There’s a reason so many people love including vintage pieces in their contemporary interiors. Antiques and salvaged goods add character, elicit nostalgia and are often excellent conversation starters. They also allow sentimental items to be deservingly displayed without overpowering the space. Yet, seamlessly balancing old and new designs isn’t easy. These tips can help you achieve the ideal aesthetic.
Antique Throwbacks Create Fresh Interior Style
The grandmillennial style has taken the design world by storm in recent years — a nod to your grandmother’s home blended with today’s design trends. It’s about styling outdated furniture, trinkets and artwork in new and exciting ways.
The grandmillennial style became more popular during the pandemic when people craved a sense of comfort and familiarity as they hunkered down at home. Millennials, in particular, are interested in putting a personal stamp on their dwellings with one-of-a-kind furnishings and antique finishes.
Of course, the style aligns with the trend of at-home sustainability — a step away from mass-produced furniture and the integration of carefully curated, affordable pieces made to last. The outcome is a cozy, relaxing environment with a fresh design aesthetic for modern living.
5 Design Tips for Combining the New With the Old
Cluttering your home isn’t difficult when you’re trying to integrate antiques into modern design. It takes time, trial and error, and careful attention to detail to get it just right. Here are five tips for incorporating vintage pieces into a contemporary space.
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Create a Timeless Backdrop
Ask any design expert, and they’ll tell you neutral shades will never go out of style. In fact, these timeless shades continue to evolve, with antique blue and green undertones making a comeback.
For instance, a muted sage complements historic wood materials and makes a brick fireplace stand out. Meanwhile, a dusty blue-green color is ideal for a dining room with walnut wood floors and antique furniture.
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Add Vintage Hardware to Modern Cabinets
Despite shaker cabinets originating in the 18th century, this kitchen aesthetic is a cornerstone of modern design. Shaker cabinet faces are sleek with utilitarian flat surfaces. However, you might decide to soften their appearance with vintage hardware.
Vintage knobs and pulls tend to have aged finishes with ornate patterns reminiscent of the Baroque and Victorian eras. Brass or gold can infuse nostalgia and warmth or create luxurious beauty. Meanwhile, dark wrought iron or bronze hardware may be ideal for mixing old and new farmhouse interiors.
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Repurpose Vintage Treasures
Thrift stores, antique shops and even your collection of family heirlooms contain endless treasures you can carry into your contemporary space. An old trunk might become your new coffee table in the living room, while antique plates make beautiful artwork for you to hang on your dining room or kitchen walls.
You could even replace a door in your house with a salvaged one or make a bookcase from an antique ladder. Repurposing vintage items presents plenty of creative opportunities to put a special antique touch on your modern design.
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Add Depth With an Antique Rug
An antique rug will ground a large living room or bedroom and create a focal point amid contemporary decor. Using antique, vintage or traditional style rugs is a favorite technique for us at Pamela Hope Designs. For visual interest, you might choose a colorful pattern, such as a Persian or Oriental design, for under a leather sofa or glass coffee table. A good rug instantly elevates a space and makes it feel important.
Measure rug size based on your furniture arrangement, not the room’s square footage. Don’t worry about trying to cover most of the floor, although — as a rule it’s best to size up rather than buy a rug that is too small. Of course, we always suggest you have the correct measurements when shopping for rugs. We can provide those dimensions for clients by either measuring on site with you or from floor plans.
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Use the 80-20 Rule
The 80-20 rule — known as the Pareto Rule — is commonly used in interior design. For example, a designer may apply it to accent colors with a primary neutral shade. However, you can also use it to create the right balance of old and new items.
Just as the formula limits brighter hues to 20% of a room, you should only allow 20% of the room’s elements to be antiques. The additional 80% can be reserved for transitional or modern pieces to keep your interiors from feeling stuffy. This also helps ensure less clutter and more coziness.
Paying Homage to the Vintage Home
Mixing antique pieces into contemporary interiors is the perfect recipe for adding warmth and comfort to your home. However, the trick is curating only the best pieces, not overwhelming the space. Pay homage to classic designs with just a hint of vintage flair.
Evelyn Long is an interior design writer that helps young renters and homeowners style their spaces. She’s written for well-known publications like the National Association of Realtors and Decor Matters, and she currently acts as the editor-in-chief of Renovated Magazine.
