Antique furniture or vintage furniture is never going to go out of fashion. They are indeed a wonderful addition to any contemporary home. They are timeless and if you’re getting an original antique furniture piece for your house, you’ll fall in love with the character and the history it brings. There are a lot of ways in which you can incorporate antique/antique-looking furniture in modern interiors.
Firstly, you need to consider the interior style of your house. If you have a modern house with minimalistic décor and clean lines, then you’d want to have the kind of antique furniture that’s more subtle. You can choose items that have simple structures, natural materials and probably a muted colour palette. This can include antique tables, chairs, or cabinets made of metal or wood.
On the contrary, if you have a more traditional-styled house, you can incorporate more ornamented antique furniture like armchairs, sofas, and antique dining tables that are all upholstered in rich fabrics and are intricately carved with lots of details.
Antique furniture in modern interiors adds a sense of warmth and character to the interiors, which may otherwise feel impersonal or sterile. You can also make an antique piece the focal point of the room and it can serve as a conversation starter for new guests, especially if the piece has a history or an interesting backstory.
How I Did It
Here’s how I incorporated antique-looking furniture in a modern house. This is the master bedroom of the house and the client wanted a different look for this room from the rest of the more colourful and vibrant theme.
Now, this is a complete set of an antique bed, wardrobe and dresser mirror. I had to remove a wall from the room and combined the dressing area and the bedroom to properly fit this bulky furniture. The Amirah would never fit in the limited space of the dressing area.
This was an interesting experience too. So, when we removed the wall, we got a long straight wall where we placed the Amirah and the dresser unit in line. In another post, I will show you how the other sides of the room looked with the bed and a contemporary TV unit that we created from scratch to go with the overall antique theme.
It was another challenge since we had to match or contrast the laminate with this wooden finish.
But all in all, everything turned out pretty well.
The Experiments
I am also happy about using a shade of green for the wall colour in this room instead of going with the usual shade of white. Credits, where it’s due, it was the client’s personal choice and I only gave them a visualization of how it would complement the room theme.
I am so glad I went out of my comfort and tried something new. The experiment was fruitful and everybody loved the final look.
One more unique style that I incorporated is to install the wallpaper, not on the focus wall, but on the ceiling. Of course, it was done subtly down the heaviness of the room from the antique furniture. But it was perfect.
I couldn’t have had wallpaper on the bed’s back wall because the bed was already quite huge and it would look much cluttered. The headboard was high and not much wallpaper would be visible anyway.
So, instead, I pasted the wallpaper, which was, btw, chosen by the client, on the ceiling, and also in the middle portion of the TV unit.
Anyway, coming back to our main discussion…..
Selecting the Right Antique Furniture
Antique furniture is better in quality than mass-produced modern furniture. Antique pieces are mostly crafted by skilled artisans with traditional methods and high-quality raw materials. Hence, they are longer-lasting and more durable than modern furniture.
You must do your research before you go out to purchase antique furniture. You should approach a reputable dealer only. Choose items that are in good condition, have been properly restored and are authentic. Also, check the sizes and measurements of the pieces concerning the space you have so it’s a proper fit.
Some companies manufacture antique-looking furniture also. So, if you’re tight on budget but love antique or vintage-theme interiors, you can check them out and purchase some ready-made pieces.
Just make sure they’re a proper fit. If you’re not so sure, you can hire an interior designer (like myself) and take their suggestions on how to properly arrange the furniture in your house and how to incorporate them well in the modern house plan.
Matching the Antique with the Modern
Lastly, you must check how your antique item complements the rest of your modern décor. You can mix-n-match the antique pieces with the contemporary ones to create an eclectic and unique look, or you can go for a more cohesive style by sticking with just the antique theme overall.
Since the houses are now smaller than how they used to be 50 years ago, it can be tricky to plan out huge antique furniture in your tiny rooms. It’s always best to take help from a professional. Trust me, it’s all going to be worth it in the end.
In case you need some help in choosing the right designer for your house, do give this a read-
5 Tips on How to Hire the Right Interior Designer
I hope it helps!
You can also always write to me with your queries or if you’re looking for quick suggestions.
Conclusion
Antique furniture in modern interiors can add functionality and aesthetics to your house. It adds character & warmth to your space. Only a knowledgeable person can truly appreciate the history and craftsmanship of an antique piece. There are several ways in which you can incorporate them into your home décor. With proper research and with the help of a reputable dealer, you can get the right antique furniture. It should fit your interior style perfectly and enhance the overall aesthetics of your home.