Using Old Furniture as Modern Décor

In the 1900s, at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement, interior designing favored artisanal works. The inspiration of folklore and romanticism could be seen in the simple yet elegant furniture choices. However, as time went on and the wheel of globalization began to turn, various trends plagued the 20^th century, only to step into the 21^st.

Although contemporary design trends have bolstered minimalist interiors, recent changes have brought into play the use of textures and furniture pieces, which add subtle sophistication to your living spaces.

To do away with the cold and unwelcoming vibe of true minimalist design, consider adding a few pieces of antique furniture, such as a dining table or a console. Here you can find a multitude of table designs, matching your aesthetic and your home’s overall tone. Welcome to vintage modern decor.

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To spruce up a contemporary living space and give it a little personality, your focus should remain on the following things: space utilization, color schemes, and shape continuity. You can dress your interior in Victorian, Regency splendor, or a modern art deco style.

Staying Cohesive

Contemporary designing requires a critical eye and strong impulse control. While it may be tempting to add a little bit of streamline moderne here, and a little bit of mid-century modern there, integrating disparate styles into an individual space can lead to confusion instead of class.

When adding antique furniture pieces, a good rule to follow is the 80/20. 2 pieces out of 10 in your room should be united by a mutual attribute. This brings a sense of repetition and cohesiveness to your furniture choices. If you’ve opted for an ornate coffee table, you can complement it with a gilded mirror or frame, or even an artisanal lamp.

Playing with Textures

To add a little warmth into your interior, consider the use of different textures. Brighten up your room with gingham patterned curtains as they make a comeback, or consider adding a charming piece of tapestry over the back of your sofa. Even something as simple as a vintage textile runner set parallel to the length of your antique table can add the subtle sophistication and depth you hope for.

When it comes to textures, the limit does not exist. There is always the possibility of having too much going on simultaneously; however, keeping the 80/20 rule in mind, you can opt for antiques with a variety of textures.

An intricate coffee table with brightly colored velvet or leather upholstery adds a nice splash of progressiveness to an otherwise serenely set room, while opting for jute-woven chairs to go along with an unembellished, rustic table brings a homely yet modern feel.

Color Schemes

When adding antique furniture to your living space, it is important to make sure that the finish of your furniture stands in contrast or synchronicity with your overall look. While the idea is to have the antique stand out, it shouldn’t dominate over the rest of the design.

Contemporary color schemes feature neutrals, along with the classic black and white; while antiques usually showcase a deep finish, ranging between the khaki to mahogany color tone. The hues seen in antiques fit well in neutral-colored rooms, which you can take full advantage of.

If your room has a brightly colored wall, temper the tone of the room with neutral furniture and vice versa. An all-white interior can be given character by adding an antique dresser against one wall, or even a pair of stools; in such settings hues of brown work best.

In a mostly black interior, antiques with a dull gold finish, inspired by the era of industrialization serve to bring out the most of the on-set while creating a characterful contrast. Using big antique pieces in small areas helps widen the look of the room while the play of colors adds dimension.

Clean lines

When rearranging the interior, a very important factor to keep in mind is the overall effect the room’s setting has on the occupant. Contemporary designs lay special emphasis on continuity of shape, and although the odd shape adds a little vivacity once in a while, maintaining a dominant balance remains imperative.

Contemporary architecture and design trends cash in on the clean lines and geometric sides mantra that works to bring a creative, yet organized feel.

Set up big and small antique dressers alike, on the underside of stairwells or in corners that may otherwise remain empty. You can change up the finishing of your antique by painting it a more contemporary color such as forest green or teal when placing it against a neutral wall.

While there are no rules against the addition of curves, be sure to limit their usage.

A round carpet under your coffee table, lamp, or console can help ease the blunt, edge-to-edge look that minimalist designs can fall prey to.

Additionally, you can offset contemporary architecture or open living space by incorporating furniture pieces with rounded edges to give your home a cozier look while maintaining taste.

When incorporating antique furniture, the main idea is to create a bold statement with it, but at the same time remaining simplistic and tidy.

Today, home interior sees many variations, each per the preference of the owner. For those of us who enjoy a touch of class and can find it in us to control our impulses when decorating, a contemporary minimalist design, integrated with a touch of the pre-industrialization era can do wonders.

The incorporation of large antique tables, consoles, dressers, and other accessories remains true to the sacredness of the ‘less is more’ utterance. However, by adding textures, well-thought-out color schemes and aptly placed light sources, you can bring out a balance that speaks for itself.

In the design world of today, the trend is based on preference. Your vintage furniture can be mixed and matched with your contemporary pieces with ease. All that is needed is a focus on the color scheme you’ve opted for and the 80/20 rule, to make sure your living space looks chic and not eek!

Parcel Two Door Drawer Console

Steve Hackenberg

Steve is a connector for Amish Tables with a passion for content writing and love for the outdoors and his dog and passion for indoors remodeling. You will often find him jogging around, or drinking a cup of joe whenever he's not at his desk.