Bedrooms can be decorated and designed in nearly any style—from boho to French farmhouse to minimalist. But sometimes, what's worked before is best. In those cases, add a little vintage style to your bedroom—it's easy to do, and it's easy to make uniquely you.
Vintage style can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people (and that's okay!) So, to help you decide what vintage style will look like in your bedroom, we've rounded up a few of our favorite vintage bedroom ideas. Keep reading to make your bedroom a historic and relaxing retreat.
Built-ins are a classic feature in many historic homes, especially ones built before the mid-century. If you don't already have built-ins in your bedroom, they're a great thing to add. A built-in bookshelf or window seat will often do the trick, but if you want to go all-in, consider built-in bunk beds.
Sure, you don't really need a chandelier in the bedroom. But don't you want one? A chandelier provides plenty of luxury and elegance to any space, the bedroom included. For a vintage look, try to source an antique chandelier. But to make sure your bedroom doesn't look too gaudy, keep the chandelier the focus of the room and have other elements look more toned-down.
It's important to remember that vintage style doesn't equal boring color. Bright and bold color has a home in many a vintage bedroom, especially mid century-esque ones. But to make an unusual color pairing work best, look for a vintage piece with a bold color and use it as the color palette of your space.
Looking for a lighting pick with an easy vintage feel? Install some brass (or brass finish) lighting fixtures. The light constructed from durable steel with a brass finish and a white linen shade, it is designed to complement a wide range of decor.
If you're lucky enough to live in a historic home, you may have a few equally historic windows installed too (bonus points for leaded or stained glass). So, when it comes to designing your bedroom, take inspiration from its windows. This can mean making them the centerpiece of your vintage bedroom, or using its colors or patterns elsewhere in your space.
Elegant and rich velvet can make a room feel delightfully dated. Velvet headboards, though a splurge, add a lush history to a bedroom, and the vintage look is amplified even more if the velvet is studded with brass buttons. The velvet bed frame adds a Regency-era touch without taking over the bedroom entirely.
One of the easiest ways to add a vintage feeling to your bedroom is by adding vintage furniture. And one of the easiest (and low-cost) ways to find said vintage furniture is at the humble thrift store. Though it may require some searching, scouring, and cleaning, you may be rewarded with an affordable diamond in the rough.
One of the best ways to make a vintage look in the bedroom feel unique to you and your style is through décor. And when it comes to vintage décor, there are plenty of options. Candle holders, frames, lighting, and antique books...the list can go on and on. But placing candle holders in the bedroom creates a cozy ambiance, enhances relaxation with soft lighting and aromatherapy, and adds elegant decor, making the space more inviting and romantic.
Nightstands have been a bedroom staple for a long time, and there are antique ones available from many a decade that prove it. A set of matching antique nightstands is a fantastic addition to your bedroom, providing character, tying a space together, and bringing in a healthy amount of vintage style.
Some historic homes still feature the beams they were built with. If you're living in a home like that, or one has similar exposed wood elements, don't try to cover it up. Instead, make it an eye-catching feature of your vintage bedroom by using color and furniture in a way that shows it off, rather than detracting from it.
How your walls look is a big part of how your bedroom looks. Especially if you're trying to create a bedroom that's vintage-inspired. So, take advantage of this valuable "real estate" by hanging wallpaper with a vintage or historic pattern—it will make a big statement that's hard to overlook, like the bedroom above.
