As much as we might wish it were not the case, the winter is coming in fast. The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting colder, and we are all getting ready to bundle up on the sofa and spend some quality time indoors.
But it is also true that we have spent more than enough time getting better acquainted with the inside of our homes over the last eighteen months, and we could all do with freshening up our home décor.
One of the big buzzwords for every winter is “brighter.” It’s easy enough to let the sunlight in and find things that pop during the summer months, but as we head into November and December, it can be a little trickier. This is especially the case when the winter weather forecast is looking bleak, to say the least. So, this is where we need to start thinking outside the box, to find items and styles that, to borrow a phrase from Marie Kondo, really spark joy. We are talking, of course, about vintage home décor.
Vintage home décor is about so much more than an old chest of drawers or an antique tea set. Vintage is a broad term that speaks to everyone in a special and unique way. If you want to brighten up your home this winter, here are some of suggestions and questions to ask yourself to help you find a little vintage spark.
Vintage home decor – Find Your Theme
One of the most important steps that you need to take if you are picking vintage home décor is to understand your theme. Now, sometimes this is a big unifying theme that is going to be the entire look and feel of your home. But it does not have be so all or nothing. If you are struggling to find a way to brighten up a specific space, why not think about allocating a theme to that location in particular?
For example, if you find that your lounge is feeling a little dark and lifeless, why not theme it around a mood or a design that you have always loved? Turning it into an old-fashioned reading room could really give it a special warmth, especially if you are a big reader with some vintage hardbacks on your hands. Alternatively, look for vintage crates or suitcases to give your space the feel of a hotel bar in some far-flung location from decades past. Vintage advertisements are always a great way to bring character to a space, so do your research and see what kind of brands and eras could fit your theme.
Vintage home decor – Embrace Your Nostalgia With Some Vintage Hardware
So much discussion around home décor is focused on furnishings and decoration. Vintage wallpaper is absolutely wonderful and many of us would cover our entire homes with it if we could afford it, but home décor is so much more than that. If you are trying to brighten a specific space, think about what vintage items you love that would be a great addition to your home.
If you are a record collector, why not commit to finding a vintage record player to replace the budget-friendly recent model you bought online? If you are a gamer who misses the tactile experience that online gaming lacks, then think about buying some classic Bitcade arcade games and bringing some of that childhood magic back into your life. There are some wonderful options out there, and you can browse the best of Bitcade’s arcade games for inspiration online.
Vintage home decor – Don’t Be Afraid To Think Big
Now, a vintage home décor project could be complete with one or two items or a piece of furniture. It could also be something that takes a little longer but has a much bigger impact. We have all been doing a lot more home improvement during the course of the pandemic as we have thought about how we can bring fresh life to our homes, and it is hardly surprising that a lot of people seem to be drawn to two types of space in particular: bars and cinemas.
Creating a vintage bar feel is a little easier, as you can do an awful lot with vintage drink trays, vintage glasses, and a recipe book of old-fashioned favourites. Converting your TV room into a vintage home cinema may be a little more ambitious but it is certainly achievable. Think about what kind of era you want to go for, whether it’s the art deco of the ‘20s and ‘30s, the sleek chic style of the ‘60s, or the dawning of the multiplex from the 1980s. Finding the right cinema seating is always the first challenge, but don’t be afraid to think bigger with concession stands, wall signs and posters of coming attractions.
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