If you’re a new homeowner, you will have many empty spaces in your new property. This is an opportunity for you to make a mark. But don’t limit yourself to modern and new items when decorating. You can find antique décor in various places. They range from gilt mirrors to reclaimed antique fireplace mantels.
It can be challenging to mix up the two. If you’re not careful, the result would be a chaotic mishmash. Here are some tips to remember so that you can decorate your home with your antique finds:
Aim for a Theme
The easiest way to use antique décor in your home is to reserve a room for a particular theme. If you have many pieces that are all from the same time or era, this would be a good choice. For example, if you have pieces from the Regency, then you can use them as the base of your room theme. Don’t be too strict, though. If a piece looks good with the theme, then consider mixing it up with the others. Small discrepancies will give the room a livelier feel.
Mixing styles is a great way to give your room more character. But, you shouldn’t go overboard. Try to decide what you think is good for the mix. The most important thing is to have the room reflect your taste and personality. If you love a particular piece or it has sentimental value, don’t hesitate to use it.
Choose Items with Timeless Appeal
There are pieces that you don’t need to worry about, though. A classic painting will look good no matter what surrounds it, though it would be better if you make it the focal point of your room. Photos are also a good choice for mixing with modern pieces, especially if they are members of your family. Put them in new frames to highlight the contrast.
Positioning is Important
When it comes to highlighting the antique, you need to know how to position it right. Like the above example of photos and paintings, they need to have a prominent position in a room. Depending on the size of the object, you may need to put it in the right place so it is still highlighted.
You can also choose not to make it the center of the room. This works best for items such as desks, shelves, and tables. These are good at being inconspicuous and work at accenting the theme of the room. Placing it on a bookshelf alongside your books is another way to use antique décor without making it a centerpiece.
Focus on Your Taste
Don’t forget that you are decorating your home. You’ll want the pieces to reflect your interests and personality. The key is to not hurry the decoration process. Start with a base set of decorations and work from there. You might stumble on something that will best fit the décor of the room. Focus on what pleases you so that the place would be an accurate reflection of your personal taste.
Antique décor provides a great contrast to the new pieces that you place around your home. They also give room for a retro look that many people appreciate. With the tips above, you should be able to combine older decorative items with modern ones so that they don’t look out of place or trashy.