Brand new interiors with all the new furniture often lack something special: history, character, personality, spirit. In such cases adding items with their own story is a good idea as they make these spaces more eye-catchy and unique. Antique chairs are right such pieces: they bring a vintage feel, they bring some story and a touch of the era when they were created. But how to incorporate them right so that they didn’t seem alien? Here are some ideas.
What Chairs Can Be Called Antique?
The common definition of antique furniture is furniture that is more than 100 years old. Anything more than 20 years old but less than 100 is usually considered vintage. So if you want to get some antique chairs, consider something older than 100 years.
a beautiful vintage-infused living room with a neutral sofa, an antique white chair, a leather ottoman, a zebra print rug and a grid gallery wall
a bold living room with a navy sofa, a black coffee table, a neutral and an antique printed chair, a printed rug is cool
a bright living room with a bold and statement artwork, a gold vintage sofa, some glass tables and an antique chair redone with UK flag fabric
a catchy and refined living room with blue walls, a non-working fireplace, an oval table and antique chairs, a large crystal chandelier
a catchy and refined space with a canopy daybed, a couple of chic marble tables, an antique chair and a Christmas tree with ribbons
a catchy dining room with a vintage table, antique chairs that feature new back upholstery and a crystal chandelier
a chic neutral living room with a statement artwork, a creamy sofa, a creamy antique chaira woven bench and a neutral rug
a chic working space with a dark-stained desk and an antique chair, a grey one, a vintage chandelier and some vintage art
a cihc entryway with a vintage stained table, antique chairs, a round mirror in a gold frame and vintage sconces
a contemporary black and white bedroom with black walls, a white upholstered bed, a white desk, a neutral antique chair and a panoramic window with a gorgeous view
Where To Place Antique Chairs?
Very light and leggy chairs should be placed next to items with more mass so that the room doesn’t feel nervy and uncomfortable. If you have really dark and heavy antique chairs, place them next to something lighter.
a country style dining room with a vintage stained table, some matching chairs, an antique green chair and a black bench
a couple of gorgeous blue antique chairs and a matching round storage table plus a vintage crystal lamp
a cozy working space with a bookcase that takes a whole wall, a white desk and light green chairs, white pendant lamps
a large round table and dark-stained antique ones in a light-filled sunroom thta is a dining space
a mint green cottage bathroom with a vintage bathtub, a neutral antique chair, a side table with decor
a modern farmhouse kitchen with graphite grey cabinets, a vintage dark-stained table and an antique chair, stylish modern chairs
a neutral Parisian living room with a fireplace clad with marble, an antique neutral chair, some antique tables and a crystal chandelier
a neutral refined space with an inlay console table, an upholstered bench, a neutral antique chair and some table lamps
a refined living room with blue walls, a non-working fireplace, neutral seating furniture, antique chairs, a chic gilded chandelier
a refined nook with a dark-stained round table and a chic antique chair with printed upholstery, some books and greenery
How To Renovate Antique Chairs?
While nothing beats the rich patina of a quality antique or vintage piece in terms of aesthetics and value, the truth is that not all antiques are valuable or need to be preserved in their original state. Take a step back and imagine how this chair would look stripped to its bones, refinished, or transformed with a brand new coat of paint. New materials can go a long way towards adding contemporary comfort.
a refined space in white with black furniture for a stark contrast, a black console table, a black antique chair and a large floor mirror in a mirrored frame
a relaxing grey and blue bedroom with printed wallpaper, a bed with a canopy, an antique printed chair and a gallery wall
a Scandinavian living room with a white sofa, a stained coffee table, an antique purple chair as a color accent and some gorgeous art on the wall
a small and refined dining space by the window, with a dakr-stained round table, antique chairs, a pendant lamp and a gallery wall
a sophisticated dining space with striped walls, a round table and vintage chairs, a black chandelier and some art
a sophisticated interior with a French fireplace, a blue sofa, a refined antique chair and a sideboard, books and art
a sophisticated living room with grey walls, a fireplace, an upholstered ottoman, vintage chairs and a large printed rug
a sophisticated pastel space with an impressionalist artwork, a neutral sofa, an antique lilac chair, green stools and a dark-stained table
a stylish living room with a rust-colored sofa, a coffee table, a green antique chair, a printed rug and a print gallery wall
a vintage working nook with a statement print, a vintage black and gold desk, an antique navy and gold chair and a matching table lamp
How To Integrate Antique Chairs Into Interiors?
One of the challenges of mixing old and new pieces is figuring out how to make the mix of periods and styles work together while retaining an overall sense of cohesion. Even the most eclectic interiors need balance and harmony. While mixing wood finishes and metals is an art in itself, sometimes the easiest way to integrate disparate elements is to unite them using the same color palette.
If you are looking to create maximum impact in a modern room with an antique piece, go bold with a large-scale statement chair. Make it functional and appropriate for modern lifestyles by painting, refinishing, refurbishing interiors, or adding upholstery to an antique bed frame or armchair to bring it a sense of modern comfort.
a relaxing grey and blue bedroom with printed wallpaper, a bed with a canopy, an antique printed chair and a gallery wall
a Scandinavian living room with a white sofa, a stained coffee table, an antique purple chair as a color accent and some gorgeous art on the wall
a small and refined dining space by the window, with a dakr-stained round table, antique chairs, a pendant lamp and a gallery wall
a sophisticated dining space with striped walls, a round table and vintage chairs, a black chandelier and some art
a sophisticated interior with a French fireplace, a blue sofa, a refined antique chair and a sideboard, books and art
a sophisticated living room with grey walls, a fireplace, an upholstered ottoman, vintage chairs and a large printed rug
a sophisticated pastel space with an impressionalist artwork, a neutral sofa, an antique lilac chair, green stools and a dark-stained table
a stylish living room with a rust-colored sofa, a coffee table, a green antique chair, a printed rug and a print gallery wall
a vintage working nook with a statement print, a vintage black and gold desk, an antique navy and gold chair and a matching table lamp
an airy dining room with a round table, antique chairs with floral upholstery and a yellow pendant lamp is a lovely and cozy space
an airy refined living room with a lilac antique chair, a statement artwork, a dark rug and a glass coffee table with decor and flowers
an antique nook with a stained dresser, some artwork and mirrors, a black antique chair, a black table lamp and a leopard print pillow
an eclectic bedroom with a stained carved wooden desk, an antique black chair, a gallery wall and a printed rug
an eclectic living room with a black non-working fireplace, built-in bookshelves, a series of mirrors and an antique chair redone with polka dot upholstery
an eclectic living room with a non-working fireplace, a leather sofa, a table, a blue antique chair and a modern green one
an elegant and refined bedroom with a bed with neutral bedding, a couple of antique pink chairs, a dark-stained desk and a crystal chandelier
an elegant living room with a large fireplace, a neutral sofa, blue antique chairs, tall windows with creamy curtains and artwork
an elegant moody living room with green walls, a glossy black credenza, a green antique chair with a modern touch and an elegant glass side table
an exquisite dining room with a black glass buffet, a vintage black table, green antique chairs and a cool chandelier
an exquisite entryway with an oversized mirror, a vintage console table, an antique chair is a stylish and chic space