When people envision their dream homes, they think of modern-style houses that speak of wealth, luxury, and outlandish ornamentation. But this isn’t the case for those who want a house something out of a vintage movie—a fictional suburban home with arched doorways, vintage doors, and stained glass. Some homeowners are willing to go far by hiring cast stone suppliers to give their homes a classic and sophisticated touch.
If you’re someone who loves everything antique, we won’t blame you if you want to make your home look vintage. Most modern houses today are filled with neutral colors, straight lines, and other aspects that scream NEW. So if you’re moving to a new house and you’re moving your vintage decor and furniture pieces, everything will certainly look strange.
Interior design isn’t just about making a home look new and trendy. Giving your modern home a vintage accent is possible without the wait and cost. So if you’re a homeowner who appreciates the feel and look of a bygone era, here are some budget-friendly ways to make your modern home look vintage!
Mix traditional and modern decors
Modern style is known for its crisp, clean, and colorful lines. Simple colors make up the color palette and the design should be sleek, minimal in clutter, and other practical elements. Common materials for the kitchen are metal, glass, and steel.
On the other hand, traditional style boasts of its rich and vintage vibe, highlighted by rich colors, textures, layering, curved lines, and dark wood. Textures and materials include silk, velvet, and finished wood.
To prevent a design disaster, pick one style that will serve as the dominant style of your house. This means the dominant style should be present in major furnishings while minor accent pieces will emphasize the secondary style. A great tip is to pick similar looks and pieces from both styles to form a harmonious and cohesive look. For example, choose similar textures, shapes, and colors from both traditional and modern styles to integrate the interior.
Another alternative is to redesign traditional furniture by painting it with modern white or reupholster a traditional chair by replacing the old fabric with a modern one to combine the two styles seamlessly. This will create a classic design that merges two different styles.
Make it heavy on wood accents
Wooden accents are the easiest way to turn your vintage dream into reality. From wooden floors, wall cladding, ceiling beams, and light fittings, a rustic, vintage interior is never complete without several doses of old, natural wood.
Wooden flooring is a common feature in vintage homes, but if it’s too expensive, you can settle with styling wood for furniture and home accessories. This is a great way to add character and achieve that rustic look without going beyond the budget. But make sure the wood colors are untreated and light to maintain their natural character (e.g., driftwood).
For the wood beams, choose faux ceiling beams rather than solid wood since they’re lighter and easy to install. If you have plain, white walls, enhance them with wood paneling. Shiplap is a classic way to make a room look vintage. It’s easy to install, and they’re available at any lumberyard or home store. Make sure to stain or paint the wood before installation to give the room a rustic feel, especially when combined with wrought iron items and rustic furniture.
For those with builder-grade doors, replace them with panel doors. Most homes today have hollow-core doors since they’re lighter and cheaper than solid-wood doors. To give your home a traditional look, change all the plain doors with solid-wood panel doors. Although they’re more expensive, panel doors are more durable and provide better soundproofing.
Use natural materials
If you want to achieve a vintage-style home, ditch everything that speaks modern and trendy. The rustic trend focuses on keeping things natural, so it should reflect in the furniture and accessories as possible.
Raw natural fibers, such as hessian and jute are perfect combinations for vintage homes because of their earth tones. These fabrics are perfect for cushions, pouffes, and rugs to soften the vibe while evoking a rustic feel.
If you have existing vintage tiles, original wooden floors, and raw brick walls, consider yourself lucky. These materials make great rustic elements that are rich in vintage character. If you don’t have any, use salvaged and reclaimed materials.
A vintage-looking home allows you to appreciate its historical character and charm. The challenge arises when integrating history with the look and feel of the present. With our suggestions above, mixing modern with traditional touches is possible by creating a personalized transitional style. Keep all these things in mind to successfully implement these elements and maximize your home’s soul points.
