Need some tips on How to Incorporate Antiques into Your Personal Style? Sue hope these give you some inspiration.
Antique decorating has grown in popularity and is deeply rooted in our connections to the past, a love for storytelling, and the desire to bring nostalgia and history into our cherished spaces.
While some people are fortunate enough to have family heirlooms and collections passed down to them from previous generations, others simply enjoy hunting for the perfect vintage pieces at antique markets.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, homeowners showed particular interest in antique decor, as online sales for vintage and pre-owned furniture skyrocketed. Chairish – an online antique furniture emporium – saw a 42% uptick in 2021 sales compared to 2020, while Etsy searches for vintage and antique couches increased by 126% between 2019 and 2021.
Antiques can greatly enhance a space. Yet, not everyone knows what to do with them. If you’re looking to incorporate antiques into your personal style, these six tips can help you.
1. Use as Statement Pieces
The kitchen is an excellent place to incorporate an antique statement piece. In addition to grounding the space, a vintage work table can add traditional flair and increased functionality for preparing meals and serving.
Some homeowners may want to get a bit creative with the type of antique table they use. For instance, an authentic tailor’s table from Europe or a reclaimed barn door table may be great conversation starters at gatherings.
Otherwise, novelty antique furniture, such as a coffee table with a Neoclassical statue base, can make a rather ordinary space more whimsical.
2. Include as Accent Pieces
Instead of incorporating antiques as statement pieces, you may prefer using them to quietly accentuate the rest of your personal style. You’ll likely find antique accent pieces are relatively easy to tie into a space.
Perhaps you decide to use a vintage rug in the living room or antique decorative pillows on the sofa. The formal ornateness found in Victorian furniture, such as a large mirror with intricate framing, could also add “golden age” luxe to your bedroom.
You may also try toning down your modern tastes with Old World charm by adding antique nightstands or side tables.
3. Purchase Reproductions and Inspired-By Antiques
Reproductions of furniture pieces and antiques inspired by world-famous artists are excellent options for tying antiques into your personal style. After all, how a piece of furniture makes you feel far surpasses the date when it was manufactured.
Modern adaptations of classic designs keep your space fresh while continuing to honor the history of the decor style. For example, the mid-century modern aesthetic is achievable by choosing geometric furniture in the style’s bold color palettes.
Many reproductions and inspired-by antique pieces are also exquisite replicas of the real thing and are conducive to achieving an older look at a fraction of the cost.
4. Repurpose Old Furniture
Salvaging old furniture and repurposing it to serve a new function is yet another practical way to integrate antiques into your home. Some ideas for repurposing antiques might include the following:
- Stacking vintage suitcases to create an eye-catching side table
- Using an old bathtub or outdoor sink as a garden bed
- Storing towels and toiletries in a vintage cabinet in the bathroom
- Turning vintage grain sacks into table runners, chair seat covers, napkins, or pillow covers
- Adding shelves to an old wooden canoe to make a bookcase
Repurposing antiques usually takes a bit of creativity, but it’s possible to turn vintage items into unique, visually attractive pieces that are more practical for the space.
5. Blend Old and New Decor
More recently, the “grand-millennial” style has taken home decor by storm. It aims to recapture age-old elements while keeping in touch with the new.
For example, homeowners might attempt to blend patterned wallpaper, a traditional brass chandelier, and a relaxed, modern dining room set as a nod to their grandparents’ flair for formal dining. Likewise, saturated spring greens with floral accented wallpaper can keep your bathroom feeling fresh while reviving timeless comfort and beauty.
Blending old and new pieces is a great way to balance old and new decor according to your design preferences. It’s easy to remove an excess of components to create a more antiqued or modern style as you like it best.
6. Display Collections
Whereas collectibles may have earned you the label of a hoarder before, displaying your antique collections is far more accepted – and perhaps encouraged – today. Maybe you have a stunning teacup collection in storage or several Fabergé egg replicas that are showcase-worthy.
Hang decorative plates with Caledonia motifs on the wall in your eat-in kitchen. For Old English charm, you might also string copper pots and pans from a rack above your kitchen island.
Vintage drinkware can also be displayed in your china cabinets or bar setup alongside an antique glass decanter.
If you’re trying to prevent too many antiques from infiltrating your favorite contemporary design, displaying collections together in one place can help contain them.
Enhance Your Personal Style With Antiques
Ultimately, the best way to incorporate antiques into your home decor is to trust your intuition. If you love something and are unsure how to work it into the space, give yourself some time to figure it out. More than likely, you’ll find the perfect spot for it.
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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