Invest in antiques to give your décor character

ADDING antique and vintage items to your home can produce many diverse and ostentatious results. From the quirky and daring, to the simple and rustic - antiques inject character into a home in a way modern furnishings won’t. But you have to be willing to open your mind to the aesthetic appeal of turning your home into a vintage oasis as it’s not a concept everyone buys into easily. However, latest trends suggest a move towards vintage tastes is back again and people are relishing the opportunity.

Antique shops and car booth sales is where you can pick up antiques at low prices. Collecting or displaying an antique is all about possessing a dream item with character and charm

– not necessarily its monetary value. Altering your home with antiques adds peculiarity and charm to home décor. The reality these days is most home furnishings are mass produced, and chances are you won’t be the only one eying up that lovely chair, picture or floor mat when shopping on the high street. Antiques are exclusive items that give a home personality.

Old style prints, silver coffee pots and cutlery, period chairs and tables, clocks, oil lamps, Victorian umbrella stands and coat hangers, old ornate mirrors – all add character. Even externally one can find plenty of old garden items such as gothic style benches, old style bricks and patio slabs, vintage signs, etc.

Some antiques may even look a little jaded and worn but at least they’ll bring the kind of atmosphere and personality to a home that most standard ornaments and furnishings won’t. And don’t be put off by a table or chair that looks a little run down, with a little sanding and a lick of paint it can be restored to its former glory. There’s just something more intimate and rewarding about giving old antiques a second chance in life.

Keep an eye out for antique fairs and car booth sales in your area and pay them a visit. If you’re new to antiques don’t feel intimidated as the best place to start is with an item you like. An antique that’s for you will instantly strike a chord and once this happens there’s little else to know except ‘can I afford it?’ Don’t be afraid to negotiate a bargain as many dealers are flexible on price. Antiques add an enduring appeal to a home. Time to start looking.