Love The Antique Aesthetic? Here’s How To Introduce Into Your Home

Whether you already have a period property or a modern home that you’re looking to introduce classic features into, there are plenty of ways to switch your home’s aesthetic to a more antique finish if this is your taste.

You don’t have to invest much money, either, as a vintage style is more about thinking differently about items you already have or need in your home, rather than expensive extras. Tempted and need some inspiration? Here’s how you can achieve that classical antique appeal in your home.

Go For A Vintage Fireplace

Not only are fireplaces in themselves a key feature of many period properties, but they’re also perfect for setting a specific aesthetic as a focal point. For example, an antique slate mantel compared to a wall-mounted electric fire will completely transform a room’s design.

The key with vintage is large mantelpieces and fireplace surrounds in a material and design that matches a more traditional, old-world era. Should this sound ideal, you can find the perfect vintage fireplace for your home at our fireplace shop in London.

Use Exposed Wood For Features Like Doors And Skirting Boards

Your home might not have that attractive vintage feel if you use too much bright white gloss on all your woodwork, especially on all the doors and doorframes. Instead, classic wood in a light or dark shade will help with a more period feel.

This also applies to window framing, too; if you choose a darker wood effect for window ledges and frames rather than PVC white, this will work wonders for a more vintage look.

Create Busy Walls Filled With Paintings

Vintage and period properties are a lot more about maximalism, whether that’s with beautiful items or patterns. Walls should have at least a few paintings, ideally in traditional style like portraits and with excessive frames such as gilded gold or anything wooden.

Pick The Right Fabrics

Your period design should include fabrics, such as thick fabric curtains rather than modern blinds, and also with a rich, bold design, such as tapestries or patterned materials, instead of anything that’s too plain.

For sofas and chairs, it’s a good idea to have an armchair or two, with fabric being preferable to leather. If you do prefer leather, think about period shaping and colours – darker, richer hues like browns, blacks, and earthy greens and greys work wonderfully in a vintage home.

Large Area Rugs Are A Must

The bigger, the better, too, so you can place furniture over the top of rugs for a cohesive look. For example, for living rooms, a rug that’s big enough to extend completely under all sofas, chairs and tables is a great period feature to have. The rug should also be in a more vintage style and shade rather than modern-looking rugs.

The Lighting Fixtures Will Make All The Difference

When you make an effort with all furnishings and decorating, you then don’t want to ruin the effect with modern lighting. The best options for period-feature lighting will be ambient warm bulbs, wall lights in rich golds or silver, and perhaps something a little more extravagant like a chandelier-style overhead hanging light.