Guest Blogger: How to Beautify your Home with Vintage Details

Guest Blogger #457, Entry #1083, April 11, 2012

If you’re sick of permanently changing the decor in your home to fit in with contemporary trends, then a way to save time, effort and money if to give it a vintage overhaul. Focusing on furniture, ornaments, other interior design elements and accents can turn them into the focal point of the room, so it’s important to pick the right ones.

Beautify your home with vintage details

How to distinguish vintage finds

It’s also important to know what exactly vintage, or “retro” furnishings (as they’re sometimes referred to), are. It could be argued that it is open to interpretation, but it seems to be generally accepted that most items of furniture and styles from the 1920’s to the 1970’s fit into the category. However, many experts try to differentiate between vintage and retro. Whilst to the untrained eye, the two may be the same thing, some antique dealers and interior design experts tend to restrict retro to things from the 60’s or 70’s.

Decorating your home with vintage pieces

There are many reasons people may choose to add a vintage touch to their décor scheme. It is a great way for people to reminisce and hark back to the so-called “good old days” when life was seen to be easier. Also, as mentioned earlier, vintage décor and style has a timeless quality which can be beneficial to those who don’t wish to keep changing their interior décor to represent the times.

When redesigning a home, it’s often a challenge finding a good starting point. Finding traditional, hand-crafted items is a good idea and they should help accentuate a room with a vintage feel. It’s not an issue if the item is carrying a little bit of wear and tear as this adds to the effect. You may even wish to add to this effect with the use of sanding paper or a different lick of paint. Introducing this “shabby chic” look into your home is a particularly cost-effective way to decorate as you won’t be spending money updating the interior of your home as fashions change.

Seek vintage decor inspiration from multiple places

Where to find vintage items

The first place many people will think of when it comes to shopping for vintage items will be antique shops. Whilst in theory these should be the easiest place to find your perfect vintage items, it’s worth remembering that the owners and dealers are experts. As a result, they are unlikely to let any bargains slip through their fingers. Because of this, it’s worth thinking of different places you might be able to pick up a bargain. Whilst car boot sales, flea markets and auctions may not be your idea of a fun day out, they are a good place to pick up items that may have slipped under the radar for a fraction of their worth.

It’s also worth thinking about smaller features in the room which may not be focal points, but will complement the existing furnishings nicely. Lampshades, cushions, curtain poles and other additions to a room can work well in conjunction with items of furniture and other fittings without taking too much attention away from them.

The final thing to consider is wallpaper. With the right colour scheme and pattern, wallpaper can go a long way towards creating the perfect vintage look in a room. A flowery pattern, for example, can create a real 70’s vibe and bring back memories. Mixing and matching is the order of the day when it comes to vintage, and it’s up to you to determine what works well for you.

Jack Oldham is a journalism graduate blogging on behalf of Poles Direct, specialists in metal and wooden curtain poles, along with a number of window treatment accessories.

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