10 Ways to Mix Vintage Pieces Into Your Modern Interior Design

Mixing vintage pieces into a modern interior design can add a great deal of character and charm to any space. Generally, the most habitable interiors are those that can’t be pinned to a distinct era or decade but they incorporate features from the history of home design. Modern homes today, though beautiful, often lack the architectural detail that older homes once encompassed. Incorporating vintage pieces into a modern design can add a unique history and a sense of personality that adds allure and detail to a modern space.

A quick note on vintage vs antique: anything more than 20 years old but less than 100 is usually considered vintage. Modern, on the other hand, can occasionally refer to midcentury design from the 20th century, or be used as a synonym for current and trendy, which commonly refers to anything that is less than 10 years old up to brand new.

Here are 10 ways to mix vintage and modern decor into your home interior design:

1. Mix and Match Vintage and Modern Furniture

One of the challenges of incorporating old and new pieces is figuring out how to make the mix of periods and styles work together while maintaining an overall feeling of cohesion. One of the easiest ways to incorporate vintage pieces into a modern interior design is by mixing and matching vintage and modern furniture. For example, a vintage armchair can be paired with a modern sofa or a vintage dining table can be paired with a modern chair. If you love vintage pieces but are feeling intimidated by buying them, start with small furniture pieces such as end tables or wood stools, and smaller decorative pieces to get a feel of incorporating them into your space.

2. Follow the 80/20 Rule

When your trying to mix styles a great rule of thumb to follow is the 80/20 rule which utilizes the idea that 80% of your room or home in a primary style and the other 20% will be your secondary. This rule helps a room to look cohesive and less chaotic but combines the features that you're trying to achieve. For example, if your living room is filled with a modern media console, coffee table, or cabinet you’ll want to use vintage decor as the accent to these pieces rather than trying to blend larger-scale vintage pieces into the space.

3. Create Texture and Contrast

If your styling goal is to achieve a higher percentage of a modern feel, mixing texture and contrast will exhilarate the visual interest of the space. Three of the best ways to begin incorporating vintage pieces that will provide texture and contrast are by adding vintage light fixtures, rugs, and artwork. For a less expensive option, try pairing decor with texture contrasts like marble accessories, darker wooden accent pieces, or books.

4. Follow a color scheme

Trying to mix too many disparate style elements will create a confusing rather than cohesive look. To downplay this, try to create a common color scheme that can be repeated through patterns or similar materials. Ideally, vintage and modern furnishings should be combined by at least one mutual characteristic.

5. Mix Different Wood Tones

A key element in mixing wood tones in home design is to try and stick with either cool tones or warm tones that complement each other. Neutral tone woods are often mixed with cool or warm tone wood pieces and collaborate very well with modern or vintage furnishings. A great example of this would be to select a cool-toned wooden credenza and a wooden coffee table with the same cool or neutral tone base.

6. Using Oversized Antiques in Smaller Spaces

Playing with antique proportions helps bring a sense of grandness into smaller spaces. To achieve the right balance, start with a focal point like a vintage wooden dining table and compliment it with modern accent pieces. Another example would be utilizing a vintage armchair paired with a contemporary rug or a vintage chandelier with modern wall art.

7. Accessorize with Lighting

Use vintage lighting as a statement piece in a room, such as hanging a vintage chandelier in a modern living room or a vintage pendant light in a minimalist kitchen. When choosing the right vintage light fixtures that complement your modern design style, opt for light fixtures with clean lines and simple shapes, such as a vintage chandelier or pendant light with a minimalist design.

8. Incorporate Vintage Leather

Leather is often overlooked in vintage furnishings but leather is versatile and a great way to tie a space together. Incorporating leather pieces also helps to take away some of the white-collar feel and add an adventurous appearance. To achieve a balanced look, choose vintage leather pieces with clean lines and a modern design that complement your overall aesthetic. Use vintage leather as a statement piece, such as a vintage leather armchair in a modern living room. The benefit of vintage leather can add depth and texture to a modern space, and its warm, inviting texture can help soften the clean lines of modern design.

9. Use Modern Versions of Vintage Decor

Though vintage pieces can be timeless in their aesthetic, they certainly can lose their functionality over the years. Things like wooden trunks, old record players, and clocks are stunning, but they often have not kept us with the times. Search the market for modern updates to your favorite designs. For instance instead of using an outdated record player opt for a completely modern audio system to compliment your vintage decor.

10. Let The Decor Reflect Your Life

Are there any decor pieces that you have handed down to you from relatives? Photos or books?These can easily be combined in a modern design. It’s easy to try and replicate what you see on Pinterest and magazines, but with so many ideas and possibilities it's easy to lose your own personal decorating style. Let your personality and life experiences shine through. The perfect marriage of modern and vintage decor style reflects a sort of dynamic growth as your style evolves with you.

There you have it! When mixing vintage pieces into a modern interior design, it's important to strike a balance between old and new. Too many vintage pieces can make a space feel cluttered or outdated, while too few can make a space feel uninspired. The key is to choose vintage pieces that complement the overall design aesthetic and work well with the modern furniture and accessories in the room.

Additionally, consider the condition and authenticity of vintage pieces before incorporating them into your design. Choose vintage pieces that are in good condition and, if possible, choose authentic vintage pieces over replicas. Mix and match vintage and modern furniture, use vintage accessories and incorporate vintage textiles, lighting, and wall decor to create a sense of history. These are just some of the ways to mix vintage pieces into your modern interior design. A home should be a collection of things you love and find meaningful, not a catalog of coordinated furniture. With a little creativity and careful planning, you can create a unique and visually interesting space that seamlessly blends old and new.

For help creating a space you love in your own home, contact us for a free discovery call to see how we can help!