4 Ways to Blend Vintage With Modern

Blending vintage pieces into modern decor is trending, as it gives homeowners the best of both worlds: the comfort and style of modern, along with the unique patina of vintage. Vintage pieces often come with a backstory, around where the piece was sourced, or what the historical significance is, adding a sentimental angle.  

Bringing old and new together in the same aesthetic addresses what homeowners value most from their design right now. Importantly, they crave emotional connections with their living spaces, and vintage pieces are a conduit for that experience. Also, combining traditional with contemporary is central to the transitional aesthetic, which is currently leading home design trends. Meanwhile, multi-generational households are on the rise, and incorporating family heirlooms into a modern home lets everyone showcase what matters to them.  

There is also the sustainable aspect of breathing new life into vintage pieces. “Incorporating vintage furniture has the benefits of conserving natural resources and minimizing the environmental impacts of production,” all while keeping items out of landfills, says WELL and LEED accredited interior designer Sarah Barnard.  

Like all curated aesthetics, strategy is important. The goal is to make the design choices look intentional and harmonious, as opposed to a flea market display table. 

Here is how to blend vintage with modern.

1. Find Common Ground 

When blending older pieces into a new home, start by finding a common link between pieces.    

“Focusing on a specific color palette, period, or material (like wood or metal) can help integrate vintage items with modern pieces,” says Barnard  

“Vintage items should be incorporated with aesthetic connections in mind. Is it color, texture, form, or line that is a linking element between the items? A well-composed space can make a collection of objects from various periods feel beautiful and intentional,” she says.  

It can be helpful to start with a neutral color palette and build the look gradually. Consider bringing in a single piece, such as a chair or coffee table, from a historical period, and then let the look evolve naturally. 

2. Look for Good Bones 

Seek high-quality furniture that can be reimagined with modern style. 

“Consider reupholstering a vintage armchair with a contemporary textile, painting a vintage table or dresser in a contemporary palette, or installing artisan hardware to create a one-of-a-kind piece,” says Barnard. 

If you are keen on keeping a vintage piece in its original condition, some pieces are more functional than others for modern living, says designer Andrea Sinkin of Andrea Sinkin Design 

“To add vintage pieces without refinishing them, look for end tables or accent tables. Glides on vintage chests can be cumbersome. They are not a good choice for a daily use dresser in a bedroom, but for hall and family room storage they are great.” 

3. Focus on Accents 

One approach is to keep the bulk of your aesthetic contemporary and integrate vintage through accents and artwork. 

Vintage rugs and lamps are a subtle way to add historical drama to your decor. Make sure any old light fixtures have been inspected by a professional and are working up to the current code for safety reasons. 

Tabletop decor, such as vases, planters and period-influenced sculpture work well. 

Vintage dishware makes lovely decor, displayed on a wall, or on open shelving. 

4. Vintage Artwork 

Furnish the space in contemporary style and adorn the walls with vintage artwork.  

Using old family photos adds meaningful decor for multi-generational households. “Do a family gallery of vintage pictures, but stay away from Sepia, so they don’t look antique. Choose instead black and white or tonal color,” says Sinkin.  

Look for vintage paintings for an old-world feel, or make modern artwork feel vintage by sourcing antique frames, such as heavy wood or gilded styles. 

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Hero image courtesy of Lo Austin Photo for Andrea Sinkin Design