When we look for interior design ideas on the internet, we’re always reminded of one thing: Create a balance. This can be tricky when you’re not particularly adept at mixing and matching pieces, so in the end, you just find yourself more confused than learned.
But if your taste in interior design gravitates toward the more unconventional side, creating a balance shouldn’t intimidate you. Remember that balance doesn’t mean strictly sticking to one style — you can combine multiple styles together and create harmony for your home’s furnishings, too.
Mixing modern and antique decor is an example. The two styles may drastically differ from one another, but when done right, the contrasting decor will achieve a perfect balance.
Decide on a Theme
We understand that you’re excited to start decorating, but before doing it, determine first what you want to achieve; decorating without a plan may make you end up with a chaotic assemblage of decor. Consistency is still important, even with mixing different decor styles.
Decide whether you want a modern home decor with antique accents, or vice-versa. Another option is to gather all antique collections in a modern showcase item. You can also have equal amounts of both, and center it around another theme like minimalism, Zen, etc.
Item Placement Suggestions
Now that you’re ready to mix and match, you should know where to place the items you’ve bought in order to achieve harmony and balance.
In a modern- or contemporary-themed room, an antique gilt mirror will make a brilliant accent piece. If you’ve bought an antique desk, its accompanying chair can be a modern one. For an antique-themed room, on the other hand, a bold accent piece for it would be a modern painting. Installing modern light fixtures also makes a complementing contrast to an antique room.
An antique crystal chandelier will fit well into a modern dining room. You can also add a huge antique mirror to the wall to further emphasize the fusion. In a bedroom or a living room, modern lamps would look absolutely perfect placed on top of side tables, or the other way around.
Key Points to Know About Buying Antique Pieces
When choosing an antique decor, carefully examine its condition first. They might be cheaper than brand-new products, but if they’re already badly worn-out, you may end up spending more for repairs and restoration. Therefore, select only high-quality and durable pieces.
Buying antique or vintage can also be more time-consuming than buying brand-new because your options tend to be limited. For example, there is a variety of high-quality, hand-carved rustic house furniture in Santa Fe and other locations. So, if you live in this area, consider checking out what they can offer.
Bear in mind that antique pieces will always have imperfections. Old sofas may have loose springs and need reupholstery; wood furniture usually have dents, scratches, and watermarks; vases may have chips. As stated, select only high-quality pieces to minimize your expenses for repairs and restoration.
However, a unique aesthetic appeal can also be found in imperfections, as long they aren’t severe. Their muted colors and minor damages don’t always need to be covered, so examine the piece first to determine whether a repainting job is worth it or not.
When mixing antique and modern styles, don’t obsess over the rules of decorating. Instead, focus on achieving what you truly like. The only thing you need to keep in mind is to create balance, but other than that, follow your heart when choosing the items you’d like to display in your home.
