Nothing beats the thrill of finding that perfect vintage piece. But sometimes you wonder if an antique wooden chair set or an heirloom-quality rug will add that “out-of-place” feel to your modern space. Not sure? How to correctly combine vintage and modern elementsdesigners offer plenty of tips for achieving the perfect balance.
Adding antiques to a space instantly makes it more appealing. But your modern pieces also have their place.
“Blending the two gives you the best opportunity to create a space that is uniquely yours,” says interior designer, author, and home expert Jeremiah Brent. queer eye. “Modern items support function and real life, while vintage items bring individuality and a sense of “one of a kind.” It’s all about personalization. ”
Designer Leanne Ford agrees. “Here’s the secret: new things look better next to old ones,” she explains. “Patina, wear and tear, and little quirks all bring a space together and give it a feeling of enveloping comfort. They can soften the ‘fresh out of the box’ feel that makes a room look clean but unused.”
Design experts show you how to combine vintage and modern decor.
How to combine vintage and modern interiors
✔️ Reupholstering vintage furniture. Brad Thornton, creative leader and founder of Thornton Projects, says that giving retro furniture a fresher, more modern look can be done by simply reupholstering it, whether you go the DIY route or hire a professional. “This is how heirlooms work, passing on high-quality pieces and adapting them to modern needs,” he says.
✔️ Limit your style. Courtney Batten, owner and lead interior designer at Paige Studio, advises sticking to a few design styles throughout your home to avoid visual clutter. For example, you can combine modern pieces with midcentury and Victorian elements.
✔️ Choose a neutral background. Starting with a neutral background that displays both vintage and modern decor makes it very easy to mix and match styles. As Brent puts it, they work within a “clean, monastic background” and “give each piece room to breathe.”
✔️ please don’t go too much new. While bringing brand new items into a space certainly ups the functionality and modern aesthetic, Ford suggests not doing so. too much new. In fact, in her opinion, it’s better to place a large portion of vintage finds with a minimum of new items. “When everything in a space is brand new, you may not be able to explain what’s missing, but you can feel it. There’s no history, no warmth, no sense of time. Mixing in older pieces provides the dimension that was missing.”
✔️ Choose a statement item. Thornton recommends choosing “statement pieces for your space.” Either modern or vintage. “From there, layer complementary pieces in reverse style,” he says.
✔️ Items with contrast. Modern and vintage is already a study in contrast, but Batten goes beyond that in the name of creating visual interest. “Don’t be afraid of contrast; some of the most interesting spaces are those that use contrast intentionally,” she says. For example, she says, pair an ornate Victorian-era vintage Chesterfield sofa with contemporary, unexpectedly patterned fabric cushions and nearby chairs.
Shelby Dearing is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and interiors for national publications. She has been a full-time freelance writer for over 10 years, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, beautifying homes, and more. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she’s not writing, you can find her running through thrift stores and flea markets with her husband and their corgi, Dolly, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin.
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