How to Combine Vintage and Modern Home Decor in 2023
How to Combine Vintage and Modern Pieces For a Balanced Home
If you look at a professionally designed room — you know, the type of room that makes the cover of a magazine or goes viral on TikTok — you'll notice a mix of modern and vintage items. It's this blend of old and new that makes a space feel comfortable, familiar, and fresh at the same time; that's why professional decorators typically add a bit of both.
If you're lucky enough to have some old furniture or antique decor on hand, you can add contemporary textures, colors, and silhouettes to create a room that reflects the beauty of past and present. Ahead, we've gathered some ideas for mixing items from different eras, plus a few must-have pieces to help you find the right balance.
Sophie Sofa Chaise
Why is shopping for a sofa so difficult in the age of social media? Because sofa shapes and colors keep shifting with the algorithm, and if you buy into the look of the moment, you can bet that you'll be tired of the sofa when the trend runs its course. If you want a sofa that will withstand trends yet always seem current, this Sophie Sofa Chaise ($2,150) is the one. The light gray sectional is upholstered in pale gray velvet — a fabric that always looks right among vintage items — and balances a structured frame with plush cushions you can sink into. Dress it up with pillows and a throw to stay on trend, then swap those out when you see fit.
Wallace May "Pool Book/Pit Bull" print
Having unique art is a way to showcase your personality, and one way to make an antique-filled room feel more contemporary. Los Angeles artist Wallace May imbues her paintings with a sense of nostalgia, creating scenes that feel like a long-lost memory brought back to life. If you're looking to balance vintage and modern styles in a room, consider framing her Pool Book/Pit Bull" print ($60) in an ornate, gilded frame for contrast.
French Gilt Mirror
Dating back to the 19th century, this antique French Gilt Mirror ($629) has developed a beautiful patina. It's truly a one-of-a-kind piece imbued with history and elegance, and it will ship directly from France. (Fancy!) While you can lean into its antique heritage with traditional tones, the gilded wood takes on a very different vibe when placed among modern patterns and bold, intense hues.
Johnelle Extendable Dining Table
This Johnelle Extendable Dining Table ($980) could easily be mistaken for a prized vintage flea-market find. But here's the twist: the table extends with an extra leaf, so you can entertain a large group of friends and family.
Fredericks & Mae Taper Candleholder Wall Sconce
Candlelight may be the most elegant way to light a room, and this Fredericks & Mae Taper Candleholder Wall Sconce ($135) does it with simplicity and style. Its five arms support taper candles (we like them in bold colors, as pictured) but are also pretty when adorned with battery-powered candles.
Barkham Rug
A classic medallion rug is eternally stylish, but if you don't have months to scour every flea market from here to Kalamazoo in search of the right one, make it easy on yourself with this Barkham Rug ($190). Its antiqued look and muted hues nail the vintage vibe, and the low-maintenance polyester pile makes it ideal for homes with kids or pets.
Como Double Toggle Switch Plate
Little details can make a room feel intentionally and thoughtfully designed. This neoclassical Como Double Toggle Switch Plate ($28) replicates a pattern from 1905 and dresses up what would ordinarily be just a light switch that nobody notices.
Mitzi Demi 1 Light Floor Lamp
The shade of this brass-finish Mitzi Demi 1 Light Floor Lamp ($486) lets a hint of metal flash through its perforated pleats. It's a smooth mix of contemporary details and a traditional silhouette, and if brass is too vintage-y for you, good news: It's available in black, too.
Rey Chair
Originally designed in 1971, Swiss designer Bruno Rey's Rey Chair ($595) is a furniture chameleon. It looks good among modernist designs, but its curved back makes it fit in beautifully among antique decor as well.
