Discover the Beauty of Vintage-Style Living Inspired by the Past
Creating a cozy home in the vintage style involves incorporating furniture, decorations, and color palettes that were popular decades ago. This design varies significantly depending on the chosen era, evoking a sense of nostalgia and old-fashioned charm reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s.
In this article, you will read about:
- Characteristics and Features of Vintage Style
- Accessories in Vintage Style
- Living Room in Vintage Style
- Bedroom in Vintage Style
- Kitchen in Vintage Style
- Bathroom in Vintage Style
- Difference Between Vintage and Retro Style
1. Characteristics and Features of Vintage Style
Vintage style is essentially about personal selection from specific periods that resonate with you most. Some may adore the eccentricities of the 1950s, while others might prefer the minimalism of the 1990s or the bold patterns of the 1970s.
Vintage style in interior design is hard to define because everyone’s perspective on it is unique. Generally, this style utilizes repurposed furniture, timeless design, and classic color palettes to give a home a look and feel that predates and often surpasses current trends.
Living room designed in vintage style. Source: DUBLEZ
The vintage style is characterized by the use of natural materials, such as wood. The most preferred choices are lacquered and distressed wood or natural fabrics, like linen, wool, and cotton. Old or artificially aged furniture, usually made of wood and upholstered materials, adds a charming, old-fashioned yet elegant touch. Beautiful, flowing lines paired with a subtle color palette define its softness and femininity.
All the elements of vintage design collectively create an aura of elegance, grace, and a magical sense of nostalgia.
Let’s explore some key elements of vintage interior design that will help you style your home in this captivating way:
- Wooden-Look Flooring – Wide wooden floors are ideal for homes in the vintage style. Wider planks showcase detailed wood grain patterns and carry more imperfections. These "flaws" add rustic charm and make the space unique. A wide range of vintage-style flooring options is available, including wood-look tiles, combining the charm and details of old wooden floors with the benefits of modern flooring for a rustic yet livable appearance. Worn-out surfaces found in repurposed furniture or salvaged floors, saw marks, notches, or other irregularities, give the floor an aged look, which is the essence of vintage style.
- Pastel Color Palette – The vintage color palette is very soft and feminine. Neutral shades like white, cream, and beige are often layered with gentle grays and pale pastels. Examples include light blue, soft pink, and lavender. You can complement a simple color scheme with a wallpapered accent wall featuring floral patterns to add more vintage flair to the room.
- Floral Patterns – Floral patterns are a must-have for creating a vintage look. This could include upholstery, bedding covers for pillows, and even fabrics with faded floral designs in soft, pale pastel tones. Consider mixing floral patterns with other plant motifs or even with birds and butterflies.
- Glass Chandelier – To give your vintage-style space a touch of elegance and femininity, an extravagant glass chandelier is the perfect choice. It adds a luxurious charm that can elevate even the simplest rooms. Feel free to make it the centerpiece of your overall interior design.
- Textiles – Long, elegant vintage curtains, delicate lace doilies on nightstands and dressers, furniture with floral upholstery, decorative pillows and throws, as well as bed linens made from historical fabrics, are essential pieces for your vintage home. Additional accessories might include rugs crafted from natural materials and featuring soft, neutral tones.
Luxury living room with vintage design. Source: DUBLEZ
2. Accessories in Vintage Style
Wooden decorations, such as antique or hand-carved panels, add character and warmth to any space. Choosing the right wall art is key to capturing the vintage atmosphere, with each piece reflecting personal style and taste. Antique or retro clocks are not only practical but also aesthetic accessories that seamlessly combine functionality with vintage elegance.
Wooden wall decorations from DUBLEZ styled for vintage interiors:
Beautiful wooden wall clocks from DUBLEZ:
All DUBLEZ wooden decorations in vintage style can be viewed here: Home Decorations and Wall Art in Vintage Style.
3. Living Room in Vintage Style
The starting point for decorating rooms in a vintage style is purchasing a piece of pre-loved furniture. This could be a rustic wooden coffee table with metal wheels or even a galvanized trunk.
Visit antique fairs or auctions where you can find a wide variety of historical antiques that might suit your living room.
Modern living room with vintage design elements. Source: DUBLEZ
Avoid incorporating too many modern elements, especially furniture, which can be distracting. If you are committed to styling your home in vintage decor, you should adhere to this theme; otherwise, the design might appear chaotic and uncoordinated.
The beauty of a vintage living room lies in the ability to mix various older styles that still work harmoniously. This could include mid-20th-century armchairs or a classic Victorian chest of drawers. You can essentially combine anything.
Choose a uniform wall color, such as sage green, which stands out beautifully when paired with darker green accents. Red can brighten the room and can be complemented by a standing lamp or vase. Bright blue pairs wonderfully with a velvet sofa and stands out in this cooler shade against a handwoven carpet with a graphic pattern.
Modern living room inspired by vintage style. Source: DUBLEZ
Create a contrast between the wood tone and the wall color by painting the walls in a dark shade. The combination of light and dark elements creates a cozy impression and complements this aesthetic. Dark paint and bold colors suit vintage interiors, while pairing them with lighter accessories and metallic finishes softens the overall look. The furniture shape determines whether the living room appears vintage or modern—sleek lines naturally feel more contemporary, while deep seats and curved arms exude a historical vibe. For example, a 1970s-style sofa might have a lower profile with metal legs but a less comfortable contour.
Accessories are the glue that holds the entire scheme together, and a statement mirror with antique details can make a striking centerpiece. If the frame is painted, use that color in other accessories, such as dressers, occasional chairs, or vases.
Incorporate wooden furniture that is either naturally or artificially distressed to instantly achieve a vintage atmosphere. Cabinets, nightstands, and coffee tables with drawers and carved handles, soft chairs or sofas with wooden frames, and rounded carved legs are instantly recognizable as vintage. Large wooden display cabinets with glass doors are ideal for showcasing historical accessories such as glassware, silver, or antique dishes.
Luxury vintage living room. Source: DUBLEZ
4. Bedroom in Vintage Style
Vintage bedroom ideas overflow with unique personality, rustic charm, and stories.
From the colors and patterns you decorate with to storage solutions and, most importantly, the bed, there are many elements to consider when choosing vintage-style accessories for your bedroom. Every element plays a crucial role in shaping the vintage vibe of your space.
Modern vintage bedroom design. Source: DUBLEZ
The bed is the largest and most prominent element of any bedroom design, so it’s clear where to start. A bed adorned with a floral quilt and matching pillows creates a relaxed and romantic vintage look.
Bedroom wallpaper can instantly change the look and feel of a room, and nowadays, many options are available.
Vintage-style bedroom with wallpaper. Source: DUBLEZ
Antique furniture is a great investment. Whether inherited or found at a sale, vintage pieces possess charm and often a quality unmatched by modern designs—often at a fraction of the price.
Old textiles from around the world, often handmade, are a beautiful way to celebrate craftsmanship and connect your home to the past. Options for using historic pieces to decorate the bedroom are endless, including curtains, blinds, or bed throws. Using wallpaper in a small bedroom might feel overwhelming, but it can be an excellent way to add personality and create an eclectic vintage look.
Modern vintage bedroom with canopy. Source: DUBLEZ
Adding a canopy and fabric drapery over the bed is a great way to create a romantic focal point in the bedroom. These elements, originally used for privacy and to symbolize wealth and status, are now employed in a more decorative manner. They help create a cozy and intimate feeling, which is highly valued in any vintage bedroom.
Searching antique shops, thrift stores, online marketplaces, or even roadside finds is a great way to discover quality furniture with vintage character.
Classic vintage bedroom. Source: DUBLEZ
5. Kitchen in Vintage Style
Vintage kitchen ideas blend the charm of the past with the practicality of the present. There are several ways to achieve this look, from free-standing furniture alongside built-in cabinets to enhancing your open shelves with treasures from flea markets.
Start with essentials like simple cabinets or old brass fittings. These elements create an elegant backdrop where your antique items can truly shine. A vintage cabinet, wall-mounted curtains, and decorative details come together beautifully to complement this style.
Vintage kitchen cabinet with porcelain. Source: DUBLEZ
Although wallpaper may not seem like a natural choice for a kitchen, the right design can completely transform your space. There are many ideas for kitchen wallpapers that add a unique touch. Rich tones and floral motifs also bring warmth and add character to minimalist designs.
The beauty of creating a vintage kitchen is the freedom from the constraints of modern kitchen design. In this setup, a vintage counter serves as an additional workspace, bringing both creativity and charm, perfectly complemented by creamy and wooden tones.
Kitchen styled with vintage design elements. Source: DUBLEZ
The kitchen’s aesthetics are elevated by a sturdy table and chairs that have a worn and “neglected” look—a cornerstone of any vintage kitchen design. Pairing dark antique wood with light cabinets is a great way to add depth to your kitchen's color scheme. These warm and rich accents contrast beautifully with cool neutral tones. If you’re looking to create an authentic vintage kitchen, we recommend exploring quality solid wood cabinets.
Opt for unique pieces—consider adding items to your kitchen that would traditionally belong in a living room or even your grandmother’s house. Mix the old with the new, and always aim for authentic and high-quality items.
Fully designed vintage kitchen. Source: DUBLEZ
6. Bathroom in Vintage Style
Your bathroom may be the smallest room in the house, but with the right wallpaper, it can become the most striking space. Start by considering the color. The shade you choose will guide your decisions for selecting perfect vintage floral patterns and serve as the foundation.
Vintage-style bathroom. Source: DUBLEZ
When incorporating floral patterns into a small bathroom, pay attention to the size of the flowers. Large shapes can make small spaces feel even smaller, so stick to more refined designs to create the illusion of a larger space.
A classic bathtub can easily become the focal point, adding a touch of elegance to your bathing space.
Modern vintage bathroom design. Source: DUBLEZ
If you’re fortunate enough to have a period bathroom with large proportions and high ceilings, why not utilize the wall space to showcase beautiful vintage-style wallpaper? In larger bathrooms, there’s often a risk of them feeling cold, but wallpapers can help make the space feel warmer and more inviting.
Upcycling furniture is not only a great way to blend the old with the new, but it’s also more cost-effective than buying brand-new pieces. Additionally, this approach is more environmentally friendly, addressing today’s pressing environmental concerns.
Modern bathroom with vintage details. Source: DUBLEZ
7. Difference Between Vintage and Retro Style
These two seemingly similar styles are often confused, but they are not the same, and each has its distinct features. Vintage style is characterized by using genuine old items, typically at least 20 years old. These can be pieces of furniture, decorations, or home accessories. Such items are best sourced from flea markets or antique shops. Vintage style emphasizes old, used items that are harmonized within the interior.
Retro style, on the other hand, is merely inspired by the past but consists of new furniture, decorations, etc. Retro items are newly made and can be purchased in regular stores. Whether it’s a radio inspired by the 1940s but equipped with modern technology, or a kitchen set designed with the 1960s in mind, retro pieces are new and untouched by time.
Living room in vintage style. Source: DUBLEZ
