Exploring Vintage and Retro Furniture Styles: Adding Character to Your Home
We all find ourselves slowly incline towards vintage collections from time to time and there is no doubt why the proverb ‘Old is Gold’ is so commonly used. India is home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, nothing has been built in the years after to match the beauty and intricate design of it. This is why timeless pieces from the past are retained for future generations to appreciate it. Styles that were once termed ‘outdated’ are making a comeback in most industries. When a piece of furniture is passed down in a family, it is not just an object that is kept to beautify the house but with it comes a bag full of memories and sentiments. Vintage furniture passed down from your ancestors will give you an idea of how their surroundings were. The furniture you choose talks about your personality and your preferences.
If you are a hopeless romantic, you are sure to fall in love with the aesthetic of the classic romcoms in the early 2000s and the 90s, which consists of pastel colours, distressed furniture, and floral patterns which emit charm. When you hear retro furniture designs, the picture of an old rustic house might come to your mind but that is not all that retro is about. Vintage furniture design is not just nostalgic but also aesthetically pleasing if you choose the right ones from the grand and luxurious styles from the Victorian era to the minimalistic and functional vintage furniture. There are various retro furniture styles that you can take inspiration from to design your space according to your taste and preferences.
Different vintage furniture designs and retro furniture styles
▪ Victorian
Victorian style of furniture was popular during the 1800s which is now a luxurious style of vintage furniture. This style emerged during the reign of Queen Victoria. This retro furniture style uses dark woods like, rosewood, walnut, and mahogany and has intricate designs carved on it. This went along with heavy thick fabric, like velvet and woven fabrics. This style is preferred by people with luxurious taste and is a great fit for retro-style living room furniture. Antique furniture feet styles are commonly used in sofa sets, tables, chairs, etc. in this retro furniture style.
▪ Art Deco
This style is also called Art Moderne, it was adopted as a dominant style in the United States and parts of Europe in the 1930s. This vintage furniture design was fashionable and portrayed modernism during the time. The features of this style included simple and clean shapes, with a streamlined look which were usually made with expensive materials. This style is now popular and used as inspiration in decorative art, jewellery designs, and fashion.
▪ Scandinavian
The Scandinavian design consists of countries including Denmark, Sweden, and Norway and it originated in the 1950s. It was very different from the designs prevailing in that period. This design was described as minimal and highly functional. This did not need any heavy elements to be equipped but only what is required. After the 2nd World War, this design was referred to as a democratic design which was accessible and affordable by the common people too. This is one of the vintage furniture designs that still stands relevant in today’s trends in terms of its utility.
▪ Mid-century modern
This style of furnishing was predominantly used in the mid-20th century. These pieces focused more on functionality and were easy on the eye. Vintage furniture in this style was made of wood namely teak and was curved in shape. Bright accent colours are utilized to set itself apart from the traditional modern design which is more neutral.
▪ Retro pop
This is one of the retro furniture styles that added a lot more colour and vibrance to its look. Retro-pop gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. This included sofa sets with funky psychedelic prints or bold colours that grab your attention, and statement lighting pieces like lava lamps added some colour to the space.
Something that you might think is out of fashion today, might be THE trend in the future, so do not discard those articles and keep it for your future generations to admire. You can add retro-style garden furniture to give your garden a timeless look. Explore the different styles of furniture to suit your liking on LookingGoodFurniture
