If you’re interested in new ways to enhance your home, vintage decorating is the perfect way to add charm and detail to your space. You don’t need to have spent a lifetime collecting antiques to make it happen, either. With some basic ideas, you can transform any room in your home with vintage furniture and accessories.
Here are some vintage style ideas to help you get inspired:
Choose a theme
If you’re not sure where to begin with vintage decor, try choosing a theme. Focusing your decor around a specific theme or idea is a fun way to keep your design cohesive. For example, you might select music as your theme and display old records, concert posters or musical instruments in a gallery wall.
Other theme ideas for adding style with vintage decor include movies, travel, fashion or food and drink. And remember, you can never go wrong with the perfect coffee table book to tie your theme together.
Spice up your storage & display
Another simple way to bring vintage decor into your home design is by using funky antique solutions for necessary storage and display space. For instance, try using a traditional armoire in your living room as a media center.
A credenza makes a charming vintage addition to an entryway or bedroom for displaying books, curios and more. Other stylish options for vintage decor include mail organizers, apothecary cabinets and vintage suitcases. An antique luggage vanity table can be the perfect starting point for a unique, vintage bedroom design.
Leverage your lighting
Replace your existing light fixtures with antique designs to instantly add vintage flair while lighting the space. Try hanging an ornate chandelier in your entryway or dining room. Wall sconces in the style of candelabras or Victorian gas lamps can turn any interior space into an enchanting vintage hideaway.
For more vintage charm, try accessorizing with mirrors in vintage picture frames. Mirrors will reflect light around a space to give it a nostalgic glow.
Get creative with colors & textures
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by details when choosing the vintage pieces to display at home. To help avoid a cluttered feel, try keeping your decor in the same color palette. This gives you plenty of opportunities to create a fun, eclectic vibe with plenty of textures while still maintaining balance in your home.
These are only a few ways to bring vintage decor into your home. While it can be tricky to redecorate your space with vintage style all at once, try visiting thrift stores for vintage furniture and other decor ideas. The more you explore, the more inspiration you’ll have to make vintage decor a perfect addition to your personal interior design.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
