Buying antique furniture is one of the best ways to add character to your home. Often made from high quality materials, vintage furniture can really enhance a room while achieving the retro look you want.
From mid-century to antique, there are countless styles of antique furniture to decorate that can add depth and interest to your home. But despite the obvious appeal of vintage decor, it can be difficult to know where to start if you're not used to shopping this way. Unlike purchasing something new, other factors need to be considered to ensure you are making the right vintage purchase for your space.
Luckily, interior designer Emily Henderson gave us some helpful tips for finding and purchasing vintage pieces. Below, we've compiled her three tips to follow to ensure you 're aware of the mistakes to avoid when buying used furniture .
"It instantly adds soul to your home," Emily tells H&G about antique furniture. "There is nothing better than finding a stunning vintage piece that will make your home unique."
1. Consider possible recovery costs
Before you buy vintage furniture, you need to know how much the necessary restoration work will cost. Depending on the condition of the piece, it can be incredibly expensive to bring it back to life. That's why it's important to consider this first.
"I know many of us look for old pieces to renovate, thinking we can easily bring them back to life or adapt them inexpensively," says Emily. "Sometimes it is, but often it is more expensive or more extensive than you think. Before purchasing, try to estimate the cost of repairs or adjustments. It may be more economical to wait for a part that requires less labor.
Emily Henderson is Emily Henderson is a stylist, interior designer, HGTV host, and founder of Emily Henderson Design, which she has run for over a decade. Emily gives us style inspiration every day on her Instagram and her blog is a great source for DIY ideas to help you make the most of your space.
2. Look for unique and remarkable pieces
"I really try to make sure that every vintage I buy is something I've never seen before or wanted for a long time," says Emily. When purchasing vintage items, look for unique, eye-catching pieces that you know you will love for years to come. It can be an investment. To avoid costly interior design mistakes , consider how interesting each piece of your interior design ideas will be. "Look for interesting shapes and quality materials," adds Emily. "That way it will be almost impossible to regret."
3. Mix vintage pieces with modern decor
When it comes to styling your vintage finds, decorating a room with both modern and vintage pieces can provide balance and ensure vintage pieces don't go out of style. Before completely filling a room with vintage pieces, consider what modern pieces can go with it to give it an updated look.
"I'm a big fan of combining old and new pieces," says Emily. "Good side tables, cabinets and coffee tables are relatively easy to find and use. Plus, they typically don't need to be updated as much as the upholstery. For me the magic lies in the balance between using new and old products.
Vintage style decoration is always one of the best ways to enhance your space. If you want to follow Emily's advice and learn the benefits of decorating like this, we've got you started with where to buy vintage and vintage furniture online .