Vintage style decoration: characteristics and ideas

Let’s break down the bases and get to the roots of the concept. In decoration, the vintage style refers to the use of elements that evoke past times, generally between the 1920s and 1980s.
One of the distinctive features of this style is the incorporation of a mix of authentic pieces and reproductions that capture the essence of the past and bring it into line with current modern elements. In this way, as a whole, it is possible to create environments full of personality, character and with a certain touch of nostalgia.

Vintage style encompasses a wide range of styles, including both original pieces and modern reproductions. It is a type of style that allows greater flexibility when combining it with other decorative elements, and makes it an ideal choice for creating spaces that exude personality and a nostalgic touch without compromising modern functionality.

These are some of its most classic and iconic elements:

Antique and restored furniture: Vintage furniture pieces are usually unique, often restored to preserve their original beauty and stamp. They can include wooden tables, upholstered chairs and cabinets with handcrafted details. They are characterized by their retro design, soft colors and more common materials such as laminated wood and painted metal.
Soft and pastel colors: the vintage color palette is essentially made up of soft tones such as pink, sky blue, mint green and beige. It is a chromatic proposal that provides a feeling of warmth and comfort in spaces.
Textiles with retro patterns: floral, geometric and striped prints are common in this type of style. They are patterns that are commonly present in curtains, pillows, upholstery and bedding.
Accessories with history: antique watches, rotary telephones, floor lights, retro radios… These are just some of the very wide list of objects that can help you create and accentuate the vintage look.
Natural materials: wood, wrought iron and glass are predominant materials in vintage furniture and accessories. Its use adds authenticity and durability to the decoration.

Vintage kitchens combine functionality and retro aesthetics. We propose some suggestions so that you can impregnate the kitchen of your home with the essence of this style.
1. Go for retro appliances: opt for refrigerators, ovens and microwaves with designs from the 50s and 60s. Brands like Smeg, for example, offer a wide range of appliances that exude a vintage touch.

2. Antique furniture and storage: Use distressed wood furniture and cabinets painted in pastel colors. Open shelves in vintage tableware will also help you add a special charm to the overall perception of your home.

3. Put the magnifying glass on the decorative details: incorporate accessories such as tea cans, glass jars and antique kitchen utensils. Industrial-style pendant lamps, for example, are an excellent option to complement vintage aesthetics.

Transforming a bathroom into a vintage space may seem like a challenge, but it is easier than it seems. To do this, in the first instance, we advise you to choose toilets and bathtubs with lion’s paws, which evoke classic design. Brass or copper faucets are also a success.

In parallel, it incorporates subway tiles and mosaic floors, ideal for capturing the vintage essence. Black and white patterns are also especially popular.

Finally, make an appropriate choice of accessories. They will be key to enhancing the vintage effect that you want to give to the bathroom in your home. Mirrors with ornamental frames, porcelain soap dishes and embroidered towels are essential details.

Living rooms are the heart of any home and an ideal setting to showcase the essence of vintage decoration. To achieve a true vintage room, it is vital to take care of every detail. Velvet sofas with cut wooden legs, solid wood coffee tables and leather armchairs with elaborate details will be great allies to define this space.Chandeliers and floor lights with fabric shades, for example, bring a nostalgic feel to the environment, while classically designed wall sconces offer soft, cozy lighting.

Accessories also play a key role. Antique wall clocks, paintings with gold frames, oriental rugs, old books and decorative objects such as wooden boxes and ceramic figures are a safe bet for adding a layer of sophistication and giving the space character and a unique stamp.

Heavy fabric curtains – such as brocade or damask – will add warmth and are an effective resource for framing windows with a touch of antique elegance.

In essence, the combination of vintage furniture and accessories with contemporary and current elements can result in a harmonious space that reflects aesthetic sensitivity.

The bedroom is an intimate space in which vintage style can create a cozy atmosphere full of character. And a wrought iron bed or one with a headboard upholstered in soft colored fabrics is a good starting point to achieve that style.

Vintage nightstands and chests of drawers with cut wood drawers and porcelain handles are elements that cannot be missing. You can also incorporate such classic elements of the vintage imagination as hand-painted furniture with artisanal details or a dressing table with an oval mirror. As a whole, they will provide elegance, functionality and a personal and unique touch to your home.

Getting more specific in the vintage design scheme, elements like antique night lights with fabric shades, retro photo frames, and free-standing mirrors with ornate frames are options that will bring a look to the past in your bedroom. Light fabric curtains with delicate prints will add a touch of romance and natural light to the space.

And talking about vintage style means talking about a look at the past that is unique but also flexible. It is a decorative option that you can also incorporate in the rooms of the little ones in the house. You can bet on giving a breath of vintage air to a children’s room, and create a cozy and personalized environment that reflects the individual preferences and personal history of its users.

It is common to confuse the terms “antique” and “vintage” when we talk about decoration. But these two concepts have different meanings and implications that are important to understand to take advantage of and make the most of each style.

Antique: refers to objects that are more than 100 years old. They tend to have significant historical and artistic value, and are often unique, very rare and collectible pieces, and have significant historical and monetary value.

Vintage: this is a concept that applies to objects between 20 and 100 years old. They are garments that evoke styles and trends from past decades, but are not so old as to be considered antiques.

The mix of vintage style with modern decoration results in the creation of unique spaces that combine the elegance of the past with contemporary functionality. And, so that you can achieve it in your home, we suggest that you follow our advice step by step:

Use a standout vintage piece as the focal point of the room, such as an antique dining table, retro sofa, or classic chandelier. You can complement this centerpiece with simpler modern elements that do not compete for attention and highlight its beauty.

Combine textures and materials to add visual depth. For example, you could place a vintage leather armchair next to a modern glass side table, or an antique wool rug under a minimalist metal coffee table. These contrasts enrich the space and create a feeling of sophistication.

Neutral tones such as white, gray and beige can serve as a base to combine vintage and modern pieces. Add pops of brighter colors with accessories such as pillows, curtains or paintings to liven up the space without making it look cluttered.

Dare to mix vintage style with different interior design styles. A modern dining table can be perfectly combined with vintage chairs, or a contemporary bed can be complemented with vintage nightstands. Accessories, such as mirrors with antique frames or retro clocks, can add a touch of nostalgia and history to a modern setting.

Lighting plays a key role in creating atmospheres. Opt for vintage ceiling lights combined with modern floor lights. Antique chandeliers can add a sophisticated feel, while lights with clean, minimalist lines help maintain balance between styles.

In summary, at Coblonal we believe that the key to optimal decoration lies in the balance between functionality and aesthetics. And, precisely, vintage decoration is a timeless trend that can transform your home into a space in which each object has a story to tell. Thanks to its flexibility of implementation, whether in the kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom, the vintage style allows you to create unique environments full of character that bring the present in line with the past.

Contact us and we will propose the design that best suits you, providing you with ideas and solutions to transform your home into an authentic space with character. Follow us on our social networks for more ideas and inspiration!