They say that trends eventually come back around, and this may perhaps be why so many people are choosing to decorate their living spaces with vintage antiques and heirlooms. Antiquing, a design strategy growing in popularity over the last few decades, is the act of shopping or bargaining for objects that are perceived to have higher value because of their age. While decorating with antiques can lead to some beautiful spaces, there are also some tricks you may want to know in order to prevent your home from looking like a dusty museum rather than a trendy, put together interior.
Mix Old and New
While some people are afraid that mixing modern design and vintage antiques is a recipe for disaster, quite the opposite happens. Antiques give modern spaces more character—they tell a story of history, and can make any modern space more appealing.
Don’t be afraid to mix antiques from different parts of history or the world. Layering antiques from different time periods and locations adds texture and visual interest to your interior. Just like you wouldn’t only decorate with a singular color, don’t limit yourself to just one style of antique.
Create Focal Points
One of the biggest pitfalls in decorating with antiques is allowing your space to be overwhelmed with collectibles, or displaying antiques all throughout your home as a museum would. The simplest way to combat this problem is to group your antiques together. This technique creates focal points within each space which allows them to garner the attention they deserve without causing your home to look like a museum of natural history.
Look for Good Bones
Antiquing is a skill that requires time and patience. Some of the best finds are in the roughest shape when you come across them; they just need a little TLC to return to their former glory. Don’t be afraid to breathe new life into antiques that may not be beautiful at first glance. Reupholster a dingy chair to create a fun addition to your living room, or re-dye a rug that has faded over the years. Remember that someone’s raggedy looking junk can become your next treasure; you just have to be willing to use your imagination.
Get Creative with Your Time
Don’t have free time on the weekends to go searching flea markets or antique malls? Consider virtual antiquing. According to The New York Times, one website, 1stdibs.com, is a virtual antique marketplace that allows visitors to bid and purchase antiques from the comfort of their home. The trend of online antiquing has grown tremendously in the past years, and is a great way for you to decorate your home with antiques without ever leaving your house.