Mixing Old and New Furniture: The Do’s and Don’ts.

As the old saying goes out with the old and in with the new. But, not so fast. There are a few old furniture pieces that are great to keep around. Many of them could possibly be antiques. Keeping these Furniture pieces around allows you to create an eclectic blend for your design space. 

Next time you consider chunking everything, reassess the furniture piece that you’re so anxious to get rid of. Try to think of a way to incorporate it into your new design space.

Mix and Match for Contrast

If you have an old piece of furniture you’ve been dying to get rid of, you may want to reconsider getting rid of that old piece of furniture. Mixing the old chair from your apartment with new modern styles of your new apartment may not be a bad idea.

The dos – It is okay to incorporate the old wingback chair from your old apartment into a room with modern design elements.

 The don’ts – Make sure you don’t incorporate too many of the older furniture items into a modern space. The point of mixing furniture pieces is to add contrast. If there are too many of the same style pieces, they tend to blend in instead of contrast.

Use Old Accent Pieces with New Furniture

Accent pieces can add wonderful charm and decorative elements to any space. If you have an old antique rug, use it to infuse an element of rustic charm with modern decor.

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The dos – Use the rustic charm of the rug to create contrast with your modern design pieces.

 The don’ts – Avoid having too many antique or rustic accent pieces incorporated into the design. That could overwhelm the space and defeats the purpose of blending old with new.

Use New Accent Pieces With Old Furniture.

This design trick is the exact opposite of the previous technique. Instead of mixing furniture pieces, you are simply adding new accents to create a new look.

The dos – Add over the top elements that are new. For example, if you want to combine an old furniture piece with newer accent pieces, make it an eye-catching and appealing design. In this case, more is more.

The don’ts – Don’t skimp on quality. If you’re going to do it, don’t be wimpy with it.

Don’t Let the Decor Theme Deter the Mix

Often, when we select a design theme for a room, it is hard for us to see beyond that theme. Don’t let the theme overpower your creativity. 

Mixing old and new furniture is an excellent way to create interest in your design space. That doesn’t mean every piece has to stay true to the theme.

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The dos – Combine a modern, streamlined element with an ornate feature. For example, combining a picture in a modern frame with the ornate detailing of a side table is a wonderful mix of styles.

The don’ts – Don’t pair an ornate bench with a baroque style frame. That can be boring.

Use Color to Blend Styles

Infusing color into a design space is an excellent way to create eye-catching appeal in a design space. The bold pops of color are great in bringing together different design styles. It is a unique way to blend old furniture pieces with new pieces.

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The dos – Use pops of color in accent pieces to create interest and appeal. Pairing accent pieces such as throw pillows, vases, or even pulling inspiration from a vividly painted work of art is an excellent way to incorporate color and mix the different styles of furniture.

The don’ts – Don’t go too far with the color. While color is good, too much of a good thing can be a bit overwhelming.

Mixing old and new furniture is not only a great way to blend different styles into one space. It is also an affordable way to infuse different design elements. 

Don’t just scrap all your old furniture and buy new ones. Instead, think about creating an eclectic design flow that can be just as charming and even more beautiful. 

Things like pairing a new accent furniture piece with your existing furniture could create a design element that is unique and charming. Anchoring your space with a new area rug while maintaining your old furniture pieces is also a wonderful way to blend new elements with old ones. No matter how you choose to incorporate the old with the new, it is important to create contrast in your design space.