When you are looking for a unique way to add charm and personality to your space, antiques are the way to go. Each one is flawless in its own right, and when placed correctly, will finish off your home decor with perfection. However, it’s not as black and white as it seems. When you are shopping for antiques, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.
Don’t Go Crazy
While one or two antiques will bring warmth and style to your home, too many of them will make your home look like a museum instead of a showroom (which you do not want!). Your best bet is to stick to one major item from that past in each room (no more than three), and keep the rest of your decor more on the modern side.
Quality Matters
One of the best things about decorating with antiques is that they are usually made to last (which is why they are still around). Artisans from the past really knew how to make a product, and you can benefit from their skills. Specifically, you will want to search for items that are almost impossible to find (unless you want mass-produced) these days, like handcrafted pottery and hand-blown glass.
Buy for Now
If you find the antique of your dreams, but it needs a touch up here and a recreation there, you are better off to keep looking. Face it, unless you are especially handy or searching for a project, you will probably never get around to fixing it up, wasting a perfectly good antique.
Use Your Imagination
Most importantly, when shopping for antiques, remember that you do not have to take them for their face value. Some of the most extraordinary pieces are being used for something they were not intended for (think large, rustic vase as an umbrella stand, or vice versa).
