25 Tips and Ideas for Decorating a Bedroom in Vintage Style
When designing a bedroom, you can never go wrong by opting for pieces with vintage flair—and designers agree. "Vintage interior design has an unparalleled charm," designer and Legrand brand ambassador Breegan Jane explains. "It’s an acquired taste, but for those who love it, the nostalgia is worth going the extra mile."
Stephanie Purzycki of The Finish agrees, noting, "The bedroom is your personal sanctuary, which makes it a great place to incorporate vintage decor, because vintage has a lot more personality and character than new items."
Worried about sourcing beautiful yet affordable finds? Don't be, according to Purzycki. "You’ll often find higher quality items at a much lower price than if you were to buy new, so your budget will go further and you’ll end up with a space that feels more finished," she says.
Keep reading for 25 ways in which you can add major vintage style to your bedroom today.
Curate a Gallery Wall
Ashley Harding, the brains behind Vintage Refined, hung an eclectic gallery wall above the daybed in her guest room and carefully selected pieces that all take us back to simpler times. Ornate mirrors and china in particular evoke that quintessential antique look that is perfect for any vintage-themed space.
Be Thoughtful With Accessories
The accessories you choose for a vintage-style space should have meaning—designer Brett Seidl purchased the retro telephone pictured above off of eBay for a special touch in her clients' daughter's bedroom. An antique-looking mirror above the bed is an excellent complement.
Add an Armoire
An armoire doesn't just provide extra storage (which is extremely welcome); it also takes us back to another era when such pieces were prominent in bedrooms. If you can source a vintage armoire, display it in your main bedroom like writer and design consultant Jessica Brigham did—the result is so elegant.
Include a Vanity
A vanity takes us back to simpler times when getting ready in front of the bathroom mirror while sipping a cup of coffee just wasn't done. Add some glamour to your daily routine by setting up a vanity table like blogger Katherine Medlin of Pender and Peony did in her space. Bonus points if it can double as a desk.
Find Purpose in an Old Piece
In Kristine Franklin's daughter's bedroom, a vintage card catalog provides welcome storage. By no means do you need to use a piece in its intended, original way for it to shine in a space. Creativity is key.
Hang Landscape Art
Landscape paintings and drawings are longtime classics that continue to remain popular today. "Vintage art adds so much more personality to a room than a mass market print, since you’ll be getting something one of a kind and original," Purzycki notes. Hang a series of favorite images above the bed, like blogger Ashley Broviak did. No need to opt for originals—many digital downloads are available online and won't break the bank. Or, Purzycki adds, "Check out estate sales and your local goodwill for options."
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Lean a Mirror
Ornate mirrors are a vintage bedroom must-have—the larger in size, the better. "Never underestimate the power of a gorgeous antique brass wall mirror," Jane notes. "Place the mirror in an area that will catch both the eye and the light. You’ll make the space look larger than it is while evoking that sophisticated heirloom quality you’re after." We love the glamorous find Instagrammer Alyssa added to her bedroom.
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Bring on the Burl
Burlwood is coming back into style but has long been a home design staple. If you're able to source an armoire made from this material, let it take the stage in your bedroom as Instagrammer Claire did. This special material will forever stay a classic.
Deck the Mantel
If you're lucky enough to have a mantel in your bedroom like Instagrammer Leanne, the woman behind The Leopard Lounge, let the architectural piece shine. A gold mirror and some sconces will add a vintage touch to the vignette and a large dose of romance to your sleep space.
Choose the Right Bed Frame
As with lighting, bed frames can instantly impact a room's aesthetic. A white wrought iron piece like the one pictured above in Instagrammer Vanessa's space is a wonderful choice for any vintage lover. Cozy it up with velvet pillows and soft blankets galore.
Maximize Function
Once again, an armoire shines in the bedroom of interior designer Jess, who runs Domicile37. She used the piece to serve as an expansive home for her shoe collection—no more cramming heels and sneakers into a small closet.
Style With Silver
If you like the vintage look but your style leans more glam, do like Instagrammer Sharree of Dollhouse Interiors did and incorporate plenty of pops of silver. Picture frames, mirrors, and candle holders are a great place to start.
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Choose Muted Tones
Any vintage bedroom looks lovely with the addition of dusty pink textiles, as we see in Instagrammer Elle's space. It adds a soft, romantic touch that brings us back to simpler times.
Style a Stool
A versatile wooden stool adds a simple touch to any bedroom. Whether you choose to place one next to your bed like Instagrammer Imani did or use it as a plant stand, you can't go wrong.
Rock That Rug
Meanwhile, if you prefer boho-style, jazz up your vintage-inspired space with a patterned rug that evokes colorful, casual vibes, as Instagrammers Maggie and Joe did. "Every bedroom needs a rug, and vintage ones are beautiful, well made, and timeless," Purzycki adds. "Etsy and eBay are my favorite resources for vintage rugs."
Stagger Your Artwork
Vintage rooms should always convey a bit of whimsy, and hanging art so that it's a bit scattered and not in a uniform row, as Instagrammer Rebecca did here, will instantly achieve that look. The white frames pop beautifully against her blue walls. When it comes to selecting prints, be strategic: "Whether it’s a muted floral, an early map, or historical buildings print, pick colors that complement your furnishings and make the wallpaper the focal point," Jane says.
Try a Trunk
There's nothing as functional and aesthetically unique as a vintage trunk. Whether yours was passed down for generations or simply found at the local flea market, let it shine in your sleep space. Interior designer Ruqiya of Studio RIU styled hers to serve as a nightstand.
Layer Some Portraits
When it comes to vintage-looking artwork, you can never go wrong with oil portraits—and the more you have, the merrier! Design consultant Hilary, who owns H. Prall & Co, displayed an entire shelf's worth of such paintings above her bed. It's always fun to make up stories about the faces scattered around your home.
Set Out a Tray
A quaint breakfast-in-bed tray reminds us of simpler times when we started our mornings nice and leisurely (and not buried in our electronics). Incorporating one into your bedroom like blogger Rosie did will help convey a laid-back, cozy vibe.
Opt for Wooden Pieces
Skip the white furniture if you're looking to achieve a vintage aesthetic. Instead, select wooden pieces that give off a traditional vibe, like the nightstands that blogger Alisa Bovino incorporated into her primary bedroom. You can still add more modern touches in the form of rugs and seating. "The one thing about vintage decor: it’s best when mixed with new pieces so it doesn’t end up with the dreaded ‘grandma's house’ look," Purzycki shares. "Find a few large vintage pieces to decorate around, and then mix in smaller vintage accents and art."
Source Weathered Furniture
Furniture that tells a story, like this dressing table interior designer and Instagrammer Chantelle has in her home, is so valuable and special. "Vintage case goods like dressers and nightstands are usually much better quality than what you’d find for a similar price if you purchased new at a furniture or big box store, plus they’re incredibly easy to find at places like thrift stores and on Facebook marketplace," Purzycki comments. "Plus you can customize them easily. Look for hardwood pieces, which can be painted or refinished to match your decor."
Hang Botanicals
You'll find botanical prints in many vintage-style bedrooms. They're calming to look at and they make a lovely finishing touch. Instagrammer Leila chose a set of three to hang above her bed.
Add a Pop of Leopard
We see leopard print furnishings in numerous contemporary spaces, but the pattern also looks beautiful in vintage rooms—just one pop of the print alone will do the trick, though, don't go overboard. Instagrammer Kirsten chose a delightful chair that adds the right amount of pizzazz.
Think Ornate
One can never have too many ornate frames hung up in a vintage-inspired space. Instagammer Monique opted for one large floral painting to hang above her bed, and the shiny gold frame is a work of art on its own.
Go Large With Lighting
"For me, an oversized vintage brass lamp is the equivalent of a little black dress," Capitol Vintage Charm's Stacy Harvie explains. "By changing the shade as it rotates rooms in your home, it can be a basic lamp you keep forever. And if it is oversized enough, between the shade and the shine of the brass, it can often make a statement standing alone without other items needed on the table."
Tip
When it comes to determining the best shopping resources, think beyond common resale websites and neighborhood thrift stores, Anna Weaver of Anna Weaver Interiors advises. "Explore auctions, home consignment stores, estate sales, antique malls, Instagram sellers—the internet has made locating these sources so much easier," she says. "And go slow, take your time discovering your favorite secondhand haunts."
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Read the original article on The Spruce.
