8 Elements That Give Your Dining Room a Vintage Feel
Transform your eating area from a time capsule into a contemporary marvel by steering clear of these eight pitfalls, as advised by esteemed Southern design gurus.
1. Diminutive Decor
According to Aileen Warren of Jackson Warren Interiors, tiny area rugs, known as "postage stamp" rugs, can turn a dining room into a relic. Ensure your rug size allows all chair legs to remain on it even when pushed back from the table.
2. Inadequate Lighting
If swapping out your chandelier isn't an option just yet, Raleigh, North Carolina decorator Maggie Dillon recommends upgrading the candle covers of your existing fixture with fresh white ones or adding layered, dimmable lighting to modernize the atmosphere.
3. Cherry Wood Obsession
Anna Still and Marguerite Johnson of Still Johnson in Birmingham, Alabama, remind us that alas, veneered cherry wood furniture remains perpetually stranded in the '90s. Alternative options include re-staining or repainting for a lighter, fresher look.
4. Primary Primaries
For Jessica Davis, founder of Atlanta-based studio Atelier Davis, the '80s scream out from a dining room adorned with deep red walls and crystal chandeliers. Lighten up with subtler shades like terracotta or plum, and experiment with mixed-era pieces for a more contemporary atmosphere.
5. Identical Furniture
Betsey Mosby, a designer from Jackson, Mississippi, admonishes us against a long-extinct trend of matching furniture ensembles. Mix and match different styles and woods, and alternate colors for a more layered, collected look.
6. That Popcorn Ceiling, Really?
The Still Johnson design duo cannot stress enough the importance of banishing popcorn ceilings, which they and we heartily agree should be a thing of the past.
7. Lack of Contrast
Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors advises creating balance with your color choices, adding texture, and incorporating bright accent colors to avoid the mere semblance of an outdated dining room.
8. Not-So-Fresh Fabrics
Yellowing or tattered fabrics are dead giveaways of a neglected dining room. The Still Johnson designers suggest replacing worn pieces with new ones, or merely cleaning them up for a fresher look.
Insights:
Revamping an outdated dining room calls for focusing on several key aspects, including neutral color schemes, ornamental layering, and mixed furniture styles.
1. Neutral Shades
Replacing garish primary colors with muted hues can create a relaxing, balanced atmosphere. Persuade the space with neutral whites, beiges, grays, and occasional pops of soft color through accessories.
2. Switched-Up Furniture
Instead of purchasing an entire matching suite, opt for a mix of styles and materials to build visual interest. Consider refurbishing antique or oak furniture with a contemporary feel by re-staining or repainting.
3. Better Lighting
By incorporating layered lighting, you can shed light on every corner and enhance the atmosphere, while replacing old or outdated fixtures to create a brighter, more modern ambiance.
4. Shift Away from Garish Colors
Instead of bold primary colors, opt for subtle patterns and textures, and incorporate plants or flowers to introduce natural color and freshness.
5. Say Goodbye to Cherry
Replace old, ornate cherry wood furniture with light wood tones such as blonde wood, ash grey, or bleached wood to achieve a more contemporary aesthetic.
6. Edit Your Decor
Updating a dining room requires restraint. Strip down to the essentials and opt for a focal point like a standout piece of art or a stunning styled buffet to draw attention away from the relics.
7. Smart Integration
Purchase intelligent lighting systems that combine both beauty and functionality, enhancing your dining room's appearance and usefulness.
8. Spacious and Airy
Delete boundaries in a room where feasible to create a less claustrophobic atmosphere, and opt for lighter fabrics like linen or Roman shades to maintain an open, airy feel.
- To give your home a modern touch, consider updating your dining room decor with ideas from SouthernLiving.
- One home decor mistake to avoid is using smaller 'avocado'-shaped area rugs that can make a dining room appear outdated.
- Old cherry wood furniture can be a 'culprit' of outdated decor in dining rooms, consider re-staining or repainting for a fresh look.
- Southern design gurus recommend steering clear of 'bae7554fec091b046768dbdcd4a8504a' primary colors for a more contemporary dining room look.
