How to Mix and Combine Vintage Interior Design Styles
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It can be really challenging to decorate your home if you have multiple interior design styles. Sometimes you feel like you have to choose one vibe for your home but it doesn’t feel right because you love a lot of different styles! Let’s figure out how you can mix your design interests to create a unique home that’s just right for you. Combining design styles can be done and I’ll share my best tips on how to do it well.
Discover what design styles make you happy
If you already know what you love then you can skip this step. If you have too many design interests or can’t figure out what you like at all, this is for you. The easiest way to know what design styles you like is to browse through Pinterest. Search for all different kinds of homes and start saving what you like. What ideas spark joy for you? Is color something you love? Do you enjoy moody and dark rooms? Maybe you love mid century modern and a boho home style. Pin your favorite things and step back to see what you’re enjoying the most.
Narrow down what you love
This can be a hard step if you love a ton of different design styles. Something that helps me a lot is to say, “I love that for someone else but not for me”. For instance, I love minimalist interiors but I know that doesn’t spark as much joy for me as a maximalist interior.
Trial and error phase
Let’s say you’ve narrowed yourself down to a few design styles. Speaking from personal experience mine were English cottage, colorful maximalist, farm house, eclectic and 1950s. I started searching at flea markets and picking out items that made me happy. Vintage tea cups for English cottage, tons of colorful books for maximalism, primitive items for farmhouse, weird pieces for eclectic and mid century modern furniture for 1950s.
I experimented putting these pieces together in my home and over time I figured out what items make me the happiest and what items didn’t spark as much joy. I quickly learned that farmhouse is not for me and I started getting rid of those items. I discovered that I’m in love with 1970s flower power items and let myself gravitate towards that. Before I knew it I was getting into everything 1970s like these groovy lucite grapes. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn about yourself!
Find the common factors in your favorite design styles
Now my favorite design styles are cottage, maximalism, eclectic, 1950s and 1970s. What things doing they have in common? Cottage style and 1970s both have lots of flowers so I focus on having a ton of flower patterns. Cottage style and the 1950s both have pastel color schemes. Maximalism and eclectic style go hand in hand. I’m not a big wood person so I completely eliminated that and focus exclusively on painted wood and color.
Don’t be afraid to mix different eras
You don’t have to have an exclusive 1950s type of home style. Personally I think choosing just one style or era can make it look like it belongs in a history book. Which is great if that’s what you want! But mixing styles creates a very unique home and a lived in feel. Since I love the 1950s and 1970s I know there’s lots of color in both eras. I’ll put a 1970s flower power pitcher next to a 1950s pink Pyrex and it looks great!
If you like a lot of different styles I hope this encourages you to make space for them all in your home! Have fun experimenting and learning what home vibes make you the happiest. If you still feel like you’re struggling with coming up with the right home style for you, let’s talk! I have vintage interior design consults that you can book with me and I’ll help you find solutions and get you in your perfectly decorated home in no time.
