If you’re looking for ways to add personality and character to your home, blending antiques with modern furniture is a good way to do so. Old and antique furniture and décor can add a touch of authenticity, sentimentality, and history to your home.
Incorporating antiques is also much more eco-friendly than buying all-new pieces.
However, incorporating antiques into modern spaces without making them look disjointed and off-putting can be difficult. To give you a hand, we gathered all the important tips that will help you seamlessly incorporate antiques with modern pieces.
So, if you have any doubts about mixing modern and antique pieces, we hope we can remove them.
Take a balanced approach
Mixing different styles can look very messy and not at all harmonious if you don’t do it right. That’s why you should be careful not to go overboard with either style.
Pick two eras that you really love and mix pieces from these eras.
The scale is really important when you’re placing furniture and décor in your home. Antiques are much bulkier and more ornate compared to modern furniture. They were made for different lifestyles and spaces, so you’ll need to move them around the space until you find the place where they fit best.
Try the 80/20 decorating rule
If you want to create a balanced and harmonious design, in addition to being careful with scale, you should also try out the 80/20 decorating rule.
Assuming you’re not an antique collector, this rule will be very useful to you because it will help you choose the number of antique and modern pieces in the room.
The rule suggests decorating your space with 80% of modern pieces and 20% of antiques. This rule is there to help you strike the right balance and not overwhelm the space with too many antiques.
Refinish and repurpose old pieces
Sometimes we want to incorporate antique pieces in our décor, but they just don’t fit. What to do in that situation?
While preserving antiques is important so that they don’t lose their value, that doesn’t mean that you can refinish and repurpose them. Sydney Mobile French Polishing is an expert company in antique restoration, so you could consult with them about how best to refinish or repurpose your antique piece without making it lose its value.
For example, reupholstering a vintage piece can make it feel more modern without sacrificing its charm and value. Changing the color of your vintage piece is also another way to make it fit your space.
Add dimension with vintage textiles
Since we mentioned upholstering, we should also add that the fabrics you choose can add dimension to your space. But that’s not all, vintage rugs, carpet runners, pillows, curtains, and so on, are all the décor items that can bring in warmth and dimension into your space.
So, don’t be afraid to incorporate an old colorful Turkish rug into your design. Shag-pile area rugs are also a good idea to add texture.
Bring in lighting and reflection
If you find mixing antique and modern furniture difficult, then start with something simple like lighting. Incorporating lighting fixtures is a simple way to start mixing old with new.
You can add a vintage pendant chandelier to your space. Ornate vintage chandeliers can immediately add character to an otherwise modern space.
Similarly, adding antique mirrors to a modern space is also a great way to bring light and reflection to a room. In addition to that, a vintage mirror with its frame can also add color and visual appeal.
Add oversized pieces to small spaces
A large statement piece can make a small place seem much larger. A large armoire, a massive dining room table, or a mid-century plush sofa can add grandeur to a small modern space.
This large piece will also be a statement piece in your modern room. So, when choosing what to incorporate, choose something that won’t overpower the modern pieces in your room.
Use antiques as accent pieces
And if you’re too afraid to bring in oversized pieces, you can always use smaller antiques as accent pieces in your modern room. For instance, a small side table can be a great addition to your space.
An antique vase or a mirror can also make a great impact. The goal is to not be afraid to experiment and mix and match old and new.
Conclusion
Mixing antique and modern furniture and décor is a great way to create a cozy and inviting home. If you’re a fan of blending different eras, just go for it. There are no rules when it comes to creating a design you love in your home.
Be bold and experiment with the pieces you have. Hopefully, these couple of tips can help you create a livable and inviting space in your home.
Author name: Erin Lane
Author bio: Erin Lane is a creative writer and lifestyle blogger from Canberra, Australia.
She is a hard-working, organized, dedicated professional interested in learning new things. With five years of experience in writing, Erin has covered numerous topics, including health, fashion, fitness, makeup, home improvement, decoration, business, and finances. Erin is an active person who enjoys nature and traveling.
