Vintage design is a beautiful aesthetic pick that is actually quite flexible. Depending on how you set things up and what specific era you’re drawing from, your complete interior design can look either chic, grandiose, quaint, or timelessly homey. It adds a special touch that feels fun yet classy and altogether an interesting look worth talking about. It also opens you up to some great finds if you like going for authentically vintage pieces more so than simply hitting the aesthetic marks.
Although that, in itself, is quite enjoyable, it also lends itself to the risk of making everything look worn out in a way that isn’t really appealing. What you don’t want is a look that seems abused by the sands of time. It’s the difference between an antique collection and old junk. In order to achieve your vintage desires without looking like you need a modern revamp, try these tips on for size.
Don’t shy away from restoration
Restoring antique pieces to a condition that is like-new does not necessarily mean you are giving up that which makes it so of its time. Inevitably, items see degradation over time so it’s simply wiser to get things back to a usable condition so that you don’t sacrifice functionality and practicality for design. It can also help you ensure that it’ll be in a very clean condition. This is especially important for vintage items that you’ll be having close contact with often. So, you should really consider that couch or rug restoration service before you even think about incorporating it into your home space.
Even for items that you don’t necessarily need to work exactly as they were, like telephones or old clocks, a good restoration can still bring out the item’s beauty more with smoother finishes, better coloring, and sanitized parts. It essentially goes back to the pristine look it once had during its first introduction into the world.
Create a color palette to follow
Mixing and matching can be a great fun that produces awesome results, but it can also lend to things looking too much like you’ve just hauled in a bunch of stuff over time and it ends up looking hoarder-y instead of curated and well-designed. A good way to have a good overall look even if you mix pieces and even eras is by picking a specific color palette that basically dictates much of the overall design. This can help you when picking additions and thinking about where to place them, and it ties everything together nicely. Complementary colors also draw the eyes nicely depending on your execution.
Mix in modern innovation strategically
If you’re really just going for the vintage vibe but aren’t strictly picking every single item out from antique stores and markets, then simply incorporate vintage design elements using some modern finds and materials. It can give you the sturdiness and functionality you need without being a jarring addition to your design. For example, you can use a more energy-efficient modern LED bulb that aesthetically looks like an old Edison bulb. You can also mix the old with the new like Dita Von Teese and her flat-screen television hidden under a wall compartment that is covered by a vintage pin-up painting.
Decorate by piece
It’s always good to have focal points in your design so that your room doesn’t feel too empty or too cluttered, and there is a certain direction that all the furniture gears toward. It’s a design element that is always used in interior decoration and can be specific to your vintage goal. Find or pick out your “show pieces” and design around them. It can help you find the best way to create a cohesive and complementary look even if you have different eras, items, sizes, and some modern touches here and there. This is also a good way to map out the space you have and design it specifically for the way you want to use the room.
Take time to find good antiques
Don’t rush if you’re going to be vintage shopping. Though it may be tempting to scoop up the first awesome thing you see before anyone else, especially if it’s at a good price, make sure you really inspect everything so that you don’t get cheated out of your money or end up with more problems than you started with. First, you’ll want to verify the authenticity of things. Imagine paying a hefty price for a “rare collectible” that turned out to be something you can get from a gift shop.
Then, you’ll want to look at the quality. You don’t want something that is on the verge of breaking apart, and more importantly, you don’t want to take home any health hazards like items with mercury or lead.
Follow these and you’ll hit that vintage look perfectly without it looking messy or worn out.
