No longer does vintage design signify a haggard country look, with antiques and overwhelming amounts of garish fabrics. Today, vintage style decorating uses items from the past to create a warm, inviting and nostalgic look. Vintage interiors are now combined with fresh choices for a feel that that is modern, yet full of charm.
If you’re ready for a change, and feel that your home would benefit from a vintage transformation, you may worry that you haven’t got the funds to complete the look. However, if you’re a budget-savvy design enthusiast and want to achieve the vintage look in your home, you can be frugal. Embrace budget buys and turn your home into a vintage delight with our top design tips:
1. Crates and Pallets
Rustic crates are an essential inexpensive accessory for vintage-inspired design. These can be used to create statement shelving in any room of the house. Simply stack in your bathroom to create a pretty space for towels and toiletries, or turn crates upright and place either side of your bed for bedside tables with complete vintage appeal. For larger spaces, such as you front room, you can arrange a shelving unit with small crates and large pallets. This will create a bold feature wall display, perfect for displaying family photos and quaint trinkets.
2. Old Ladders
Vintage ladders have many decorative uses, suspend an old ladder from the kitchen ceiling to create and interesting pot rack or balance against a wall as an adorable book shelf. Adding height and interest to a room, you can find a vintage-inspired ladders in most home and decor shops. However, you can greatly reduce the cost by creating your own vintage ladder. Simply source an unused wooden ladder for a small price and sand down until completely smooth. All you will need to do then is stain the wood in a dark walnut and apply a coat of finishing wax, or opt for a bright white wood paint to add a vintage touch.
3. Tips, Charity Shops and Reclamation Yards
Find inexpensive vintage treasures by visiting your local tips, charity shops and reclamation yards. Tips and charity shops are great for vintage design inspiration and are perfect for discovering vintage pieces, such as trinkets and ornaments that may otherwise be expensive to buy as brand new items. Reclamation yards are perfect for uncovering larger treasures, such as doors, desks and tables.
If you are looking for a focal point to the room and want a vintage centrepiece then look online for cast iron radiators, like those featured on the Coventry Demolition website. This way you can still have heating, combined with a vintage look.
4. Jars and Cans
Reuse your glass jars and cans to create unique, homemade vintage vases. These vintage accessories will cost you nothing and quickly add a touch of charm to your interior. Simply wash out your used jars and cans and once dry wrap twine or ribbon around the screw top of the jar or around the can to add an adorable touch. Fill with water and place a fresh bunch of bright flowers to add warmth to your home.
5. Vintage Storage Solution
This tip is great if you have any old leftover skirting boards or planks of wood at home. If not, then these can be found at the tip or your local builders merchants. If the wood you have sourced is already distressed then you can leave it, however if it is not then use a hammer and a screwdriver to damage it, creating a perfect vintage effect. Once this is complete, screw a variety of door knobs and hooks to the plank of wood, these can be found in all DIY stores for little cost. You can then nail the wood onto your wall. As a result, you'll have a vintage storage solution that is perfect for hanging coats and scarves in your hallway or jewellery in your bedroom.
Transforming your home to create a vintage look doesn't have to cost the earth. Soft colours, delicate patterns and savvy-shopping will bring instant vintage style to a home for less.
