3 Mistakes to Avoid When Mixing Old and New Furniture

Mixing old and new furniture is a striking look when done correctly. The layered, collected feel is popular in older style homes or homes of those who love the country, farmhouse and vintage vibes as I do. And with so many of us trying to live more sustainably and leave a smaller footprint on the world, having a home furnished with preloved pieces is the way to go.

But blending old and new elements in your home is one of the most difficult decorating tricks to pull off. Handpicking feature pieces of furniture or accessories can be difficult, especially if you fall in love with everything or can’t pass up a bargain. The key is knowing which pieces will work in your house, where you will use them and how you are going to pull the look together so it doesn’t appear disjointed. Whether you live in a traditionally styled home but have a love of modern furniture or a contemporary home but love the charm of old-world, you CAN combine the two looks to create a stunning interior by avoiding the mistakes below.

How do I know these are mistakes? I’ve been guilty of every single one! And the look was not good!!!

Mistake #1 when Mixing Old and New Furniture: Too Much Stuff

Stop rolling your eyes! At the risk of stating the obvious, yet again, one of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to mix old and new furniture is to have a room stuffed so full your eyes don’t know where to start. In this instance, there’s no hero, or too many heroes, and no place for the eye to rest. And if most of your pieces are preloved, you run the risk of looking like you live at your Nan’s house. And she hasn’t decluttered since 1962!

You should always shop with the overall look or a specific piece in mind. There will be the odd occasion when you see something you absolutely love and have to have it but don’t be tempted to fill the room with eclectic op shop finds. A good rule to follow is that when one piece enters another must leave. This allows your furniture to be seen and appreciated for it’s beauty, not hidden amongst the clutter. In the picute below, the owner of the home has a mix of older style furniture from different eras. They’re unified by colour and pattern and then offset by the large sunburst mirror, fresh colour on the walls and modern artwork. If this room were stuffed with chairs from every trip to an auction house it would run the risk of looking like a waiting room. Instead, it looks comfortable and unique

Mistake #2: No Dominant Style

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when mixing old and new furniture is to have a 50/50 mix. In this scenario, there is no dominant style and your brain becomes confused. So, having half the furniture new and half old will look clunky and feel awkward. If you have mostly vintage or antique decor an add a statement light fitting that is modern, the light becomes a talking point. A wow moment. We did this in our hall (above). We could have had old-style new lights but the contrast of a 70’s designer lighting is a statement. It draws the eye up toward the beautiful original ceilings. Be bold and try a single modern element in a vintage space. It lends a modern touch that stops the house feeling like a mausoleum.

Mistake #3 when Mixing Old and New Furniture: Not Updating the Finishes

Another mistake when mixing old and new furniture is to ignore the upholstery and finishes on your antique pieces. In a contemporary style room, a beautiful antique piece can look completely out of place if the finish is dated. Imagine putting a shabby, chippy cabinet in an ultra-modern living room. If you spend time giving the piece a new lease on life you’ll have a hero for your room. Visitors to your home will notice the piece if you give it a modern touch. Chippy varnish does not look good in a modern setting. A new french polish looks classy and show-stopping.

If you put an ultra modern chair into a country vintage space when the leather is cracked and worn it will look like you’ve shopped at an op shop. That op shop chair can take on a special place, however, if you take time to have it recovered. You might even paint it to blend with your scheme. I have a sideboard and a cabinet I recently refinished. I didn’t like the look before as the varnish was yellowed and old. Now I love the little cabinet.

For more ideas on how to mix old and new furniture successfully check out my Pinterest board

See how we blend old and new in our farmhouse kitchen