Learning how to mix modern and vintage decor can feel intimidating at first. But creating a space that blends eclectic home decor ideas with timeless home decor ideas is less about following strict rules or furniture trends and more about trusting your instincts to curate a home that showcases your personality. In this home styling guide, we’ll walk you through things to keep in mind when choosing decor so you master mixing vintage and modern decor.
How to Mix Timeless and Modern Elements When Decorating
Scrolling through endless living room design ideas (or ideas for any room) can feel overwhelming when you’re learning how to mix modern and vintage decor. Decorating your space is a unique process to each person and home, but blending different styles doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few thoughtful steps, you can become a pro at mixing vintage and modern furniture to make your house feel like home.
Start With Your Foundation
An important aspect of cohesively mixing vintage and modern decor is the foundation of the room, which includes your walls and floors. A well-chosen foundation allows you to highlight modern (or vintage) home decor ideas without the backdrop outshining them, and it also helps you to better reimagine your space whenever you feel like adjusting things without having to do a complete overhaul.
Most people tend to choose a neutral base, think “greige” or an off-white. But if you prefer a foundation more rich in tone, a dark, moody color can also work well. Whether you choose light neutrals or dark and moody, create a strong foundation that reflects your personal style and the vibe you’re looking to create.
To get you started, here are some search terms to jump-start your inspiration:
- Organic green color palette
- Nutty brown color palette
- Earth tone color palette
- Greige color palette
- Bold and moody color palette
Choose Your Must-Have Pieces
Once you’ve decided on your foundation color palette, but before you start shopping for decor, identify any must-have pieces for the room. This could be anything you already have that is already guaranteed to be in the room, whether it is a family heirloom or a modern statement piece. Use that anchor piece as inspiration for the rest of your decor and furniture. Since the item isn’t going anywhere, planning the rest of the room around it will prevent it from feeling out of place, or like an afterthought.
If your must-have furniture is a piece of timeless home decor, like a vintage TV stand or coffee table, balance it with clean, modern accessories. If your must-have piece is a more modern item, offset it with vintage lighting or eclectic accents.
Invest in High Quality Pieces
One of the living room decorating ideas we always discuss with clients is quality over quantity, and this extends to your decor and furniture when wanting to know how to mix modern and vintage decor. A high-quality vintage piece can elevate a modern room while a quality contemporary piece can balance out more traditional elements and keep the room from feeling outdated.
We recommend investing in quality furniture, as it not only lasts longer, but becomes a part of your story. When you purchase high-quality furniture like what you find at Room Concepts, these items can easily become the timeless home decor your grandchildren are decorating their home around down the road. Your new furniture purchase may one day become their family heirloom!
Accessorize
If you want to add character to your space by mixing vintage and modern decor but don’t want to invest in new furniture, accessories are about to become your new best friend. From rugs and mirrors to lighting fixtures and wall art, accessories allow you to blend different eras and aesthetics affordably and easily.
Choosing accessories that repeat similar styles, colors, and shapes help create a sense of flow throughout a room and your home. For example, if you have a vintage dresser you want to use as a statement piece, balance it with contemporary wall art or lighting fixtures that play off those in other rooms. You can also use accessories to warm up a modern space with antique or vintage touches that are similar in design.
Create Visual Balance
When it comes to home decor, there are sometimes so many options and styles that it can be hard to choose items that feel consistent without feeling like you are taking a cookie-cutter approach to decorating. Mixing classic home decor ideas with eclectic touches can be its own art form, but if home design isn’t your forte, it can quickly become a challenge as you ask yourself, “Is this quirky-cute or an ugly clash?” You might especially feel this way if you frequently shop at thrift or vintage stores for your decor, where you never know what items you might stumble upon!
To the eclectic home decor shopper, we recommend that you be as intentional as possible with your choices so that you are creating visual balance. When choosing your decor, pay attention to the shape, pattern, or texture of the pieces you choose, and keep in mind the items already in your space as you’re browsing the local antique shop. Although these pieces won’t look exactly alike, the repetition of their shape, pattern, or texture will help create a cohesive style.
Creating balance also means not clustering too many pieces in one style (unless you’re going for a maximalist feel). For example, if you’re showcasing a vintage bedroom set, that will probably be the focal point of the room, so you should choose a more toned-down contemporary rug and curtains to balance the space.
You’ll also want to pay attention to scale. Whether pieces are bulky or sleek, if they take up the same amount of visual space, you perceive a more cohesive look. For example, choosing side tables that sit lower or higher than the couch not only make the side tables inconvenient for functionality, but also creates an unbalanced look.
Mix Materials and Textures
Playing with materials and textures is one of the easiest ways of mixing vintage and modern decor. If you like the look of sleek furniture, pair it with ornate wall hangings to create a balance of vintage and modern decor. The combinations are endless.
Here are a few easy ideas for texture mixing:
- Pair modern living room furniture with embroidered or fringed throw pillows
- Layer a vintage rug under a modern coffee table
- Hang antique looking frames in a modern gallery wall
- Use aged hardware on sleek cabinetry
Embrace Change
Whether you’re new to learning how to mix modern and vintage decor or a pro, interior design is a journey. Embrace style changes. One way to embrace change and timeless home decor is by refinishing or reupholstering an item. A new coat of paint or updated upholstery can give an old piece a refreshed look and help it blend with existing pieces. Embracing change means also rethinking how you use a piece in your space, like converting a cabinet into a small bar.
Learning how to mix modern and vintage decor is all about balance, creativity, and embracing what you love. By starting with a strong foundation, layering in high-quality pieces, and experimenting with accessories, you can create a home that feels timeless and personal. Now that you have the tools to design a space you’ll love, here’s where you can find timeless furniture in Pittsburgh, PA to make it happen.
Where Can I Shop for Timeless Furniture in Pittsburgh, PA?
Looking to bring your vision to life? Whether you’re just starting to explore how to mix modern and vintage decor, or you’re ready to invest in quality furniture that stands the test of time, Room Concepts has something for every style. From locally crafted heirlooms to sleek modern designs, you’ll find pieces that speak to your personal style and last for years to come.
At Room Concepts, timeless doesn’t have to mean antique. We offer a wide selection of customizable furniture made using designs and craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation. Customizable furniture is a smart way to blend new pieces into an existing space without having to scour vintage shops or settle for furniture that isn’t quite right.
Whether you’re refreshing one room or furnishing a new home, our team is here to help. From modern dining room furniture to timelessly styled bedroom furniture, Room Concepts’ curated collection is perfect for Pittsburgh homes looking to mix modern and vintage decor. Get in touch with our team today or visit us in South Hills or Wexford to explore your options and start creating a space you’ll love coming home to.
