One of the biggest hurdles when doing any project is often the first: Where do I start? Whether you’re itching to upgrade your entire home or you’re just starting to dip your toe into the antique & vintage decor pool, we hope this post will offer you a few fun ideas to inspire your transformation. This list focuses on 10 ways to easily switch up your home décor with functional and stylish antique pieces. As the saying goes, There’s no better time than now!
1. Transform your kitchen countertop with antique confit pots, jardinières, wooden breadboards and bowls.
Store your spatulas, whisks, and other kitchen utensils in a confit pot or jardinière for decorative and easily accessible counter storage. Add in vintage tins or miniature shelving for storing spices, grains, and coffee. Wooden antique bowls are perfect for showcasing fresh tomatoes and cucumber, whether you picked them from your garden or from the store around the corner.
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2. Swap out your bedside lamp or add extra reading light with antique and vintage lamps.
No need to hire an electrician! Top your entry way table or console with an inviting antique lamp to upgrade your entryway. Add a gilded floor lamp to any room for the elegance of a chandelier without the effort.
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3. Complement your TV and media center with a sturdy antique case piece in your favorite style to transform your living space and viewing experience.
Still have the same TV stand from your college days? Replace that one piece that’s overstayed its welcome with an antique or vintage one to instantly upgrade your room while adding ample storage for DVDs and electronic accessories.
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4. Invest in antique paintings and frames.
Cover up those naked walls while adding another dimension of style and color! Pair antique and vintage art with family photos for a truly touching and memorable statement. Add in pieces as you find your favorites, and you’ll have a beautiful collection before you know it to last for generations.
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5. Simply swap out or add an antique nightstand or commode next to your bed to transform your bedroom.
Nightstands are often overlooked when revamping the bedroom, but with such a small piece you have the power to add a whole new level of style while adding ample storage. Bonus points for adding an antique or vintage lamp (#2)!
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6. Add an antique armchair or two for a reading nook or as an accent chair to any room.
Antique and vintage chairs are a great way to play with color and patterns, so have fun with it! Create a cozy corner to curl up with a good book. Add a classic solid color or patterned upholstered chair to add charm and elegance next to your sofa or in any room for extra seating.
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7. Incorporate a buffet, console, or commode as a bar for entertaining or a unique extra kitchen island.
Showcase family heirlooms and photos while adding storage and style. Create new possibilities for your kitchen by expanding it with a fantastic antique piece. Elevate your next party with an impressive surface to complement your hors d’oeuvres. They don’t call it a buffet for nothing!
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8. Ramp up the romance by replacing your bathroom mirror with an antique one.
Instantly brighten your morning routine with a touch of whimsy through hand carved and gilded mirrors. Or make your living room appear larger by adding an antique mirror behind your sofa in place of artwork. Incorporate a small mirror into your hallway photo collage for a sentimental touch.
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9. Place a vanity or foot stool in your bedroom or bathroom for added comfort.
These little footstools are perfect for use in every room and are great additions to reading nooks or for extra seating in a pinch. Light and small, they can be easily moved from room to room as needed.
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10. Place petite tables in corners or near doors for multi-room use.
Antique nesting tables, wheeled small tables, and the like are perfect multi-room solutions for extra surface area with added charm. Pop a few in the living room by your sofa to enjoy later as TV trays for entertaining. Add in soft touches like flowers in a decorative vase or some candles when not in use.
We hope you’ve been inspired by this list to embrace antique in your home, whether for the first time or in new, creative ways. What was your first antique addition to your home? Tell us in the comments below!
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Need a hand getting started? Lauren would love to help get you started.
“As the design consultant for Inessa Stewart’s, I am always eager to help clients with any design needs. Antiques are a great way to transform and personalize any room! We offer design consultations in store or at our clients’ residences to discuss the area of interest and then find what would best suit your space. An individual home consultation allows our clients to express their own style while allowing me to get a glimpse at the heart and soul of the home. For our out of state clients, over the phone consultations are available as well. I would be happy to look over any floor plans and room photos to create solutions with you. Contact me today by email at Lauren@inessa.com or toll free at 1-800-629-0905. I look forward to helping you create your dream home.”
Just about every week we have clients coming in looking for specific antique furniture solutions to their interior design problems. Antique coffee tables are one of their most frequent requests. Yesterday I happened to see this stunning pin of the day photo posted by Traditional Home Magazine on their Facebook page. In the center of the photo is a bench; just like one we have in our Dallas antique store ~ perfectly positioned as a coffee table.
