Vintage decorating style is unusual, unexpected, and unique. It uses items from the past to create a warm and nostalgic look in a place. According to interior designers, the vintage decor is all about filling your home with charm and character. “Modern” vintage style is combined with more modern choices for a take that is fresh, yet full of the beauty and history from the past. If your home is due for a design update, here are a few ideas and inspiration for how to create a vintage style in your home decor from scratch.
The Entryway
The entryway can easily be neglected when decorating since technically is not even its own room. However, your entryway serves as your guests’, but also your first look into your home. If you want the warm feeling to wrap you the moment you step in your home, adding vintage elements to this space is a must. The easiest (and cheapest) way to do it – put a vintage white brick wallpaper. However, if you want to give the area more warmth and create an impression that welcomes – place your grandmother old chest of drawers in the entryway. You can also add big transparent jar or old vintage gas can to display flowers instead of your typical vase.
The Living Room
When it comes to the living room, for achieving “modern” vintage, we advise you to pair vintage items with fresh and calming neutral colors. This is because if you are using vintage decor, which already makes a statement on its own, it is best to minimize all the other distractions. This way, the selected vintage items will really stand out.
One of our favorite vintage design updates for a living room is a stand out reading chair. This corner of your living room is really easy to create since all you need is a unique and comfortable chair in front of your bookcase. If your space allows it and you are up for a more vacation-like feeling, try hanging greenery next to it.
Old books are a great way to fill your home with warmth and charm. Old books can give your room a breeze of adventure and tradition, and it is effortless to use them as decoration items. You can just stack them up or add a few more old items in between them. You just can not go wrong with old books.
Setting up a bar station in your living room can be an exciting update. More interestingly, using it as an end table (especially when space is limited) to display blooms or art is just amazing. You can also experiment with the walls around it by adding some new art pieces.
The Dining Room
If you have a dining room and are looking for a fun and exciting way to instantly update this space in vintage style, we suggest testing the waters with a mid-century vintage rug. This floor covering will add more warmth and texture to your dining room. It can also clearly designate an eating area if you have an open floor plan, and not to mention, it protect your hardwood floors from scratches and damage.
Another idea to introduce vintage elements in your dining room is through introducing an accent wall. An accent wall visually jumps out at you. It will be a bold and unique focal point that can add a beautiful pattern and color to your dining room, and importantly, it can be easily pulled off. For example, you can use removable vintage wallpapers. Just look how beautiful this floral design looks.
The Kitchen
One of the best ways to update your kitchen in vintage style is by installing china cabinets. The more of them you use, the better. And the brighter and colorful they are, the better! They will beautifully define the style of your kitchen, reflect the mood and feel of your cooking space, and bring a little extra sun in it.
Of all vintage kitchen trends, installing a vintage kitchen sink is our favorite. This item is not per se low-cost, but it really adds a feeling of history and uniqueness in your kitchen. Also, you can coat the floors in a glossy layer of paint to really brighten things up. The bonus here is that if they are glossy enough, they will be easy to clean.
The Bedroom
The bed is the most crucial focal point of a bedroom. There are so many available options when it comes to buying a vintage bed or bed frame. Regardless of what you fancy – from iron bed to rustic one, our advice is to go big! A big bed allows you to shift around in your sleep, but it is also beautiful. This, of course, if your bedroom allows it. Also, for an added vintage touch – have more (two to six) pillows on your bed. Place the larger pillows towards the back, and the smaller pillows towards the front, and do not be afraid to match different patterns.
If your budget allows it, another popular decorating idea used by designers is to have a fantastic chandelier over your bed. This will make the bed an even more amazing focal point, not to mention that it will add a touch of glamour and romance to the room.
The Bathroom
Your bathroom is your private heaven, and when it comes to decorating it, it deserves our full attention and creativity. After all, it is a space that we use every day. We really like the idea of a beautiful, old school bathtub. Make it a design feature. It goes wonderfully with a vintage mirror. If you happen to have a wooden floor in your bathroom, even better.
Nothing is more vintage than small tiles in a bathroom. They give such a captivating look to the area. However, be careful, they can provide the walls with a grid-like appearance – making your bathroom feel smaller.
Final Thoughts
Decorating a home in a vintage style decor can be exciting, but challenging. Decorating in this style does not mean you should use items that are old, faded, or worn out. In fact, the real challenge is to know the difference between vintage goodness and junk. Since it can be hard at first to know whether the selected items will fit in your house, take your time thinking through it before you buy anything. Try to imagine how each room will look like in the end. And always, we mean always, aim for designs and items that make you comfortable, different, express your personality and make your rooms welcoming and cozy.
