How to incorporate antiques in your living room | H is for Home

Antiques can make a fantastic addition to anyone's living room, or anywhere in the home. Even if you have more modern tastes in furniture and fittings, a few antiques can add some character and depth to a room.

Incorporating antiques into your living spaces can be challenging, however. You need to approach the task with some creativity in order to make the look work for you. Here are a few tips and tricks to get some antiques into your home and make them fit in with your living room's look.

Blue antique bedside cabinet

Start small

When you first begin bringing antique items into your rooms, you should start with something small. Vases or table top antiques can give your space the wow factor without crowding your room with too many unique pieces. Start with something small and build your collection from there. With furniture, start with a small coffee or end table to add a little antique class to a modern room.

Mixing & matching antiques in a sitting area

Mix it up

Antiques can provide a nice contrast to modern items and furniture. Getting the right balance of looks when using antiques in a modern home can be difficult for an amateur home designer. You should consider enlisting the help of a professional such as Shalini Misra who specialises in luxury interior design and can help you create a space that looks and feels balanced while also incorporating antiques.

Antique rug in a lounge area

Try an antique rug

Though you may have some antique items that you are already considering using in your space, using an antique rug can be a great way to start off and give your antique look a base to build from. Rugs offer a lot of versatility, and can bring colour and design to a space. They are also a great choice if you want to give a room an antique look without adding more furniture. Rugs are also quick and easy to clean, and you can remove them if you need to for parties.

Statement antique ceiling light

Antique lights can give you the look you want

Many modern lights are given an antique 'reproduction' look. You can give your spaces something more authentic by using antique lights and lamps in your home. Wall and floor lamps are fantastic accessories that will help fill your room with an antique look without overwhelming the space. You can even use antique styled modern bulbs to give your living room the amber glow of yesteryear.

Antique chair for restoration

Repair and renovate antiques

Many antique items are best left in their original condition, but with a little repair and renovation they may suit your space better. Damaged or broken antiques can be brought back to life by experts that can give an aged classic a new lease on life. This also gives you an opportunity to tweak them to suit your space. If you have an old chair or sofa, by reupholstering them with a more modern fabric or design, you can bring them up to date while retaining the classic look of their structure.

Antique armchair in front of a window

Conclusion

Fitting antiques into a home with modern designs may feel like an uphill struggle, but when done correctly, it can give your space a signature look that you won't find elsewhere. Hopefully these tips have given you the inspiration you need to get started and incorporate some antiques into your home.

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