Something old, something new: How to style antique and contemporary furniture together

Combining both vintage and contemporary furniture may seem like a challenging task, however, when done correctly it can give your space a great sense of character with multiple layers and textures. Adding both vintage and contemporary furniture or homewares to your space means your room cannot be defined by any one decade and showcases a more “lived-in” home that hasn’t been chosen straight from a catalogue.

Here are our top tips for styling antiques with contemporary furniture

Tip #1: Vintage artwork with a new sofa

An easy place to start is combining extravagant artwork with a brand-new sofa. Find a piece of artwork online or at an auction that you would relish in your living room, a landscape painting is the perfect place to start. When pairing this with a sofa, find a sofa that is contemporary in style, sharp lines, minimalist and structured, something that compliments the artwork rather than take away from it.

image: Mansion Global

Tip #2: Choosing the correct colour scheme

A lot of vintage and antique pieces are crafted from rich-toned wood, brass, leather, iron or wicker, so it is important when choosing a colour scheme for your room that you keep your walls and furniture a softer colour to create balance. Remember, choosing colours can be the make-or-break when pairing your antique heirlooms with your contemporary furniture.

Image: Modsy

Tip #3: Statement and accent pieces

Choosing one or two large statement pieces per room is enough. Opting for a trunk rather than a coffee table, a large gold-toned vintage mirror over a fireplace or even a hand-knotted Persian rug is a great way to incorporate old with new. When choosing accent pieces, consider an antique vase, bowl, or lamp. Accent pieces will give your space character.

Image: Pinterest