Antique furniture is a lot different from the kind of furnishings you might pick up from your local retailer, in that they’re often unique, have a history to them, and may even have an incredible value that you won’t be aware of until you have them appraised. Now, antique-hunting is its own discipline, filled with people who boast much historical knowledge and insight, and who may be able to tell an item’s century and decade of manufacture just by the flourishing of its trimmings.
But if you just hope to decorate with your furniture, you don’t have to worry too much about all of this. Having items appraised, knowing the era they’re from, and paying a healthy respect to their preservation is all you really have to do. In this post, though, we’ll also teach you how to decorate with antique furniture using three worthwhile tips helpful to know.
This way, you can decorate to your heart’s content without worrying about damaging or misusing the piece, allowing an era of your home to influence the item’s story alongside you.
Consider Function & Exposure
Antiques may have a function, they’re not just decorative items. If you plan to use them for utility, it’s important to make sure those uses are properly considered. It may be that you have an old knitting wheel you love using, and as such preserve its wood and place it with confidence in the corner of your living space. In this way, you may also angle it so it’s no longer a trip hazard, or light the area so people know the item is worth to you. Little choices like this help your antique fair better in your home.
Antique Storytelling Within Your Space
How does the antique tell a story, and let its own story influence the rest of the design in your room? So for example, if you’re to create a home office dedicated to your interest in the world, you might use certain artifacts as pride of place on the shelves, like old hunting horns or a beautiful globe or atlas. These little things might be small, but they can show your interest in history, the world, and the origin of the item in question, while also appreciating their presence in your space. It’s little things like this that often make the most difference, and validate your nerdiest appreciation for antiques.
Careful Transportation
Ultimately, antiques can be fragile, even if they’ve withstood hundreds of years so far. This is why using pickup and delivery services to transport those cherished items with confidence is so important, as it prevents any nasty surprises that could have occurred during long-distance travel. After all, you may find antiques when on vacation and need them to be delivered home safely, or perhaps you’re moving and need your collection to be managed by safe hands. As such, this will always remain a worthwhile use of your time.
With this advice, you’re certain to think about decorating with antique furniture in the best possible light.
