It’s hard to think of anything better than life in a cozy house done in the style of vintage interior design, am I right? Many contemporary interior projects lack the much-needed warmth and comfort of vintage interior design style. Even though there are many differences in opinion about what is vintage interior design, a lot of people crave that irreplaceable warmth that we can only achieve using tips from this particular style.
Vintage, as its name says, design has its roots in the history of residential homes, which can deter people who doubt this style. Still, contemporary designers have found many ways to mix contemporary furniture and vintage feel in a way that feels chic, fresh, and elegant. If incorporated correctly, vintage style in interior design can help create a timeless atmosphere in space and evoke emotions of nostalgia which we all crave deep in our hearts.
So let’s see together what can be considered vintage and learn a few vintage interior design ideas to create that creative spark for the next remodeling!
Characteristics of Vintage Interior Design
You may have heard retro design mentioned with the same meaning as vintage design. Those definitions are as far from truth as possible. The difference between these two is the easiest to explain using time references. Vintage interior design is considered “vintage” from as early as 100 years ago till 20 years ago.
Vintage interiors design styles use authentic old elements, whether artifacts, accessories, or furniture, and incorporate them into your home. The goal is to have a space that feels like it time traveled to the present day.
Retro interior design does not strive so much for authenticity or a specific theme from history, but to achieve an eclectic and eccentric feel in the interior. In the process, it is allowed to use elements that date earlier than 100 years in terms of aesthetics. The authenticity of these pieces does not have to be strict since you can use elements that only borrow the look from history but are made in the present day.
Colors
The vintage design uses soft pastel and neutral color schemes since the vibe the interior gives off should be soft and nostalgic. The most popular colors used are neutral shades like white, cream, and beige, and if you are looking for a more colorful palette, there are pale blue, gray, pink, lilac, and mauve. Of course, accent colors are also allowed to create primary focal points in the space. Accents like these have a profound impact on space by creating depth and texture, thus giving space contrast so the room doesn’t feel dull.
Furniture
Statement furniture from the bygone era is the way to go, plain and simple. While modern furniture consists of hard edges, rough lines, and geometry, vintage furniture until the 60s and 70s (depending on the theme) consisted of round edges perfect for this style.
Wooden, aged materials with rugged corners with evidence of prolonged use are the most popular choice for vintage apartment interior design. Ornaments on the furniture are desired since they give a decorative and artistic touch to the room.
Decorative elements
Speaking of decorative touch, these elements are the main visual key that differentiates vintage from modern furniture. Minimalistic furniture deprived of ornamentation indeed became a trend after WW2, but ordinary homes have kept decor for a long time. Antique items and family heirlooms have stayed through all interior style changes in the 20th-century homes, passing from older to younger generations until younger “internet“ generations came and hid them away from contemporary design apartments.
Dig those pieces up from the storage and proudly display them in the room! Family memory photos from happy moments in life can be displayed as decoration and old furniture are all very wanted, and required for your vintage interior design to be authentic. Old furniture and accessories such as silverware, decorative items, ceramic vases, candlesticks, old books, paintings, and antique clocks have a lot of stories to tell, so all of these elements should decorate your space and tell stories about you and your ancestors.
Textures and patterns
Do not be afraid of patterns and their combinations. A clever mix of textures and patterns can elevate the room’s color scheme without looking like a clutter. Distinctive patterns like floral, paisley, and motifs in different fabrics used in upholstery and curtains make the room feel more natural despite the contemporary philosophy that every unnecessary pattern clutters vision and creates stress.
If you have problems creating these combinations with wallpapers and carpets, contact our professional designers who will help you conceive a clear vision of your personal space and make it as creative and authentic as possible. You can also see examples of these pattern mixes in vintage bedroom designs projects for inspiration.
Lighting
Lighting, her majesty, is the most essential element of all the types and styles of interior design. Even though natural warm lighting from sunlight is a perfect type for a vintage interior, you can also use artificial lighting to create a similar effect. Elegant ornamental chandeliers are the most recognized pieces in every vintage interior. You can also use hanging lamps and table lamps with shades made from patterned materials to create a mood in the room at your will and taste.
These elements have always been statement pieces of luxury throughout history, so purchasing them is always a clever purchase. Do not be afraid to give a little bit more money for them, considering their importance in the interior.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Vintage Interior Design
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of vintage design. Even though vintage interior design is visually the most fascinating style you can go for, some problems can arise in remodeling your home in this style.
The advantages of vintage interior design are classic and timeless appearance that is integrated into our hearts and memories. Home becomes a three-dimensional family album with heirlooms and photos displayed, and every piece of furniture tells the story. Considering the gradual degradation of quality in modern items, vintage furniture and accessories have been built as robust and durable as possible in those eras.
The fact that they can be used decades after manufacturing speaks volumes about their quality and perfection. When you reintroduce vintage items, you are directly influencing
reducing your carbon footprint by avoiding manufacturing new items.
But let’s be honest, there are some cons in modelling home in vintage interior design style. Prices of vintage furniture and accessories are considerably higher than their contemporary counterparts. Creating vintage composition in the interior is a very delicate business. There is a very thin line between making an elegant vintage interior home that works even in the present time and on the other part of the spectrum, a hoarder clutter and messes with too many accessories.
There is also a grey zone of pros and cons and that is vintage furniture needing repair and restoration from time to time. This can be a dull chore but then again, you are still saving cash and prolonging the life of the said item.
Inspirational ideas on how to achieve vintage look in your home
So you have learned about Vintage interior design and want to renovate your home in a similar style? Here we’ll see examples from a portfolio of the Singapore-based design studio Space Factor.
We hope you will find vintage interior design ideas that will help you get your creative engine running and new ideas born! Let’s check them out together:
WHITE CLASSIC @ PUNGGOL CENTRAL
This is a perfect example of classic vintage interior design. The living room features a neutral palette composed of cream and off-white colors with a couple of pastel blue accents to spice up the room.
A cottage-style construction envelops the wall with a TV. To round it all off there is a comfortable sofa with pastel accents, making the overall atmosphere cozy and relaxing.
We continue to the dining area with the same vibe with white wooden chairs, a table with rounded edges, and a bench stool in the same style of vintage patio chairs and benches.
The color palette follows the same principle of the living room with neutral white color and accent pastels in the shape of a flower bouquet.
When we talk about vintage interior design bedroom, we all imagine this one for sure. Comfort and coziness are the main words that come into our minds when we see this picture.
Victorian-era style floral wallpaper on the accent wall and the floral bedspread complement each other just perfectly. The whole vintage ambient is enhanced by antique furnishings in the shape of curved bedside tables.
MODERN COUNTRY @ BUTTERWORTH
This particular interior design by Space Factor is a perfect blend of vintage design with elements of contemporary design. A console that encompasses a TV has a sliding barn door implemented that gives a vintage aesthetic to an otherwise contemporary home.
The color palette is primarily neutral with cream and beige color dominating. Accents come in the form of blue barn doors enhancing and giving character to the overall color spectrum of the interior.
The kitchen interior design offers vintage metal working stools as bar chairs and distinctive lamps with metal shades and Edison bulbs through which the filament is clearly visible and which take you back in time with a warm subdued glow.
Although the cabinets are constructed in a contemporary manner, the golden metal door knobs on them and the wood board used to give off that vintage effect in the kitchen space.
RUSTIC COTTON CANDY @ WATERFRONT WAVE
Another great example of vintage home interior design comes in the shape of a beautiful interior design portfolio project by Space Factor. This interior gives off a 50s vibe that creates nostalgia through its vintage furniture, wallpaper, and all of the other accessories.
The bedroom interior design includes all the necessary elements that a luxurious vintage interior needs to have. The walls are adorned with an intricately designed neutral-colored wallpaper with motifs and ornaments all over.
The base color of all walls is off-white. Doors and their frames are typical doors that you would find in an early 20th-century luxury home. Dark walnut hardwood flooring creates a contrast with the rest of the neutral color palette and breaks the monotony of white shades.
Of course, the furniture of the bedroom is all vintage including the bed, side tables, and the chest with drawers. All of the authentic accessories that you can see in the pictures of the bedroom were inspired and refurbished from their respective era.
From the bedroom, we can see a walk-in closet that follows vintage vibe aesthetics. In the luxurious homes of the early 20th century same style of walk-in closets was very popular in luxury homes.
We continue to a small study room that is also a fantastic example of the vintage interior. The color scheme of the room is depicted by the use of a white and pastel accent green color palette.
The study table and chair have oakwood wooden legs with a slightly brighter color than oakwood flooring. The other accessories such as books are displayed on the shelves and with the help of an antique wall clock rounds off the perfect vintage look in this house.
I am sure that from the ideas that we presented here, you can draw inspiration on how to introduce the vintage interior style into your home. As mentioned before vintage homes have a very comforting, relaxing, and luxurious feel if done right.
Even though vintage interior design is quite the opposite of contemporary interior design, you can always try to experiment with mixing and matching elements from both these design styles to create an aesthetic that is unique to you and your family. If you are looking for help to create and implement the desired style in your home, you can always contact Space Factor. Our designers will happily help you in your quest for that vintage look.
Conclusion
Achieving the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality is the hallmark of exceptional design. Whether you’re focusing on Singapore’s condo interior design for efficient living or want to revamp your HDB interior design, our team is equipped to help. If you’re working with a cozy 3-room HDB design, we can help you maximize every inch for a comfortable and efficient layout. For a 4-room HDB, we focus on optimizing space while adding style that suits your lifestyle. And if you have a spacious 5-room HDB, we’ll work with you to create a versatile design that’s both beautiful and functional.
