Do you have heirloom furniture you’re wondering how to incorporate into your modern space tastefully? Perhaps you have your eye on an antique table, cabinet, or armoire but aren’t sure how to make it work.
You’re not alone.
Many people are refreshing their homes and blending styles both old and new. It might be intimidating at first, but there are a few pro tips interior designers use to create stunning rooms. And you can too.
Here, we’ve made it easy to mix modern and antique furniture by offering these design industry secrets for how to do it right.
So let’s get started!
1. Consider the Purpose
One of the best places to start when you’re mixing modern with vintage and antique furniture styles is considering the purpose of each piece.
What does that mean, exactly?
Well, you already know that blending different styles can make a room seem chaotic if it’s not done correctly. But one of the primary reasons for that visual chaos is incorporating pieces of different styles that serve the same purpose.
For example, avoid having side tables from different eras. Stick to one style for glassdomain sofas, but feel free to add an antique armchair that works well with them. If your storage is modern, keep it that way (but add vintage accents to fold them into your overall vision).
2. Stick to a Color Scheme
Not all interior design styles require staying focused on your color scheme. But when it comes to blending modern and antique furniture, it’s wise to choose a color palette and stick to it.
Being true to your color scheme can help different furniture styles blend seamlessly into the same room, creating an aesthetic that’s both unique and refined.
But don’t worry: you don’t need to search the world for an antique armoire painted in the exact shade of dusty, sage green that will fit your space perfectly.
3. Paint and Refinish Older Pieces
Yes, you read that correctly.
Don’t be afraid to alter your favorite items to complement other pieces of furniture. In fact, you might be pleasantly surprised at how a few coats of paint or a new wood finish can transform the role that piece of furniture plays in a room’s atmosphere.
Want to keep a more simple aesthetic? Try refinishing wooden antiques to match the tones of your modern furniture.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, consider exploring trendy styles like painting antique pieces in bright or metallic colors, so they make a statement.
Pro tip: if you’re not comfortable painting or changing the wood finish yourself, ask a professional furniture specialist or interior designer to help!
4. Find Other Ways to Play It Safe
If you’re already venturing outside your comfort zone to blend antique and modern furniture styles, don’t add undue stress with overly creative decor.
You can balance the creativity of your mixed furniture by anchoring the rest of the room with simplicity.
You might stick to neutral, solid colors for rugs and throw pillows or choose understated art for the walls to inspire a more mellow, relaxed vibe.
5. It’s All About Accents
Selecting the right accents can make a massive difference by unifying different pieces of furniture.
Are you welcoming an antique side table into your modern mix? Consider placing a small, geometric vase or frame on top to create visual unity.
You can also feature heirloom figurines by displaying them in a sparse, thoughtful arrangement on modern shelving units.
The possibilities are endless!
6. Rearrange When Things Don’t Feel Right
Don’t ever feel like your room arrangement is a permanent commitment.
Whether you’re experimenting with new design styles or just feel that your current setup is no longer working for your needs, simply moving your furniture and decor can change the dynamic of any room.
How?
Furniture placement can make a room seem bigger and more open. It can also shift the focal point so that pieces you want front and center take the lead while others play a perfect supporting role.
Make as many adjustments as you need to manifest your vision for each room.
Conclusion
Fortunately, modern interior design trends have encouraged blending furniture styles to incorporate vintage and antique pieces with your contemporary favorites.
Refer back to these tips if you ever feel lost. And don’t forget: the key to mixing modern and antique furniture is using your intuition and personal tastes to create an aesthetic you genuinely love.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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