We are no stranger to the different aesthetic visuals each era of time provides. From the intricate and posh gothic pieces to the cozy industrial interior, to the saccharine nature of rustic design, each style evokes its own unique vibe and presents a sense of character. 

A good way of utilizing these concepts would be to incorporate them within our own living space; through good use of interior design balance! Using antique and modern decor could easily breathe life into the interior by taking inspiration from different points in time. It is an act of painting a scene where elements of the past and present can intermingle with one another in perfect harmony. 

One must note that the attempt of mixing modern and antique furniture can get chaotic fast without prior knowledge. The two styles are seemingly different and tend to clash in many ways. However, embracing these differences and finding ways to mix them can lead to the best aesthetic results!

Defining Antique and Modern Decor

Before mixing modern and antique furniture, it is important to understand what these two styles are; what makes the old and new stand out from one another. Doing so can help us better understand the concept of interior design balance. 

Antiques refer to collectible items that are greatly valued because of their significant age. Oftentimes, these objects are defined to be no less than 100 years old, being a representation of history itself. They often contain less geometric forms and embrace more elaborate and intricate looks. Traditional chandeliers and wardrobes are sure to strike anyone with its impressive patterns.

Modern furnishes typically refer to pieces that are 20 years old or less. These are designs that are more minimalistic and geometric in terms of appearance, and it is quite prevalent in many interior design choices nowadays. It is the current trend that is easy to access for most people.

Tricks to Combine Antiques with Modern Furniture

Mixing modern and antique furniture can be a daunting task however, a little knowledge goes a long way! Learning the tricks of interior design balance will lead you to best results. 

Here are a few ways you can utilize antique and modern decor to bring out the best visuals for your own living spaces!

Finding the right balance

The most paramount thing to know about mixing modern and antique furniture is the attention to balance and proportion. In many aspects, balance in interior design is the golden rule. In fact, it can even serve as a foundational principle for all of the other tricks. It does not only refer to style, but to color, shape, and texture as well. It’s too easy to oversaturate a room with many clashing features, so finding the right balance to unite everything can make a huge difference. One can use the balance in many different ways. The 80/20 rule

The 80/20 rule is a type of interior design balance that makes use of 80 percent of one element, and 20 percent of the other. Within the context of antique and modern decor, that would mean tweaking the presence of these objects to meet the 80/20 scale. Since modern furniture is more accessible, it is usually that it dominates the interior, unless you are an avid collector. An example of this would be a cozy minimalist living room with a modern accent mirror and one fancy chandelier tying everything together. 

Balance in terms of scale

A piece of furniture, in terms of scale, is defined as its size when compared to all of the other objects around it. It is important to know how much space this item takes up. The idea of this technique is to ground lightweight or thin objects by placing them next to heavy ones, thereby creating balance. In application, a light contemporary sofa may look pleasing when placed next to a heavy aged coffee table.

Using repetition

One surefire way of achieving unity in the aesthetics of your living space is to use repetition. Of course, it’s easy to associate one object with another when they share the same features. This can come in the form of color, design, form, texture, and tones. 

Unity with color

Antique and modern decor come from two different periods of time, boasting their own unique features. Because of this, it can be challenging to unite one with the other; and that’s where the usage of color schemes comes in. Using the same color palette with different objects is a quick way of associating them together; appealing to our visual senses. Even the most elaborate antique piece can feel united in a blue room if it is blue as well. 

Picking a dominant wood tone

When using wood as a prominent texture within your living space, you can help unify the entire scene by picking a dominant wood tone for other pieces to connect to. Keep in mind that mixing different types of wood tones are still viable, just as long as there is one dominant tone that ties everything together. Wooden floors are a great foundation to establish this theme. With the presence of other wooden pieces like dining tables, it can make the space feel coherent and intentional. 

Contrast and juxtaposition

We’ve focused on the methods to bring elements together through repetition. In interior design balance, it is also important to differentiate certain features from one another, enough to add a sense of focus or to make them stand out. Using a balanced amount of contrast and juxtaposition can break the monotony of the overall design, making it come alive!

Harmonizing different time periods

With the sheer difference in styles between different time periods, it can inevitably be used to the advantage of the decorator. When mixing modern and antique furniture, a great way to establish character is to contrast two different time periods with one another. Doing so can present a unique look from the perspectives of different eras. A contemporary lamp on an old nightstand and many other combinations make very interesting images. 

Let the odd piece stand out

When you’re using methods of repetition and find yourself with a piece that doesn’t seem to match with any other element, don’t worry! This object can play a role as the centerpiece and star of the show. Doing this could provide visitors with a reliable focal point guaranteed to attract attention. 

Repurposing and refinishing

Overall, combining the usage of antique and modern decor is an incredibly creative feat, one that often pushes you to think outside of the box. Repurposing and refinishing these items are definitely one of these unique methods. 

Repurposing old furniture is a trick that makes use of changing the object’s function entirely in order to better fit a new environment. One example of this is turning an old dresser into the perfect cabinet for your bathroom sink. Once an object is repurposed, it is reborn with new looks and roles taken from a fresh perspective.

Refinishing a piece is often done to objects so that it blends in with the rest of the living space. Furniture that can be acquired cheaply from thrift shops can be refinished to meet the standards of your room, or fit the theme that you are going for. It gives you the power to tweak features, granting access to more repetition.

Playing with the right textiles

After all is laid out, one technique for adding finishing touches to your interior is utilizing the right textiles. Fabric pieces are an important feature to take note of and they can create a huge impact on the final vibe. With comfortable areas such as the living room, nothing says “welcome home” better than the perfect sofa fabrics. Sometimes, this could mean using animal-printed carpets, or simple rugs to either create unity or add contrast. 

To Wrap It Up

Much like most works of art, and other creative endeavors, interior design is just another means of expressing yourself and bringing to life what is beautiful. Combining elements from antiques and modern design is just a medium for this, a different mode of expression. As this article comes to a close, above all, perhaps the most important trick is to have fun and trust the process.