23 Vintage Furniture Swaps to Refresh Your Home This Fall
Designers recommend vintage pieces to add a fresh touch to every room.
1The Importance of Vintage Furniture
According to designer Josh Greene, when everything in a room is new, it can feel less personal and more like a showroom. Vintage furniture can revitalize any space and is often as easy as a simple swap with a modern piece. AD100 designers share the vintage swaps they would make to create an inviting, layered, and fresh-faced home for fall.
2Vintage Touches for the Bedroom
AD100 designer Corey Damen Jenkins says the bedroom is where a single vintage piece can do the heaviest lifting. In his own New York apartment, he displays a 19th-century Federal-style bull's-eye mirror above the bed. Designer Young Huh notes that vintage nightstands are a great way to add charm and collected character to a bedroom.
3Setting the Mood with Vintage Furniture
Designer Mandy Cheng suggests looking for painted options for a more casual vibe or rich wood stains for added refinement. Sara Story mentions that vintage seating, particularly in wood or rattan, is an easy way to soften a room and add a sense of history. Strong silhouettes and quality joinery are key, as upholstery can always be refreshed.
4The Impact of Small Decorative Items
Corey Damen Jenkins recommends vintage mirrors, lamps, and small case pieces as entry points. Mandy Cheng advises using a vintage vessel with a plant for a unique juxtaposition of materials. These pieces add a layer of soul to the most personal room in the house.
5Personal Stories in the Living Room
Jessica Helgerson incorporated an heirloom Korean cabinet into a Korean-American client’s New York living room, adding history and depth to an otherwise modern space. Jenkins seeks out vintage seating with original upholstery, which taps into the revival of old-world trimmings in a chic way.
6The Significance of Vintage Lighting
Sara Story states that lighting is one of the most effective vintage swaps, as it creates an atmosphere. Josh Greene adds that a period chandelier or a pair of old lamps feels much more special than new production. Vintage lighting is essential for day-to-night gatherings.
7Vintage Touches in the Kitchen
Neal Beckstedt suggests using vintage cabinets, side tables, and plate racks in the kitchen. Decorative plates, folk sculptures, and art can give the kitchen as much style as the living room. Leonora Hamill displays a witty Italian sponge cake poster with beautiful old glass from a Milan flea market.
8The Future of Vintage Furniture
Jeremiah Brent says the dining room offers the widest range of creativity. Corey Damen Jenkins highlights that a vintage upholstered chair or sofa is the top swap for the living room this fall. Mark D. Sikes adds that English wood cabinets and dining tables evoke feelings of nostalgia and timelessness. Vintage furniture continues to add character and history to our homes.