If you think antique furniture only works for traditional decorating styles, it’s time to think again. Antiques can definitely be part of a contemporary decorating scheme, especially if you choose pieces with clean lines and plenty of visual appeal. Antiques can be used to create a distinctly modern look with touches of retro flair. If you’ve never considered using antiques in new and exciting modern ways, here are some ideas that you can use to add contemporary style to any room of your home.

Antique Furniture with Modern Flair
Part of the fun of decorating with antiques is using the pieces in new and exciting ways. Using this method, an antique that might otherwise look quaint and old-fashioned will seem stylish and fresh. For example, add a cushion to the top of an antique blanket chest to create an interesting seating option in the living room. This same chest could also be used as a fascinating coffee table. A single unmatched dining room chair can be used in the living room foyer, or beside the fireplace to display an interesting sculpture. You can even convert an antique door into an interesting living room table, with minimal carpentry skills.

Choosing the Perfect Antique for Modern Living Rooms
In most cases, you’ll want to choose antiques with clean and simple lines, as opposed to those with ornate scrolls, carvings or curves. Try to find pieces that are not upholstered, as they tend to have a more modern look. In most cases, using one or two carefully chosen antique furniture pieces will be more effective from a design standpoint than using all antique furniture. Try to find some common design threads to tie your antique pieces in with the rest of your furniture items. For example, try matching the wood color, or choose a low profile antique coffee table to match up with a low profile contemporary sofa. It can also help to match wood colors and other furniture design features to help blend a few choice antiques in with your other contemporary furniture pieces. Some antique furniture pieces, such as those with an Art Deco flair, can even double as works of art.

Shopping for Great Antique Buys
In some cases, you might not need to look any further than your attic for a great antique you can use. It’s also worth a try to see if any of your relatives have any old family antiques that they would be happy to give you. If not, there are always antique stores, second-hand stores, flea markets and even garage sales to peruse. It can pay to be a bit selective when shopping for antiques, especially when you’re trying to find the perfect piece to accentuate a modern living room design. Instead of buying the first piece you find, shop around a bit until you find one or more furniture pieces that seem to be perfect for what you have in mind. Since you only need one or two items to create a great visual effect, you can afford to pay a bit more for the perfect piece of antique furniture.

Author Bio: Professional designer Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, and specializes in decorating with door topper and southwestern wall art.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: antique furniture,living room,modern living,furniture pieces,modern living room,modern look