love the warmth and comfort that vintage wood and textiles bring to interiors with a worn patina – try wrapping an antique suzani on the back of the sofa to add a focal point to the room.”
“Retro and collectible accessories will also add timeless weirdness and provide a space that may be fashionable but lifeless, and a true sense of depth, character and soul,” says Martin Waller, Director of Andrew Martin.
They’ll highlight the simple background they’re sitting on, highlighting your modern and meticulously thought-out scheme, while adding something original from which to start the conversation. I mean, figuratively and literally, there should always be a surprise in the room to create visual excitement as well as something new to talk about with the guests.