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Home » Decorating with Antiques

June 7, 2022

Decorating with Antiques

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Decorating with Antiques adds warmth & coziness to any space in your home. Antiques also give it that added unique charm that tells a story.

A 100 year old secretary desk modest in details that sits against a wall  with a milk glass lamp that sits ona two books, a small jar with potho leaves propagating, a decorative pot with a ptho plant, milk glass vase, small green fenton votive holder and a candle snuffer that sits on top of the secraretary desk.

If you have been following me for a while now, you know that I love Decorating with Antiques and have a love for them. I have always been intrigued by the charm & history of antiques. Maybe it’s the stories behind them, I don’t know, but I do know that adding them into my home creates a sense of nostalgia.

A variety of books in a  bookcase with a few miscellaneous decor items such as a candle holder, decorative plate & a antique magnifying glass.

Sometimes I browse an antique store and find something that just speaks to me, and I have to have it. Most times, I am very intentional when I am antiquing. But, still, I have found myself upon something so unique and beautiful that I know it would be perfect in my home. But then there are times I will see something that I think is neat or interesting and stand there looking at the antique, thinking, where can I display this, where can it go. 

Know your Antiques

It is important to know what you have. Whether you keep a list of each item or have a memory, you may want to have it insured. There are also some antiques that you may want to get appraised for insurance purposes. Contact your insurance agent if you are unsure if the antique you have on hand is worth getting insured.

An a antique china cabinet with a large display of blue & white & white dishes.

Mix the old with the new

When adding antiques to your home decor, it adds interest. Adding a piece or two adds a story to your decor. Whether it be a family heirloom or an antique you found during your travels. I have inherited many family heirlooms that have been passed around my family. I find placing them throughout my house makes it stand out more than being displayed in one room. 

A Statement Piece

Do you have an antique that you just love and want to display? Then, make a statement by showcasing your home decor. However, you do not need to showcase every antique piece of furniture. Having it placed subtly is enough to add visual interest.

a basket that holds a lit oil lamp, small box & a plant.

How to Decorate with Antiques

You want to focus on the piece itself and not the value. Will the antique work into your decor? Is it a piece that you find joy in or love? 

A dining room that is filled with furniture such as a dining room, secretary desk, colorful knitting box, plate rack that holds platters on the wall & a table that holds several pieces of decor including a plant.

I find that adding antiques for visual interest can work no matter what your decor style is. Mixing textures such as linens, wood, metal, lamps, and furniture pieces will add personality to any space in your home.

An antique armoire in a bedroom with a large basket of quilts that sits on tp next to a blue bed table with a vintage alarm clock & lantern lamp.

While adding furniture pieces to maximize storage, it also adds warmth and charm. For example, using an antique icebox in the living room serves as an end table and also a liquor cabinet. Still, an antique & for intentional use.

An antique ice box, with a lamp & a very large snake plant in a large palter that sits in a square wicker basket.

Don’t limit the spaces in your home where you can add antiques. There is at least one antique in every room of my home, whether it is a family heirloom or antiques I have purchased over the years. Decorating with Antiques is a beautiful way to give your home character and unique style.

How to combine different styles with Antiques?

Decorating with antiques is an easy way to mix with other Decorating styles. For instance, when adding an antique, a magnifying glass is not only a visual statement but an excellent conversation piece. 

How do you know if an item is an antique?

Antiques are items that must be at least 100 years old to be considered an antique. Anything less than that is deemed to be vintage.

Where can I get Antiques?

Always check out your local thrift stores first. I have luck a few times and scored some great items. If you fail, you can always go to your local antique shops, but more than likely, they are retail price unless you know what you are looking for and what the value is. You may also have luck at estate sales and even online such as on eBay. I have scored a few items from eBay for reasonable prices. The bottom line is always to be on the hunt. You never know what you are going to find. Another tip I will share is if you have some antiques you want, create a list so that when you are out & about, you know exactly what to look for.

When looking for antiques, I want them to have character and a story to tell.

Here is a bonus, I am sharing 8 design tips for decorating with antiques to help you get started!

8 Design Tips for Decorating with Antiques

  1. Bring in antiques to lift a room. 
  2. Do not be afraid to mix decor styles with antiques.
  3. Be careful about painting an antique; once painted, it is no longer an antique.
  4. When it comes to restoration, leave as much of the original piece intact as possible.
  5. Re-upholstering antiques if needed. 
  6. Focus on the piece itself and not the value.
  7. Use antiques as accent pieces for visual interest.
  8. Carefully curated, so you don’t make the room dated.

Do you decorate with antiques? Let me know what’s your favorite in the comments!

Name image for Dusty at Linen and WildflowersIf you want to follow along on our home restoration/renovation plans and all of our exciting antique & thrift finds, be sure to check out Linen and Wildflowers on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.

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Filed Under: All Home, Antique Furniture, Antiques & Vintage Finds

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherry says

    June 7, 2022 at 9:15 am

    Wish I had your eye! I definitely don’t have a knack for that.

    Reply
    • Dusty Heschl says

      June 7, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      awww, you are so sweet. Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  2. Tessa says

    June 7, 2022 at 11:40 am

    I love that each antique has a story to tell. If only wood and glass could talk!

    Reply
    • Dusty Heschl says

      June 7, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      haha I so agree with you 🙂

      Reply
  3. Mark says

    June 7, 2022 at 2:11 pm

    Maybe you love them so much because they remind us all of simpler times. I know that is why I love them so much. And I love the way you display them. How does your husband feel about them?

    Reply
  4. Patrick says

    June 7, 2022 at 2:51 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this style of decorating!

    Reply
    • Dusty Heschl says

      June 7, 2022 at 2:56 pm

      Thank you so much, Patrick! It’s definitely is my favorite 🙂

      Reply
  5. Maggie says

    June 7, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    I adore antiques! There were so many lovely pieces displayed in this post. Thanks for sharing your tips!

    Reply
    • Dusty Heschl says

      June 7, 2022 at 3:34 pm

      Me too as you can see. Thank you so much for your sweet comment!

      Reply
  6. Charlene says

    June 7, 2022 at 8:35 pm

    I learned something new – the difference between antique and vintage! We love shopping at antique stores. Thanks for the great tips!

    Reply
    • Dusty Heschl says

      June 21, 2022 at 11:24 am

      You are very welcome!

      Reply
  7. Leigh says

    June 8, 2022 at 4:03 pm

    These look awesome! Maybe some day my house won’t look like a locker room and vets office and I can do this!

    Reply
    • Dusty Heschl says

      June 21, 2022 at 11:24 am

      haha, good luck, you got this!

      Reply

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Dusty is a photographer & blogger, when not capturing beautiful clients, she is sharing her home restoration/renovations & shares some of her favorite finds at antique & thrift stores to decorate her home on a budget. Read More…

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