Retro and vintage styling comes in many guises and there are so many ways to incorporate retro, vintage and antique items and decor into your home. Vintage and retro pieces can add interest or be a reminder of your past, and sometimes they are just a little fun. Whether there is a specific era that you love, or you have a collection of family heirlooms you love to show off, there is a way to style vintage items in any home. Even if you think of yourself as a lover of modern style, there’s likely to be something from eras past that catches your eye or fits your style.
So, without further ado, here are some ideas for adding retro and vintage style to your home.
What classifies something as vintage, retro or antique?
Firstly, let’s talk about classifications. These are not hard and fast rules but they may help you when shopping around.
Antique always makes us think of our grandparent’s homes and has likely been in and out of fashion during the last few decades. Pieces from the 60’s through to the 80’s are known as retro and before that up to 100 years is considered vintage. Decor and furniture from the previous century are most definitely antiques!
Styling antique, retro or vintage furniture
Use a piece of vintage or retro furniture as the focal point in your room. It should stand out, without clutter, but should also fit with the other tones and materials in the room.
Starting small with something simple like a vintage or retro side table is a great way to get into this type of styling. We love using these old pieces for drinks tables which are always a great focal point in a dining or living space.
Don’t forget to upcycle!
Just because it is old, doesn’t mean it needs to look shabby. Give wood a good sanding or a lick of varnish and reupholster tired fabrics to give your vintage furniture a new lease of life. One way to make your retro furniture stand out is by reupholstering in bright and colourful fabrics.
Make use of vintage and retro patterns for decor
Patterns from the past make great styling notes for your home. Find a vintage fabric that you love and get cushion covers made. This can work with any chair, sofa or bed, whether it is vintage or not.
Another inspired idea is to frame some vintage or retro wallpaper as art for your walls. You may not want the bold patterns and colours of 60s wallpaper on your walls, but a small section in a frame look great against more neutral colours.
Start small with antique, retro and vintage accessories
If the idea of taking on an upcycling project with antique furniture is too daunting, or totally not your style, then keep it simple with some interesting vintage accessories. Vintage mirrors look great, add light, drama and a sense of space to any room. These look really lovely hung in a collection.
Vintage teapots and other china are easy to get hold of in antique markets and charity shops and they make fantastic decorations. Add faux flowers or use them for jewellery storage.
Vintage lamp bases paired with a contemporary shade make fantastic accent lighting in even the most modern homes. Don’t forget the rules on buying the right lampshade for the size and shape of your lamp base. Check out our lighting blog for more lighting tips and ideas.
The new rather hipster vintage styling trend is to use ‘useless’ old items as decor. Old suitcases, broken film cameras and even stage props are used to accessorise alongside new and contemporary items. You can have a lot of fun with sourcing this kind of ‘random’ stuff.
Where to buy antique, retro and vintage homeware
We love vintage styling because it’s as much fun to source as it is to style! In Hong Kong, the markets are the best place to search for antique, retro and vintage items, while in the UK the car boot sales and charity shops are the vintage gold mines.
You can also find your local antique shop, although items may be pricier. Our favourite vintage shop in Hong Kong is Common Room in Princes building which is like a treasure trove of retro and vintage furniture!
If you are looking for something specific, then eBay and Gumtree offer the most choice.
When starting out with vintage and retro styling, stick to the 80/20 rule. 80% of your home should stick to your original concept and style and with the other 20% you can have a little fun with a new concept like vintage styling. This can give a contemporary home a little edge and intrigue. Now, go out and have fun sourcing your original antique, retro and vintage items!
