If you’re after a home that looks timeless but also feels fresh…
Mixing modern and vintage interior design elements is one of the hottest approaches going. Today’s homeowners want spaces that are personal to them. Rooms that have texture, layers and lots of character.
One of the easiest ways to do this?
Blend old with new, from flooring to furniture and decor accents.
But…
There’s a fine line between seamlessly blending modern and vintage styles and decorating your home like an eclectic disaster zone.
Done well, any homeowner can beautifully marry together old and new elements in the home. Sustainable reclaimed flooring is one of the best places to start.
Here’s what you’ll learn…
- Why Mixing Modern and Vintage Works So Well
- Why Start With Sustainable Reclaimed Flooring
- 5x Ways To Mix Old and New In Your Home
- Mistakes To Avoid When Mixing Old and New
Let’s dig in.
Why Mixing Modern and Vintage Works So Well
Like attracts like.
Partner clean, contemporary lines with distressed, worn textures and you’ve got a winning combo. Contrast is what makes mixing modern and vintage fixtures and furnishings work so well.
Style-wise. The juxtaposition of old and new adds visual interest, creates stories and history in your home. Nothing builds character quite like reclaimed floorboards, antique windows and weathered timber beams.
It’s also the best way to embrace a nature-centric home.
According to Fixr.com’s research, 60% of interior designers agree that bringing the outdoors indoors is the biggest trend in interior design right now.
In short: consumers want natural elements in their homes.
Thankfully, reclaimed fits perfectly into this trend. From furniture to flooring. Made up of natural weathered materials, sustainable reclaimed timber instantly adds warmth and authenticity to any room.
Win. Win.
You get a home that looks amazing but is also helping you embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. At the same time.
Even better? Vintage pieces and reclaimed materials can often be budget-friendly. So you don’t have to spend a million dollars to achieve this look.
Start With Sustainable Reclaimed Flooring
You lay the groundwork for every room with the floors you choose.
Believe it or not, flooring is where most homeowners should start when looking to blend old and new styles.
That’s why sustainable reclaimed flooring should be step numero uno for anyone looking to mix things up.
Unlike new floors, sustainable reclaimed timber adds texture, grain and plenty of personality to any space. The patina you get from salvaged wood is second to none when it comes to building character in a room.
Consider laying reclaimed wood flooring as your starting point. Using original pine floorboards as the base of your design scheme is a sure-fire way to inject personality into your home.
Think of old pine floorboards that have been salvaged from long-abandoned farms or estates. Every plank comes with decades of story and personality. And when paired with modern furniture and bare walls, you’re instantly going to love the contrast.
Here’s why reclaimed timber works so well underfoot:
Unlike manufactured boards or bricks, reclaimed timber is loaded with natural character. Knots. Colour variations. Imperfect grains.
When you lay reclaimed flooring, those “imperfections” become the main feature of your room. Especially when you start contrasting it with more modern fixtures like metal accents and simplistic furniture.
Oh, and it also helps the planet.
The reclaimed lumber market size report expects the global market to exceed $57 billion. Which is HUGE. This growth shows that homeowners and designers around the world are starting to use reclaimed wood over newly sourced timber.
Score.
5x Ways To Blend Old and New In Your Home
Alright! Let’s get into the nitty gritty of things.
Below are five methods designers use when helping clients beautifully blend modern and vintage elements.
Anchor the Room With One Vintage Focal Point
Flow throughout your home is important.
If you decide to go hard on the vintage farmhouse sink in the kitchen, tone it back elsewhere with modern skylights and stainless steel benches.
Same thing with rooms inside your house.
Allow one vintage piece to anchor a room. That’s it.
Whether it’s a rustic reclaimed wood dining table or an oversized vintage sideboard, pick one standout piece and work your room around it.
Use Contrasting Textures and Materials
This is where things get fun.
Once you’ve layered your modern floors with vintage furniture, start contrasting your textures and materials.
Look to pair reclaimed timber floors with concrete countertops. Or hanging vintage brass light fixtures above a modern marble kitchen island.
Texture ≠ Fabric.
Contrast is key. Pair rough with smooth. Warm with cool. Dark with light. Old with new.
Mixing different textures and materials is what will make your home feel like a curated space rather than a mismatched one.
Neutral Colours Tie Everything Together
Colour schemes are your friends.
Whites, greys, warm beige hues and earthy colours are perfect for bridging the gap between modern and vintage style.
While you can always go wild with colour, bold paint colours are best used sparingly.
Think adding a splash of colour to a vintage armchair.
Mix Vintage Accessories With Modern Furniture
This tip is gold if you’re just starting out blending old and new.
Keep your larger furniture pieces modern. Chairs, couches, beds and dining tables all fall into this category.
From there, you can layer in vintage accessories to add charm. Like:
- Vintage framed pictures
- Reclaimed wood crates used as shelves
- Vintage rugs on top of sustainable reclaimed flooring
- Old books and pottery on modern shelving units
Small touches like these instantly warm up a room without making it feel cluttered.
Don’t Forget Lighting
Speaking of lighting…
Pay close attention to the light fixtures you select when decorating your space.
A vintage pendant light in a modern kitchen can work wonders.
The key is to mix vintage and new lighting fixtures throughout the home. So you don’t go overboard on one particular style.
Common Decorating Mistakes To Avoid
Mixing modern and vintage isn’t always easy.
As soon as you think you’ve mastered the art of blending old and new, you’ll find yourself making one of these rookie decorating mistakes.
Throwing too much of one style into your home.
Tip: your home shouldn’t be 80% modern with a vintage lamp in the corner. That’s not mixing styles. Aim for rooms that have a good balance. Maybe 60/40 or 70/30 in favour of modern or vintage designs.
Buying furniture that’s too big (or too small) for the space.
Remember how flow is important?
If you stuff an oversized antique wardrobe into a small modern bedroom it won’t look right. Everything you buy should be in scale with the room you plan on putting it in.
Blocking natural flow between rooms.
This tip kind of ties into the last point.
If you decide to go heavy on the modern look in your kitchen. Ease up on the style in your living room. Rooms flow into one another.
Try to match flooring through the home with sustainable reclaimed timber so each room blends seamlessly.
Focusing too much on style over comfort.
That cool vintage chair may look awesome in your bedroom. But if it’s uncomfortable to sit in, why bother?
When in doubt, always choose comfort over style. Let function be your guide.
Bringing Your Modern Vintage Home To Life
There you have it.
Mixing modern and vintage design elements is one of the best (and most satisfying) ways to decorate your home.
As mentioned earlier, every inch of your home doesn’t have to be 50/50 modern vs vintage. In fact, your flooring should probably be 100% sustainable reclaimed wood…
Start with your floors and work upward. Trust your gut when hunting for vintage furniture to complement your space.
And most importantly; allow yourself to make mistakes!
At the end of the day you’re going to create something truly unique. So have fun with it.
Remember: The imperfections are what make your home special.