Room Planner > Blog > Interior Design > Vintage style in the interior
Vintage style in the interior
Vintage style in the interior. How popular is vintage and who prefers it? Read about the key ideas and components of vintage on the Room Planner blog with apartment design ideas.
How popular is vintage and who prefers it?
‘Vintage’ means ‘made in the past’. It was originally a winemaking term referring to the year the grapes for a wine were harvested. Vintage interior design incorporates themes or objects that date from the past, usually ranging from between 20 and 100 years ago.
Vintage modern interior design has gained massive popularity for how it juxtaposes old and new for a unique look. It is popular across demographics but its most enthusiastic proponents fall into two general categories.
Firstly, it is older people who appreciate vintage designs that hark back to their childhood or youth. This connection to their past is both about reminiscing and celebrating an age that holds a special place in their hearts.
The second group comprises younger people who have an affinity to a particular age. They may like the quaint designs and the color palettes that are out of place today. Many of these are individuals who rebel against the status quo and are reluctant to adopt the same trends and fashions that are popular among their peers.
One of the reasons for the wide appeal of design vintage is that it is so easily incorporated into homes with different designs. Most people may not design their entire home in a vintage style but will readily include small elements as highlights in a room.
History of occurrence
The rise of the vintage design interior coincided with the turn of the 21st century. At the time, modern minimalist style was all the rage because its lines and style were a good fit with the ongoing technological revolution. However, the overt move towards minimalism did not appeal to everyone; many had a preference for the more elaborate, curvy lines of the past.
Because actual vintage décor and designs vintage were out of fashion, they were difficult to find in stores. Instead of looking in interior design shops, fans of vintage at the time resorted to looking in thrift stores and even junk yards. These places were ripe for serendipitous discoveries and added to the unique character of vintage accessories.
This unorthodox way of creating a unique space appealed to artistic types. Very soon after its inception, people started to notice that the quirky personalities in society who set the trends were opting for vintage styles. The vintage theme became ‘cool’ by association.
All the items that were until that point only available in thrift stores were suddenly being snapped up by high-end designers. The prices skyrocketed and it suddenly became a common theme in expensive restaurants, shops, and even homes.
Key style ideas
The key style ideas of vintage design correspond to the commonalities of the age where they were conceived. Since the term ‘vintage’ covers such a wide period of time, it includes a similarly wide range of elements.
Authentic accessories are the real heart of vintage style. It could be something as simple as a vintage bathroom sign on the washroom door to a leather traveling chest to a massive grandfather clock.
Authenticity also comes in the details. Clean and sleek lines do not work with the vintage look. Instead, each piece must reveal the passage of time with its distressed surfaces and chipped edges.
Wallpaper is also a common feature. The exact patterns differ depending on the era that you want to showcase. Colors are neutral as a background. Floral prints or straight, parallel lines also work. A 1950s look could also include a mosaic of wall tiles.
Components of vintage
Material
The vintage movement preceded the technological era and was borne out of an opposition to many of the cutting edge materials of that time. As such, the traditional elements of wood and unpolished metal abound in vintage décor, particularly the former.
The warm earthiness of wood, coupled with its brown shades and textured finish lend themselves well to vintage interiors. You will see the most often in tables and chairs, as well as shelving and flooring. Depending on the era, the wood may feature straight and simple lines or elaborate carving.
Accessories
One of the most overt sign vintage is the large size of budding technology. Consider audio equipment. From gramophones to standalone speakers that could be over 4 feet in height, everything was huge. Computer equipment from the era is not only very stylish but also in high demand, meaning that it can be priceless.
Appliances such as refrigerators sport a plain metallic finish. Faux vintage appliances use advanced materials but end with a coating that resembles stainless steel or even polished metals that were common in the 1950s.
Lighting
The only lighting that was available in the era that we call vintage was in the form of open flames or traditional light bulbs. Both of these sources of light have a warm yellow or orange glow to them. Vintage lighting fixtures can include anything from simple sconces to elaborate chandeliers.
You can also include some cooler white light to break up the monotony without encroaching upon the vintage feel.
Ideas for furnishing an apartment in vintage style
Vintage lovers are fortunate in that the style covers such a diverse range of concepts because it gives us a similarly diverse choice of décor options. In doing up an entire home, one good approach is to have each room in its own style of vintage.
One good approach is to go decade by decade across each of the rooms, which can be a fascinating journey particularly for those with an appreciation of history.
A dining room can be done in the colonial style for its straight lines and elegant demeanor. Spaces with an intellectual bent such as the library are ideal candidates for the Victorian treatment as the era coincided with a surge in discoveries and inventions.
The dining area, and perhaps also the kitchen, could borrow from the S.S. Titanic, famous for its ostentatious décor and heavy emphasis on ornamentation. A bedroom is the ideal place to employ the art deco style so popular in the 1920s. The gilt fittings, unique art style, and clean lines make for an excellent retreat within the home.
Each of these spaces would hold its own and yet encapsulate the magic of eras gone long by.
The Room Planner App simplifiesvintage style in the interior. You can design your real home or a fantasy one, all in the palm of your hand. Try it for free today!
Try the best interior design app Room Planner
Measure your space, create stunning 2D/3D floor plans, decorate and furnish your interior with world-famous brands, make professional visualizations, and get inspiration from predesigned layouts for your bedroom, bathroom, living room, etc.
