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Decorating With Antique and Vintage Pieces

By Rachel

published 07/05/2020

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Last Updated on October 24, 2024 by Rachel Granholm

It is a breath of fresh air when it comes to decorating with antique and vintage pieces!

When it comes to decorating your home, you want it to feel cozy, warm, and inviting. It also is important to fill your home with items and pieces that feel true to you, your style, and your definition of home. Decorating with antique and vintage pieces helps you achieve that sense of ‘home’ due to the character and charm that old pieces contain.

What Is Antique and Vintage Decor?

According to a Google search, an antique is defined as “any collectible object that has a high value because of its considerable age, typically over 100 years old.”

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Not all antiques are or have to be expensive or high in value price wise. Finding and collecting antiques is not so much about buying super expensive pieces, but rather noticing the antiques that speak to you and bring you joy.

The value doesn’t come in the price and it is just an item, but when you are looking to create a space that feels less materialistic and more personal, that’s where antique pieces find their value.

If you are a person that finds yourself drawn to higher priced antiques, that is great and there is nothing wrong with that.

But, for those of you new to the antiquing world, you don’t have to pay a high dollar amount and you will be able to find pieces that speak to you within your price range.

Decorating with Antique and Vintage Pieces

Being used to purchasing brand new items for much of my life that were all nicely arranged on shelves, sourcing old pieces took some getting used to. Searching and sifting through so many different layers of items in so many different booths is a process!

For example, it took me about four months after I started going to antique stores to really find a specific style that inspired me. Then one day, a piece of milk glass caught my eye from way across the store.

It was a beautiful hobnail vase that was tucked behind other pieces on a shelf. That’s what started my milk glass collection!

Old pieces of home decor and furniture hold so much beauty and style of their own. You will find it… that’s the thrill of the hunt!

Now let’s switch gears and talk about the term ‘vintage’.

The term vintage is defined as “something from an earlier generation.” That is a broad definition and includes a HUGE range of decor styles.

Antique and vintage items are similar in nature in that they are all older pieces. The difference is in what year each piece was made.

You will find vintage pieces in every antique store.

As an example, enamelware, which was the first mass-produced kitchenware, is a vintage style that started in the 1870’s. That style has found its way into my heart. It has lead to my large collection of enamelware cups, teapots, kettles, bowls, and pitchers.

Shop Vintage Enamelware

Other examples include mid-century modern furniture and decor, or smaller items such as postcards and jewelry.

Antique or Vintage? Which is for you?

It really doesn’t matter if you are drawn to antiques over vintage or vice versa. Both categories contain old pieces of decor that are unique and one of a kind.

Refreshing your home using antique and vintage pieces can add whimsy, texture and soul to any space in your home. It can complement modern pieces beautifully.

Closing Tidbits on Decorating with Antique and Vintage Decor

Many pieces have patina which adds character and warmth to the spaces in your home that feel cold or bare. Every piece of antique or vintage decor has been on a journey, much like you on a life journey.

Many pieces have scratches or dents or rust. They are the furthest thing from perfect that there is, but that’s what makes them special.

Imperfections add beauty to life. Allow whatever piece that speaks to you into your home because it’s so much better than perfect.

Leave me a comment! Do you love to decorate with old decor? I love hearing from you!

If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.

Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!