When it comes to choosing that perfect style of furniture for your home, it all comes down to personal taste. There are a number of different styles to choose from and there are no rules when it comes to what you must or must not use in a space. One of the more popular styles out there, as of late, is the vintage look. The vintage look is really about taking those retro looking or retro-inspired pieces and creating a unique look in your home.
When it comes to choosing that perfect style of furniture for your home, it all comes down to personal taste. There are a number of different styles to choose from and there are no rules when it comes to what you must or must not use in a space. One of the more popular styles out there, as of late, is the vintage look. The vintage look is really about taking those retro looking or retro-inspired pieces and creating a unique look in your home.
Here we’ll take a look at an in-depth guide at how you can add retro furniture to your home, what counts as “retro furniture”, and even cost-saving tips if you’re in the process of re-decorating not just one but a number of rooms at once. So let’s get started.
The Differences Between Retro And Vintage Style Furniture
Even though we have referred to both retro and vintage furniture in an interchangeable way, it's important to note that there are a few small differences. If you want to truly create that pure vintage look, then you need to shop for pieces that are old, but not too old. Typically, you want something that is around the 30-50-year mark in age. It's also important to note that vintage doesn't mean the item has to be used; it's just an older item.
In terms of retro furniture, by definition, this means pieces that are currently considered "out of style" or outdated. People tend to relate to those "bygone pop eras" and use pieces that were once considered trendy and cool, bringing them back into style. Retro-style furniture tends to give a real uniqueness to a room since it is pieces you aren't used to seeing nowadays. It can be a used or new item and can even show signs of wear.
So, as you can see, both styles refer to pieces that are older and can be pre-loved or new and are meant to add personality and uniqueness to a space. There is plenty of overlapping of the two styles and often people prefer to mix them together. As stated, in this guide, we will be focusing on retro-styled furniture in particular.
Any Room Or Home Can Have Pops Of Retro Vibes
The first thing to note is that retro bedroom furniture and decor is extremely versatile and can be used in any age or style of home. You can either go all out and design an entire room or home to add some retro flair, or you can just add key elements to the space for interest. It all depends on how much work you are willing to put in, the budget you are working on, and how much you like the look of a retro space.
If you're just starting the process, then you may want to invest in a couple of big-ticket items, such as retro-styled furniture, in order to set the tone in the room. You can then work from there as your time and budget allow.
Keep The Prints And Colours In Check
Many people assume that in order to create that true retro-inspired room, you need to blend a wide variety of colours, prints, and textures with a big emphasis on geometric prints and bold colours. While it’s true these are indicative of a retro design, it doesn’t mean you need to combine everything in one room. Instead, it can be helpful to stick to one colour palette, or one feature colour, and build on it within reason.
If it’s the bold prints or colours that call out to you the most, then you could always make that your big-ticket item or your focal point. For example, you can invest in a large sofa with a retro geometric print in a bold colour, and then keep everything else more subdued and laid-back. Ideally, the retro style tends to work best when you combine the old and eclectic pieces with new forms.
Carrying It Through The House
If you are trying to re-decorate more than one room, use the main colour palette that you have already chosen as your anchor. Each room can stay within that colour palette adding decor, furniture, and other pieces that work within that palette. Not only will this ensure that the retro style is used in all rooms, it also creates a flow to your home so that the rooms don’t feel separated and disjointed.
Must-Have Retro Furniture Pieces
In order to narrow down your list a bit and pick a few must-have pieces that will have the most impact in a room, you'll want to narrow in on these:
- A cabinet cooler - It doesn't get more retro or cool than a cabinet cooler. These nifty little pieces are often called sidebars. They look like a simple enough table but in fact, they house cocktail glasses and bar supplies. It’s got that whole 1960s vibe, which is just the ultimate in coolness.
- A retro-styled sofa - Retro styled sofas are relatively easy to find nowadays and tend to be very sleek, simple, and modern in design. They can even be referred to as contemporary. This is also a great item to add that pop of colour or print to.
- Armchair and ottoman - Another must-have retro piece is the classic armchair and ottoman set. They can be in the same colour/print, or you can do a little mixing and matching. Again, look for that contemporary design and keep the lines simple and sleek. Retro-styled furniture doesn’t have a lot of fuss and fanfare to it.
What About Cost?
The cool thing about furniture is that it can be brand new or pre-loved. What this means is that you can buy a high-quality brand new item such as a sofa and chair, so you know they’ll hold up over time, but then with the other pieces, you can save money by going the pre-loved route.
Most of today’s top furniture stores and designers offer retro pieces that can easily blend with the rest of your space. It’s best to look at the furniture as more of an investment piece since you don’t want to have to replace it on a regular basis.
For décor pieces, this is when second-hand shops and even car boot sales can end up saving you a lot of money and produce some amazing retro treasures.
Retro Furniture Can Transform A Space
Retro-styled furniture has the ability to really transform a space, make it feel more modern and unique. It’s easily one of the most light-hearted and fun styles out there, making it a popular option.
