Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

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Lang’s Kitchen & Bath’s website. All views expressed are those of the author.

People have always merged different design styles to elevate indoor spaces. But it takes a special eye to successfully fuse two aesthetics as different as vintage and modernity.

These two contrasting styles have unique associations, which make them complement each other in unusual ways—at least when done right. Use these ideas to create the ideal vintage and modern mix that will transform your home.

THE KEY TO PERFECT PAIRINGS

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a professional interior designer or home stylist to balance these two seemingly opposing styles in the same home. By selecting the right furniture and fixtures, you can create a timeless home aesthetic with the best of both worlds.

The antique charm of vintage styles paired with the sleek sophistication of contemporary and modern designs could be the key to unlocking your dream home atmosphere, and here’s how.

12 EXAMPLES OF PAIRING VINTAGE AND MODERN DESIGN THAT ANYONE CAN ACHIEVE

Whether you’re an experienced home decorator or are just beginning to hone your interior design skills, gathering inspiration is always a good idea.

This is especially true when combining two different styles. Here are some of our top recommendations for pairing vintage and modern design:

1. Sophisticated vintage cupboard handles & modern cabinets

When designing your pantry or kitchen, it’s easy to want to choose one singular theme. But design is so much more versatile and exciting than that.

Spruce up your painted or stained cupboards by pairing chic, modern cabinets with beautiful vintage cupboard handles for a detailed touch. You can complement clean lines with more ornate vintage handles or knobs in brass, pewter, or even wrought iron to create a striking old-meets-new look.

2. Plush vintage rug & cool modern sofa

Vintage rugs are a great way to add warmth and intricacy to your bedroom or living room. A plush, detailed, or ornately vintage patterned rug can pair beautifully with a cool, sleek, modern sofa with firm edges and a minimalistic texture.

As long as the colors complement one another, the visual result can be mesmerizing. If you want to add even more vintage texture, consider layering your rugs for maximum impact.

3. Polished vintage table & edgy modern light fixtures

Investing in antique, vintage furniture is always a good idea, especially when it comes to dining room tables. A polished wooden antique table made from mahogany or oak would look stunning below a more edgy modern light fixture to illuminate it from above. Angular pendants and exposed bulbs bring this idea to life.

4. Rustic vintage taps & contemporary tiles

Taps and tiles are two things you should never underestimate when it comes to the overall look, feel, and atmosphere of an interior—whether it’s in the powder room, kitchen, or bathroom.

The combination of rustic-styled vintage taps and sleek, chic contemporary tiles is a timeless one that can be applied to many different types of rooms. Use the clean lines of modern tiles to enhance the more obscure beauty of vintage taps and faucets.

5. Ornate vintage frame & contemporary modern art

This one can be tricky to pull off without a fair degree of knowledge of fine art, but if you know what you’re doing, the results are well worth the effort.

Pairing a simple but striking piece of modern art with an ornate vintage frame can create a compelling contrast in any home interior that turns guests’ heads and inspires creativity from all angles.

6. Detailed vintage chandelier & modern living rooms

Vintage light fixtures are timeless and can suit modern living rooms very well when positioned correctly. A chandelier is a detailed and attention-grabbing light fixture that pairs beautifully with a classically styled modern living room, complete with block-ish shapes, curved edges, and neutral tones.

You can opt for a classic crystal chandelier, or one with plenty of filigree, bronze or black ironwork, or silver.

7. Antique kitchenware & modern kitchen appliances

The kitchen is one of the best places to create depth and dimension through contrasting design styles.

Antique kitchenware such as pots, pans, bowls, and large utensils can become utterly charming when paired with more modern kitchen equipment and appliances. You can also extend this idea beyond cooking appliances and equipment to complement other parts of your kitchen.

If you belong to a wine club, you can incorporate a wooden vintage-style wine rack to display your bottles next to a sleek silver fridge. Or you can decant your spices into vintage-style jars and place them on a rack next to your modern range to create a complementary look that surpasses trends and fads.

8. Rustic vintage bathtub & sleek bathroom

Bathrooms and powder rooms are another great place for pairing vintage and modern designs. A sleek bathroom environment fixed with contemporary faucets and glass can look gorgeous when wrapped around an antique bathtub (think brassy ball-and-claw feet) for bathroom bliss everyone can appreciate.

9. Elegant vintage cutlery & luxury modern crockery

Coming back to the kitchen, why stop at the equipment and appliances? Cutlery and crockery both play a big role in the living, eating, and dining experiences of any home, and taking the opportunity to merge different design styles can pay off when paired correctly.

Choose copper and brass-toned vintage cutlery alongside luxurious modern crockery for a balanced mealtime feel that contributes to the overall balance of the home.

10. Brassy vintage kitchen taps & modern sink ware

Take kitchen aesthetics even further by adding brassy, warm-metal kitchen taps that look striking and beautiful atop modern sink ware. Marble countertops, chic, smooth surfaces, and a bold but understated sink all pair wonderfully with more classic faucet shapes that showcase the luxury of a home.

11. Vintage showerhead & modern shower glass

When it comes to bathroom design, a monumental shower is timeless. But you can elevate yours even further by choosing an ornate, vintage-style shower head and taps to go alongside a modern glass structure. This can create a balanced sense of aesthetics in any chic bathroom environment.

12. Vintage upholstery & modern furniture

In terms of furniture, you can’t go wrong by combining the beauty and timeless luxury of a classic fabric to upholster a modern piece of furniture. Velvet armchairs, corduroy sofas, aged leather, and embroidered fabrics are all good options.

Thanks to the rising popularity of merged aesthetics, furniture in contemporary and vintage styles is easy to find. Use it to make your living spaces more dynamic and memorable.

CREATE DESIGN PAIRINGS THAT ENHANCE YOUR HOME

Generally speaking, the balance between vintage and modern home design styles is best achieved through carefully assigned contrast. Modern, contemporary elements tend to work best for the layout, infrastructure, and atmospheric choices, while vintage elements work best as featured pieces.

It’s important to choose these elements intentionally and pay attention to how their unique colors, patterns, and textures communicate with each other.

You’re not trying to create design chaos or conflict – you’re aiming for tasteful contrast and dimension. Use these vintage and modern design pairing ideas to make your home a more dynamic and creative space to live in.