Looking to buy vintage homewares? Not everything in the home needs to be brand new and by introducing reclaimed furniture into the mix you can create a unique and eclectic scheme that tells a stylish story. From colourful kitchen storage jars bursting with retro pattern to antique bathtubs full of texture and character, check out these original vintage homewares and where you can get hold of similar.
Bedspreads and comforters filled with soft, light and insulating eiderdown feathers were extremely popular before central heating became mainstream. Their high-quality and handmade nature means they were often passed from generation to generation. Delicate fabrics and pretty stitching, like this vintage paisley printed quilt from Apple Barn Vintage, make them an asset to any country-style bedroom scheme.
Similar vintage eiderdown, £185 ($239.29), BurnhamAntiques at Etsy
A large-scale floor lamp will add stylish task lighting and turn your living room into an effortlessly stylish space. Look out for brands such as Arco for '60s chic. This beautiful teak floor lamp from the '70s has a minimalist form, which would appeal to fans of Danish design.
Vintage 1970s floor lamp, £1,088.77 ($1,407.34), NUKODesign / Etsy
An antique chaise longue will add glamour and opulence to your room. This mid-19 century chaise on ebonised legs has been reupholstered and now looks even more stylish and exclusive. Or bring the look forward to the mid-20th century and upgrade to a minimalist daybed.
Mid-19 century chaise longue, £1,250 ($1,613), The French House
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Upgrade your dining space with a vintage dining table. Made by G Plan, this 1960s style is known as the Helicopter table and is made out of teak and teak veneer with beech legs and base. Pair with mix and match G Plan chairs, for that truly retro vibe, and make sure your guests use coasters to protect the wood!
1960s Helicopter table, £1,500 ($1,936), RetroCactusFurniture at Etsy
Enamel bucket sinks add an industrial edge to quirky bathroom schemes. Their robust design was originally meant for more commercial environments so will provide a sturdy and practical washing facility in bathrooms or utility rooms. Look for versions with the original black rubber trim for full authenticity.
Similar enamel bucket sink, £185 ($239.17), Labour and Wait or visit Hungry Antiques at Etsy for a full vintage stock.
Wooden furniture originating from the '40s or '50s can look stunning personalised with chalk paint. This mid-century dressing table by Avalon has been thoroughly sanded before being primed then painted in Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball. Featuring a removable mirror, it's a beautifully restored piece.
Mid-century dressing table with drawers, £360 ($464.15), Vinterior
Roll top baths are the epitome of bathroom luxury so what better way to create the washroom of your dreams than with a stand-alone original cast iron tub? Whether you want to embrace the aged look or have it restored and repainted in an on-trend hue, a vintage roll top bathtub will create a stunning focal point full of character.
Shop a range of similar Victorian cast iron baths at Antique Baths
Mid-century seating is highly collectable as it creates an instantly stylish look. These industrial-style chairs are made by Sebel, the historic furniture company who first designed the Stak-a-Bye chair. The combination of shape, colour and texture has a timeless appeal.
Industrial metal and canvas Nest-a-Bye chairs, £70 ($90.65) each, The Old Cinema
Vintage wooden apple boxes can look beautiful in country schemes. They are incredibly versatile and make many rustic storage solutions such as fruit and vegetable storage in the kitchen, shoe storage in the hallway or interesting box storage on plain walls. Look out for ones that have been treated and still have various degrees of origin print that adds to their historical character.
Vintage apple crates, £38 ($49.20) each, Not On The High Street
If you don't have the budget for large pieces of vintage furniture look out for ways to accessorise your home with smaller statement pieces. This rotary dial phone not only looks the part but it's been lovingly restored so is now in full working order too. With text messages and email being such a big part of our lives, this will bring a nostalgic nod to the past that is sure to turn heads.
Original vintage restored telephone, £105 ($135.89), Not On The High Street
Add a burst of colour to your room scheme with innovative storage pieces that still look contemporary today. These Tomotom side tables by Hull Traders have the hallmark of the iconic Kartell Componibili designs and will look the part in both retro and modern schemes. The circular shape and striking colours make them fun side tables in children's bedrooms or striking décor pieces in the living room.
Hull Traders Tomotom side tables, £195 each ($252.54), Vinterior
With technology moving so fast you don't need to go back too far in time to find audio systems that to most are now obsolete. From an antique wartime wireless to a more funky 1960s HMV radiogram, a vintage music system that has been lovingly restored can become a treasured possession that looks as impressive as it sounds. Some have been upgraded with modern gadgets like bluetooth speakers or MP3 players.
Similar 1960s Kolster Brandes Gavotte RB10 radio active bluetooth speaker, £120 ($155.30), Vinterior
The '60s was a time of bold pattern and bright colour, so any vintage items from that era will bring a smile to any scheme. Look out for rainbow bright pieces to jazz up a dark corner like this lovely selection of ceramic storage jars by Crown Devon, which will make any kitchen pop.
Vintage 1960s Crown Devon ceramic jars and wooden lids, £15 ($19.40), Pineapple Retro
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Probably one of the easiest vintage homewares to find, vintage tea sets have dainty designs and affordable prices. And the beauty of this kind of delicate Victorian china is that the more mix and match they are in your display cupboard the better they look. Good brands to look out for are Royal Doulton, Limoges or Wedgewood.
Mix and match a vintage tea set, Ruby Tuesdays Vintage Home
Learn the true art of display with vintage homewares. Tie objects together from all eras with a running theme like blousy roses, then pick out the hues with interesting shapes and illustrative art. Here a rose pattern tray and petite rose oil canvas are displayed perfectly with an amber glass pitcher. The sky blue enamel dish and little bird print reflect a sense of true nostalgia in this charming mantel tableau.
Similar vintage display pieces, The OK Corral
A good quality antique sofa will look better with age and so will give your living room historical, vintage character instantly. Look for reupholstery ideas that will embrace its authenticity yet incorporate the piece into modern-day living. This striking wing back settee sits on the same ball and claw feet it's always had but is upholstered in a combination of new luxurious gold velvet and its original jacquard tapestry fabric.
Grand country house wing back settee, contact Howe for details
An antique bed will make a luxurious vintage focal point to a bedroom scheme. Before you buy be sure it is suitable for sleeping; it will probably have had a new base. This Louis XVI wooden frame still has its faded but original blue-grey paint that adds to the charm. The golden yellow upholstery is a fresh update that suits the look perfectly.
Louis XVI double bed, contact Howe for details
Vintage rugs make a great addition to a room scheme as it is very hard to come across more than one the same. They have probably been made with materials that are meant to stand the test of time and be cleaned over and over. The Vintage Rug Shop sources antique rugs from all over the world including Turkey and Morocco; countries renowned for rug making. Alternatively try Etsy, eBay or EBTH for unique steals.
Similar vintage rugs, The Vintage Rug Shop
Add character to your walls with a display of vintage artwork. Create a truly eclectic gallery by mixing and matching art, posters and photographs in vintage frames or use wooden rods in a roll-down map style.
Roll down Budapest poster, £123.11 ($158.85), Etsy
Drinks trolleys have made an on-trend rival in the past couple of years and so what could be better than a genuine article that looks as though it has been rolled straight from one of Gatsby's cocktail parties? Look out for opulent and curvy styles that have an Art Deco vibe.
Shop a range of drinks trolleys at Mustard Vintage
Wood-framed occasional chairs are iconic to the mid-century era and look striking as a stand-alone feature or as a pair. G Plan or Ercol are probably the most famous and iconic brands to hunt for, but you'll pay more for the designer status.
Keep a look out for lounge chairs at Mustard Vintage
Signage taken from commercial properties of the past makes intriguing artwork for walls; the more weathered the better. Typographic pieces that pay homage to particular rooms in your housework especially well. For instance, Bathhouse signs look the part in a bathroom or this 'no smoking' sign would look apt in a hallway.
No smoking sign, £75 ($96.73), Rag & Bone
Pendant lights make striking focal points when hung over kitchen islands and dining tables. Give your scheme an industrial look with antique enamel versions that started life in mid-century factories. A vibrant colour choice will add a touch of fun and pick out other kitchen accessories of the same fruity shade.
Real enamel factory pendants, £215 ($277.32), Retrouvius
G Plan is an iconic British furniture brand that made pioneering furniture that boomed in the 1960s. Their ethos was to create quality, affordable furniture that could be collected slowly for the home and so their pieces remain practical and stylish even now. This G Plan Gomme teak sideboard is available with hairpin legs that make a funky twist.
G Plan E Gomme mid-century teak sideboard, £465 ($599), HelloRetrodesign at Etsy
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Wallpaper is a striking way to add decorative vintage pattern to a room. From floral William Morris Arts and Craft blooms to bolder geometric retro prints, there is an era to suit all tastes and schemes. However, genuine vintage wallpaper can be hard to come by. Try Vintage Wallpapers or Hannah's Treasures who source the genuine article. Alternatively, many wallpaper manufacturers base designs on historical archives like this repeat pattern of stylised cowslips which is based on a print from the National Trust's property portfolio.
Hencroft National Trust Hencroft Punch wallpaper, £94 ($121.18) per roll, Little Greene
Antique mirrors add depth and light to vintage schemes and we think the bigger the better. Whether it's Venetian glass, French shabby chic or an exotic restoration, they add a romantic feel to a room when casually leaning against walls - just make sure it is secured.
Leaning antique Indian door frame mirror, £850 ($1,095), Scaramanga
Turn your home office into a workstation fit for Mad Men's Don Draper with a '60s set up. A polished teak desk will set the scene with executive style and plenty of sturdy storage draws will hide plastic stationery that might kill the vibe. Display a few choice accessories that echo the era such as an iconic Anglepoise task lamp and retro-style desk clock.
Get the look with office desks and bureaus from The Old Cinema
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