Vintage Style: How to Bring Decades of Style into Any Home

Do you love the thrill of impeccable thrift store finds from eras long gone? Do you dream of an elegant, yet eclectic atmosphere? If so, Vintage style could be the perfect fit for you. With decades of inspiration to pull from, Vintage style captures a wide range of aesthetics and features. The unique style will help you create a thoughtful space of timeless pieces and personal expression.

Understanding Vintage Style 

While Vintage style pulls inspiration from decades of design techniques, it has roots in the 1940s and ‘50s. Many families faced economic struggles in the aftermath of WWII, so they turned to used and hand-me-down items to decorate their spaces. The result was decades of repurposing and creating interesting and beautiful spaces.

As Vintage style continues to evolve, it also draws inspiration from other aesthetics, ranging from the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and ‘30s to the Mid-Century Modern era of the mid-20th century.

Dorothy Draper

As one of the 20th century’s most notable interior designers, Dorothy Draper took a bold approach to design. Her use of punchy florals, rich greens and reds, and uniquely shaped furniture continues to influence Vintage designers today. Her creations ranged from relaxing residential interiors to opulent hotels and plazas.

Syrie Maugham

In the early 20th century, Syrie Maugham’s unique approach to design mixed traditional elegance with modern flair. She pioneered all-white interiors featuring limewashing, which creates a bright but perfectly worn appearance. Today’s Vintage designs often include limewashing on wooden dressers, shiplap walls, and stone fireplaces.

Notable features of Vintage interior design

While Vintage interior design includes many stylistic influences, including elegant, relaxed, and antique designs, some features consistently overlap.

Timeless pieces

Whether pieces are decades old or simply built to appear that way, Vintage designs stand the test of time, outliving trend cycles. The style often features timeless solid wood pieces, including tables, dressers, and bed frames. Upholstery on couches, headboards, and chairs is typically suede, velvet, or thick linen. Vintage designs are also intricately crafted, yet classic enough to fit in any home.

Soft or muted palettes with bold accents

The foundational colors of many Vintage-inspired homes are soft neutrals, which are versatile and timeless. These neutrals include beiges, whites, and grays. Some Vintage variations also include deep, muted colors, including dusty blues, burnt oranges, and earth-toned reds. Accent colors often include magenta, peacock blue, pastel greens, and pinks.

Intentional pattern placement

The use of patterns in Vintage style is strategic. Patterns are used in moderation, bringing visual interest to a space without overwhelming it. This approach creates an elegant and warm look. Vintage pattern design varies widely, ranging from geometric to floral to animal print. Designs often appear on throw pillows, accent rugs, and small wallpaper displays. Sometimes, artisans even carve patterns into wooden furniture and frames.

Adaptable designs

Vintage interiors pay homage to designs of the past while evolving to fit the needs of a modern home. Designers can also alter the style to suit the unique needs of each household. Basic Vintage elements, like patterns and soft colors, come alive with any variety of Vintage decorations, including large, ornate bookshelves and small, retro ottomans.

Ways to reach a unique Vintage look in your home

With Vintage pieces available at many local thrifts, the style offers an opportunity to design a home sustainably while creating intriguing spaces. Here are some simple pointers to achieve your own Vintage retreat.

Choose decor with personality and history

Vintage style is all about owning your individual aesthetic and displaying it through timeless pieces. When shopping, look for pieces from various decades that immediately draw you in. Consider ornate woodworking in cabinets and nightstands, find fun vintage rugs, and choose metal accent decor, such as candle holders and large wall art in gilded frames.

Try the 80/20 color technique

When designing a Vintage room, a good way to approach color is to use the 80/20 rule. With this method, 80% of the space is made up of soft neutrals or earthy tones, like a sandy beige. The remaining 20% includes pops of color — like patterned throw pillows or colorful wallpaper. This method offers a vibrant look that won’t pull focus from exquisite furnishings or funky decor.

Choose interesting accent patterns

When adding accents throughout your space, consider interesting patterns to spruce up the Vintage vibe. Look for throw pillows with floral fabric or rugs with Persian designs. Another way to bring patterns into your space is by featuring wallpaper on one accent wall. This approach will break up your wall color without overwhelming the classic appearance of the room.

Go for sturdy fabrics and materials

When hunting for the best furniture and decor for your space, opt for pieces that will be around for years (or even decades). Many vintage pieces are made from durable materials like solid wood, thick linen, and rich velvet. If you’re purchasing a new piece of furniture with Vintage-inspired looks, go for pieces that use the same strong materials as the classics.

Find your home’s perfect Vintage Design with Onton

Create the Vintage retreat of your dreams using Onton for endless inspiration.

Onton Discover

Find fresh ideas with Onton Discover. Explore dozens of user-generated images to kickstart your Vintage design journey.

Onton Imagine

Get a glimpse of Vintage style in your own home with Onton Imagine. First, take a picture of your space and upload it. Then, select the room type and “Vintage” from the style dropdown. From there, enter any ideas you’d like to visualize into the prompt area.

Don’t have an image of your space? Let Onton generate a preset room to get the process started.

Onton Search

Now that you have the vision, use Onton Search to locate beautiful bookshelves or gilded artwork. Curate Collections of all your favorite pieces, then make purchases whenever the time is right.

Try Onton for free today and explore a world of Vintage design possibilities!