Vintage decoration is a great way to enhance your home with creativity, adding a touch of nostalgia to any room. However, it’s easier said than done. We’ve all been in that situation where you find an incredible retro atmosphere that you’d love to emulate, but you only end up with a mishmash of old, random items that are only detrimental.
Even though retro-themed rooms are often filled with seemingly random items and design choices, being able to make those choices in the first place is an art in itself. In this article, we’ll give you some ideas on how to decorate your home like a pro.
You might want to dispose of all non-vintage items you have, say, in your living room. However, vintage home decor means reminiscent of a time period, not literally going back in time and making your home a museum.
One of the best approaches to creating the illusion of a retro ambience is matching your current furniture to vintage items. For instance, you can match your current, modern sofa with a retro coffee table. You can have a modern bookshelf and leave some room for a vintage-looking globe or model ship. You can put a vintage chair in your modern bedroom. The possibilities are endless.
The secret is cohesion. Items will be of different eras, but the key is selecting matching colours and textures. You can visit flea markets and garage sales to hunt for items or even online marketplaces.
A great way to enhance the retro look of any room is by using specific wall art. You can even create an accent wall with such items in an effort to mix styles, as we mentioned in the previous section.
There are plenty of things to choose from, and some of the most popular are painted metal signs with retro brands or messages, such as retro logos of popular soft drinks, comic-style scenes, and more.
There are less obvious items you can use to convey a vintage sense. For example, if you love 1920s glamour, you can decorate your wall with feathers and lace. Vintage wallpaper is also very helpful, but you shouldn’t overuse it.
Patterns and shapes are also important. For example, a floral rug adds a vintage look to any room. Unusual shapes for cushions and the right texture can give a retro-futuristic look which instantly throws you back to the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s.
As with the previous ideas, you generally don’t want to overdo it. Think of it as sprinkling a bit of retro touch here and there for the best results.
Other, simpler ideas are replacing the faucets with retro-inspired ones. You can use a retro mirror instead of a cabinet, retro-themed shower curtains and choose vintage lamps for lighting.
The most obvious recommendation is to use vintage appliances. There are many modern ones that emulate a classic look, and if you’re serious about it, it’d be best to get a complete set. After all, nobody wants to see a beautiful retro toaster right next to your digital, internet-of-things coffee machine. Fridges are another great choice for that purpose. If you’re up for it, you can trade your cabinets for retro ones, too.
Adding vintage or retro items can give new life to your rooms and add a lot of personality. Just remember to make it cohesive, striving for a perfect balance of old and new. If you’re in doubt, please contact us to set you up with the right interior decorating professional!
Even though retro-themed rooms are often filled with seemingly random items and design choices, being able to make those choices in the first place is an art in itself. In this article, we’ll give you some ideas on how to decorate your home like a pro.
1- Don’t Throw Away Your Modern Furniture
You might want to dispose of all non-vintage items you have, say, in your living room. However, vintage home decor means reminiscent of a time period, not literally going back in time and making your home a museum.
One of the best approaches to creating the illusion of a retro ambience is matching your current furniture to vintage items. For instance, you can match your current, modern sofa with a retro coffee table. You can have a modern bookshelf and leave some room for a vintage-looking globe or model ship. You can put a vintage chair in your modern bedroom. The possibilities are endless.
The secret is cohesion. Items will be of different eras, but the key is selecting matching colours and textures. You can visit flea markets and garage sales to hunt for items or even online marketplaces.
2- Use Retro Wall Art
A great way to enhance the retro look of any room is by using specific wall art. You can even create an accent wall with such items in an effort to mix styles, as we mentioned in the previous section.
There are plenty of things to choose from, and some of the most popular are painted metal signs with retro brands or messages, such as retro logos of popular soft drinks, comic-style scenes, and more.
There are less obvious items you can use to convey a vintage sense. For example, if you love 1920s glamour, you can decorate your wall with feathers and lace. Vintage wallpaper is also very helpful, but you shouldn’t overuse it.
3- Use Fabrics for your Vintage Home Decor
Textiles are often overlooked when creating a retro-inspired room but can be perfect, especially for your bedroom. You can use vintage pillows or duvet covers for your bed. Even modern fabrics with the right colours can convey a retro feel. This is especially true if you aim for a 1970s style.Patterns and shapes are also important. For example, a floral rug adds a vintage look to any room. Unusual shapes for cushions and the right texture can give a retro-futuristic look which instantly throws you back to the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s.
As with the previous ideas, you generally don’t want to overdo it. Think of it as sprinkling a bit of retro touch here and there for the best results.
4- Vintage Bathrooms the Right Way
Bathrooms are particularly challenging because you most certainly want to live with modern conveniences, and finding an old bathtub, including its installation, can be very costly. However, if it’s a possibility for you, it’ll help you a lot in achieving a breathtaking vintage look in your bathroom.Other, simpler ideas are replacing the faucets with retro-inspired ones. You can use a retro mirror instead of a cabinet, retro-themed shower curtains and choose vintage lamps for lighting.
5- The Heart of the Home of Yore
The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home, so it’s a crucial room for vintage decoration. It’s also one of the places where you can add more personality than anywhere else. Just by using the tips we mentioned before, especially regarding walls and extra items, you can radically change the feel of this room.The most obvious recommendation is to use vintage appliances. There are many modern ones that emulate a classic look, and if you’re serious about it, it’d be best to get a complete set. After all, nobody wants to see a beautiful retro toaster right next to your digital, internet-of-things coffee machine. Fridges are another great choice for that purpose. If you’re up for it, you can trade your cabinets for retro ones, too.
