Oliwia Whyte 
One of the best and most timeless ways to bring some character and history into your home is with antique and vintage pieces. But how can you incorporate them into your space while still maintaining its modern aesthetic?
Are you an expert antique hunter or have inherited some of great-grandma’s old furniture? Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of ways to incorporate these items into your home decor. Here are some tips for creating a stunning aesthetic with them.
1. Keep it simple
No matter the age of your antique family heirloom or that lucky find from a yard sale, incorporating vintage and antique pieces into your home decor can give it an ageless elegance. However, mixing them up may prove daunting at first.
When adding antique pieces to your home, it’s essential to keep things simple. That means not overcrowding the room with an overabundance of items from the same era and keeping them all grouped together in one area.
Harmony is another essential design principle, one which states that elements should flow together harmoniously visually.
Particular care should be taken when adding antique furniture into a room already filled with modern pieces, as it may create the appearance of two opposing designs battling for space. To prevent this feeling, try to incorporate some of the colors from your vintage item into at least two other objects in the space.
2. Make it the focal point
When adding vintage and antique pieces to your home decor, it’s essential that you select items that will stand out. This can be achieved through artwork, lighting fixtures or furniture that draw attention to a specific area of the room.
When decorating with antiques, it’s wise to keep the color scheme neutral. Doing so helps prevent the room from becoming overly cluttered and disorganized.
Another way to make an antique focal point stand out is by selecting a warm color palette. This will allow the wood of your antique to stand out against walls and other elements in the room.
Finally, when selecting vintage or antique pieces, be sure to choose items that complement each other and your decorating budget. Doing this will guarantee the pieces work together harmoniously and create an aesthetically pleasing ensemble.
3. Mix it up
One of the simplest ways to incorporate vintage and antique pieces into your home decor is by mixing them with more recent purchases. This combination creates an aesthetically pleasing combination that’s both deeply personal and highly stylish.
When mixing styles, remember the 80/20 rule: decorate 80% of your space in one primary style and reserve 20% for accent pieces. This ensures that 80% of the room looks unified throughout all styles.
By doing this, you can create an aesthetic that matures over time rather than one that appears chaotic or outdated.
Another successful way to blend modern and vintage pieces is by adding various textures. Contrasting wood-based antique pieces with vibrant textiles can help break up the monotony of an older item while keeping it in harmony with its contemporary counterparts.
4. Keep it timeless
Incorporating vintage and antique pieces into your home decor can give it a timeless aesthetic. These items tend to be classic yet understated, emphasizing quality over quantity.
Traditional and vintage elements, such as classic patterns, ornate details like moldings and carvings, and antique furniture can add a timeless charm to your decor.
To achieve these design elements, try using neutral colors and adding natural materials such as wood, stone, and textiles.
To achieve a harmonious aesthetic, balance modern and vintage furnishings correctly. Ideally, use 20% antiques and 80% modern pieces in your design.
