Decorating with Antiques--For Beginners

Many of us love antiques and the thrill of a great find; however, knowing what to do with your new-found treasures is often a different story, especially if you’re attempting to add some chic accents to your home.  In short, having a plan, understanding how to group particular items together, and knowing what features need to be accentuated is only a start when it comes to adorning your space with beautiful antiques.

To really begin the process, consider the following tips and begin your search accordingly.

1.) WHAT’S YOUR OBJECTIVE?—In order to maximize your shopping time, a tiny bit of planning goes a long way.  Don’t be afraid to break out a pen and paper so you can not only organize your thoughts, but develop your main goals in the process.

                -Are you looking for certain pieces to serve as a focal point?

                -Are you attempting to target a particular mood, era, or color?

                -Will you bring antiques into your current look or start anew?

2.) PUT THOUGHT INTO HOW YOU’LL GROUP THINGS TOGETHER—One of the cardinal rules of decorating with antiques is to group pieces in odd numbers.  While that may seem strange, the main reason is that odd numbers tend to be more appealing to the eye—hence the reason prices are often $3.99 instead of $4.00 and landscaped shrubbery comes in groups of 3, 5, 7, etc.

Additionally, make sure there’s a flow that isn’t too cluttered or too sparse.  Group similar objects together and try to stick with the theme of the room.  If one portion of your living room is dedicated to the Elizabethan period, don’t switch to Baroque on the opposite wall.

3.) GET CREATIVE WITH COMMON ITEMS—Yes, this step requires a bit of creativity on your part; however, it will serve you well when your room looks nothing short of classy and unique.  Feel free to frame an old poster, turn a bread box into a plant pot, or mount glass doorknobs on the wall for picture hanging.

4.) DISPLAY YOUR FINDS CREATIVELY—Again, creativity remains a common theme, but it’s important to showcase your antique items using other objects such as cabinets or frames, or by adding intentional lighting.  To go a step further, you can even consider painting with a special color or utilizing unique draping techniques.

5.) MIX THE OLD WITH THE NEW—There’s nothing wrong with pairing antiques with modern decorations because it not only adds richness and depth, but it allows you to begin decorating without waiting for “all the right pieces” or additional funding.