Mixing contemporary and vintage interior design can create a dynamic, personalized space that tells a story. From the sleek, minimalist designs of New York to the eclectic, character-filled homes in San Francisco, and the laid-back, vintage-inspired spaces of Austin, this style fusion allows you to combine timeless vintage pieces with contemporary designs that reflect your unique taste. Whether you’re incorporating antique furniture into a modern loft or pairing retro accessories with minimalist décor, the possibilities are endless.
Artist Sana Shaw shares that “a great way to blend old and new is by using antique items as focal points, adding an intriguing touch to any room.” She points out some great advantages of incorporating vintage furniture in your home décor. “Buying vintage items is often less expensive than purchasing new ones, and they can help create a more distinctive look. Moreover, vintage objects often have the charm and character that new items lack. In this guide, we’ll share tips and ideas to help you master the art of mixing and matching modern and vintage décor with ease.
Design your space to reflect you
The best decor reflects your personality and creates a true sense of home. Incorporating family heirlooms and travel finds adds a personal connection to the space. Vintage items often tell a story, and when combined with modern pieces, they create a unique environment that is distinctly yours.
Jaye Langmaid, owner and principal of Hudson & Crane shares the sentiment of including personal touches to your modern home décor. “Some of my favorite decor combinations include new items with a modern flair, like lucite or decor with a minimal sensibility, mixed with some personal items of meaning.” She says. “The juxtaposition between new items and found or unique items create a conversation between one another, resulting in a combination that is truly you.
Choose a piece that seamlessly blends both styles
The idea of mixing and matching different décor styles can be intimidating. Sherry Hope-Kennedy, principal designer of Studio SHK suggests: that you “start by selecting a central piece or concept that can tie both styles together, such as a collection, a vintage coffee table, or a modern sofa. This focal point will serve as the anchor for your design and guide your choices for other items in the room.” She also emphasizes that you should “be mindful of scale and proportion, ensuring that the pieces complement each other.”
Jessica Holmes Holiday of HSH Designs shares that once you find that perfect vintage piece, its modern counterparts will fall into place. “A modern piece of glass, a sculpture, or a painting in fun colors usually sets a balance between the vintage tone and lines.” The vintage decor should have a special place in your home to allow it to stand out, “such as a foyer table, or bar cart. It should be something you can add modern touches to.”
When it comes to balancing both styles, there’s a formula tried and tested by interior designers. Sadie L. Harper, interior designer and owner of Studio H Designs recommends that you, “go with an 80/20 ratio: 80% modern pieces, 20% vintage. This highlights the vintage pieces against a modern backdrop, allowing them to shine. Equal amounts of both create competition and friction.”
Keep it simple
Simplicity is key when blending these two styles, allowing each element to stand out without overwhelming the space. “Achieving a successful ‘modern and vintage’ aesthetic often hinges on simplicity.” Susan Abramson, principal designer of Toronto Designers shares. “This approach emphasizes clean lines and uncluttered spaces, allowing each piece to shine individually. For instance, a vintage dining table can be beautifully complemented by a set of mid-century modern chairs. Similarly, a vintage rug can create a striking contrast when paired with a contemporary floor lamp.”
Keep the theme, but vary the details
To create a cohesive space while mixing contemporary and vintage design, it’s important to maintain an overall theme while allowing for variation in the details. A clear theme provides structure while varying the pieces adds personality and interest to the design.
Stephanie Thornton Plymale, CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design, suggests that you start by considering your home’s style, “whether it’s Mid-Century Modern, French European, or Eclectic, and let your décor guide you to ensure that your vintage find feels intentional and harmonious in the space.”
Joe I. Human of designs by human, Inc. agrees that your home décor, “whether new or old, needs to go with the overall style of the home but not necessarily match.” For instance, “a curvy sofa might pair well with a sideboard that has a similar curve shape detail in it on the handles, or if the wood tones match on the pieces it can create a consistent theme throughout.”
With that being said, following a decor style doesn’t mean you have to adhere to strict rules. Tiffany Cassidy of Lagnappe Custom Interiors emphasizes that “as long as the item brings you joy, there is a way to implement it. Worrying less about matching and buying pieces you simply love to mix in a room will create a truly unique space that reflects your personality and perspective on living.” Remember that your home décor is personal to you. “There is no exact formula or rule book when it comes to personal taste, go with what brings you joy.”
Catherine Deutschlander of CW Design shares a great example of vintage-modern décor below. “The fireplace serves as the focal point, leading your eye to the ottoman, which features appealing textures and a neutral color. From there, your gaze shifts to the Parson Chair, which stands out with a vibrant pop of color. Finally, your attention is drawn to the console table, where the dark wood complements the faux wood of the fireplace beautifully.”
Ensure consistency throughout your décor
To create a harmonious and balanced space, color and material palettes should complement one another. Toby Witte of Wittehaus emphasizes that “if you can find a strong throughline with both, it should provide you with a wonderfully eclectic and suave surrounding. Pick two or three strong elements and let the rest ride the wave.”
Color and texture are important elements in décor, especially when giving vintage nuances to a modern scheme. J. Randall Pavarini, VP of Pavarini Design, notes that “pulling a 50’s turquoise color into prime focus or a 70’s burnt orange can work wonders merging vintage and modern together in a space.”
Texture is also essential for adding depth and interest to a space. J. Randall shares that “adding a textured wallcovering or high-pile carpeting to an interior softens the starkness of a modern space which is often flat and cold and lacking context. A nubby upholstery fabric or a vintage-patterned drapery fabric can help bring a modern space to life, creating a natural foundation for adding vintage pieces by establishing context and contrast.”
Building on this idea, Apourva, CEO of Life n Colors, emphasizes the importance of color and material synergy: “A unified color palette or subtle theme, like earthy tones or rich metallics, can tie the two styles together, creating harmony and a personalized atmosphere. Layering the right materials, such as luxurious fabrics and intricate wallpaper designs, enhances this balance for a sophisticated yet warm space.”
Karen Wolf of K+CO Living, recommends adding texture to your home décor using beautiful Oushak and Turkish rugs. “The complex patterns, saturated natural dyes, and authenticity of design and material add depth and texture to a more minimally designed space. No one pattern or carpet is the same which adds personality and beauty.”
Maintain and care for vintage furniture
Maintaining the integrity of vintage furniture is key to ensuring it seamlessly fits into a modern space. Proper care and restoration can breathe new life into these pieces, making them feel fresh and timeless.
Make sure any vintage furniture you incorporate into your home is in good shape. If necessary, restore it to give it a refreshed, like-new appearance, as modern interiors often don’t accommodate pieces that appear damaged or outdated.
Ryan Fightmaster, owner of Fight Furniture restoration emphasizes that “nothing distracts attention more than a damaged piece of vintage furniture.” Get it refinished by a professional – for less than it would cost to buy something new – and add a timeless aesthetic to your modern home.”
Aim for harmony and balance in your décor
The key to blending modern and vintage décor is achieving harmony and balance. “For example, if you have an antique sideboard passed down from your grandmother that you love but don’t know how to incorporate it with the rest of your furniture,” Cristina DePina, ASID, founder and principal designer of Cristina DePina Interior Design suggests, “pair it with a sleek, modern piece of art above and a contemporary lamp or transitional accessories nearby.” This interplay of old and new creates a cohesive, curated look that feels timeless yet fresh.
Most of the time, vintage décor is full of character. To ensure it doesn’t compete with other elements in your space, Terra Link, founder and designer of The Savvy Heart shares that you should “opt for simple, modern pieces that serve as a beautiful backdrop. For example, a stunning ornate chest looks perfect in front of a bed, creating a striking focal point. Similarly, a unique piece of art will truly shine when displayed above a minimalist sideboard or sofa.”
Adrian Hee of NewSouth Event Rentals shows an example of how mixing modern and vintage interior design is all about striking the right balance. “Our Lola Curved White Velvet Sofa is effortlessly modern and chic, but when you pair it with a vintage rug or antique side tables, it creates a look that’s both timeless and fresh. It’s the perfect way to elevate your event with a touch of personality and style.”
Bringing it all together: Mixing contemporary and vintage interior design
Blending modern and vintage décor offers endless opportunities for creating a space that is both timeless and unique. Remember, it’s not about matching every detail but finding balance through texture, color, and scale to create a cohesive look that showcases the best of both worlds.
Renee Callahan of Myer’s Attic Decor and More affirms that “mixing modern and vintage is a great way to elevate a space. Adding vintage pieces brings a touch of class and charm, so don’t hesitate to soften those sleek modern lines with a bit of vintage flair.” With a little creativity and attention to detail, your modern-vintage fusion can result in a space that tells your story and stands the test of time.