Vintage apartment decorating ideas

Have you ever heard of the vintage style? If so, perhaps you'd like to incorporate it into your apartment's decor?

Thanks to this article, you will learn the main codes of vintage style , and then you will know how to best incorporate it into your interior decoration.

You will also find a list of ideas that you can use as inspiration to create the vintage decor of your dreams.

In this article, we will see:

• How to recognize vintage decor
• How to create a vintage apartment decor
• The best vintage decorating ideas for your apartment

Let's begin without further ado!

I) What makes up vintage apartment decor?

Even today, the word "vintage" is often misused. To describe old-fashioned decor, it's frequently confused with "antique" or "retro." However, it does have a precise meaning, leaving little room for interpretation. Moreover, and this may surprise you, the term "vintage" is not an anglicism at all. It's actually a French term, derived from the word " vin " (wine).

Anything that perfectly reflects the period in which it was created is described as vintage. Thus, an object invented in the 1970s that reflects that era can be considered vintage. To be more precise, it's important to know that anything created more than a century ago or less than twenty years ago can never be classified as vintage.

II) How to create a vintage decoration?

The vintage look encompasses all the elements that make up the style of a decoration. It is also worth noting that this style is particularly delicate and that harmony between all the elements that compose it is essential.

In other words, good vintage decoration touches on the colors of the walls , the furniture, and even the decorative objects.

1) Ideal wall colors for vintage style

When it comes to wall paint in a decor, it's primarily the combination of certain colors that defines the vintage look. Furthermore, by pairing wall colors with the right furniture and decorative elements, even neutral colors like black and white can achieve a vintage feel.

As you can see, there aren't many restrictions when it comes to colors to ensure your walls fit well with a vintage decor. Here are a few color combinations that blend perfectly with the vintage style:

• Navy blue, grey, beige, red, burgundy and yellow
• Pink, fir green, navy blue and orange-yellow
• Khaki green, terracotta and old rose
• Granny green, salmon, and flashy orange

To emphasize the vintage feel of your wall painting, you can opt for unique patterns that have been associated with specific eras, such as:

• Circles and hoops for the 60s
• Square shapes, like diamonds, for the 70s
• Lines (vertical preferred) for the 80s

2) How to choose furniture and decorative objects for a vintage decor

While you may have the perfect decor for your vintage apartment in mind, you might not find the right pieces. To help with this, we offer these tips.

A) Persevere in your search for vintage furniture

Don't hesitate to revisit stores that might have the furniture you're looking for. By being patient and periodically checking several shops, you increase your chances of finding the perfect pieces for your apartment's vintage decor.

Also, be sure to clearly explain your needs to the different sellers and give them your phone number. They will certainly call you if they find furniture that matches your description.

B) Be selective in your choice of vintage items

The idea here isn't to take all the furniture and other decorative objects that can be classified as vintage. They would also need to be in good condition.

In general, furniture and objects made entirely of wood age better than those containing metal or upholstery . So pay close attention to the ones you choose.

C) Look for quality

It's not obvious at first glance, but you can easily distinguish quality furniture. If, for example, you want to buy a vintage wardrobe , you can simply test its drawers. They should move smoothly and without creaking.

However, you should be careful, as some sellers tend to refurbish the furniture they put up for sale, and they don't always do it properly. This results in furniture that's only good for a few weeks before its defects reappear.

D) Conduct the necessary research on the different vintage brands

Since you are looking to acquire vintage furniture, it is more than likely that you have never heard of certain prestigious brands that once existed but have closed down or changed their name.

Your goal is therefore to learn more about these brands and their quality products so as not to miss out on the best opportunities.

E) Learn to bargain

Now that you know the price ranges for several vintage furniture pieces , it's time to go on the offensive by negotiating better prices.

Don't hesitate to point out any flaws you see to justify your asking price. After all, there's a good chance you'll have to pay for repairs yourself after purchasing the item.

F) Buy furniture that fits in with your vintage decor

Naturally, you don't buy vintage furniture to put in a garage. Therefore, you must ensure you only purchase items that fit within the vintage decor of your apartment.

So don't hesitate to measure the dimensions of the furniture that interests you. When displayed, these pieces are likely to appear much smaller or significantly larger than they actually are.

G) Create your vintage decor from independent elements

To achieve a truly original vintage look, avoid buying mass-produced furniture sets. These are likely to have been mass-produced, which can completely ruin your decor.

III) Our best vintage decorating ideas

It's no secret that all forms of decoration continue to evolve these days, and vintage decor is no exception. Thus, you can find vintage decor that's outdated and others that are quite trendy.

To help you choose the best vintage decor for your apartment, we present here a selection of interesting ideas that will certainly inspire you.

1) Decorate exclusively with vintage items

You can give your decor a vintage feel by sticking to the decorative elements characteristic of this style. Among these are floral patterns, which can adorn various furniture accessories, such as cushions or rugs. As for colors, it's best to opt for pastel shades, which blend easily with most other vintage colors.

We also suggest hanging glass chandeliers to add a chic and glamorous touch to your decor. As for the wallpaper, you can choose natural materials typical of the vintage style, in neutral colors.

You can also hang pictures on the walls of your living room, with images that fit the vintage theme.

2) Hang vintage wallpaper

This year, wallpaper is making a strong comeback. With countless designs sure to remind you of the '60s, '70s, and '80s, wallpaper will easily find its place in the decor of your living room, dining room , and even your bedroom. What's more, hanging wallpaper is surprisingly easy.

Using vintage wallpaper colors as an accent wall is also a simple and practical idea that will allow you to easily get started on your decorating project.

3) Install a vintage minibar

The first minibars appeared in the 1950s. That said, you don't have to look for one that old. You can opt for a slightly more recent model, as long as it doesn't clash with your decor. In fact, we recommend choosing a minibar from the 1980s . It will certainly be more durable and efficient.

You now know the main characteristics of vintage decor. You now have all the necessary knowledge to incorporate this style into your apartment.

Don't forget to stick to the basics, choosing the right colors and creating a neat vintage atmosphere , thanks to a harmonious combination of furniture and decorative elements.

Avoid placing overly modern elements, as these may clash with the decor.

Furthermore, you can complement your vintage decor with canvas prints. You'll find many vintage-style paintings on our website.

To thank you for making it this far, enjoy a 15% discount on your order today with the promo code: BLOG15 .

See you soon.

The Lofty Trend Team.