Why Your Home Should Always Have Antique or Vintage Furniture & Decor

I absolutely LOVE antiques & vintage home goods. Using them in your home not only enhances the visual appeal of your spaces, but there are also some health benefits! In this post, I’m sharing all about the benefits of using antique/vintage pieces in your home, including why they are often healthier.

I debated whether or not I should write this post, because our home is definitely a work-in-progress. All of the images I’m sharing are from my own home, and I felt like it wasn’t “good enough” or “Pinterest worthy” enough to be sharing here as examples. But, I hope you’ll keep that in mind, and still find some inspiration from my home!

They add charm and character

Antiques or vintage items provide your home with a charm and character that is hard to match with new items. They help achieve this even in a home that is super modern- the patina and character add warmth and coziness to a design style that can often feel cold and unwelcoming. This can be achieved even through small items like accessories.

They make your home look effortless, but interesting

Incorporating vintage and antique pieces in your home simply makes it look better. Mixing design styles is a great way to make a space look really effortless, but very interesting and well-designed at the same time. A traditional style with some modern elements keeps it looking fresh, while a modern style with traditional touches keeps it feeling warm and timeless.

Rather than filling your home with mass-produced items from big box stores, adding in some older pieces from other design styles will make it look unique, rather than the design “falling flat”. If your home always feels like it’s missing something, adding in a vintage piece from a different style may just be the missing link!

They tell your unique story and make a house feel like home

Old furniture and decor tell your story and your family’s story with all of the memories that they hold. Creating a space that allows you to rest from the stresses of everyday life, that brings a smile to your face, and that allows you to be refreshed and inspired, is what great interior design should do. Including family heirlooms in your home helps achieves this in so many ways.

Another benefit is that you will have something unique that no one else has! If you love to have unique pieces in your home, the best way to do this is through special vintage pieces that are rare or one-of-a-kind, and special to you at the same time!

Antiques and vintage pieces are often healthier

Did you know that using antique and/or vintage furniture and decor can sometimes be a healthier choice too? Modern day items tend to contain modern day hazards such as flame-retardants, stain-resistant coatings (I’m so sorry to disappoint you, but these are NOT good for you), formaldehyde, glues, VOCs, vinyl acetate, heavy metals like lead, cadmium, & arsenic. These chemicals contribute to poor indoor air quality, and can contribute to chronic health issues such as asthma, eczema, cancer, hormonal imbalances, and the list goes on.

Solid wood furniture made without any glues or adhesives are the healthiest option when it comes to wood furniture. Furniture pieces built like that are getting harder to find, but many antiques are constructed like this.

I have been horrified several times when I picked up an item from HomeSense, only to notice a sticker on it saying “this may expose you to chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm”. Yikes! Many of the chemicals I’ve mentioned here did not even exist when antique pieces were made.

This does not mean, however, that antique pieces are free from potential harms. One major concern is old paint, which can contain lead. So be cautious of this if you are bringing something into your home that contains old paint.

If you have any antique pieces that might contain old paint with lead, one way to mitigate this is to put a clear varnish on them to seal the paint and prevent it from chipping off. The antique window in our master bedroom, shown below, is a prime example of this- I’ve been worried about that paint for awhile, and should probably get it tested to check for lead.

They are better quality and are usually less expensive

Vintage and antique pieces are of better quality and can often be found for much cheaper than brand new pieces. They are often made with solid wood and impeccable workmanship. Plus, they are pieces that will last a lifetime and can be passed down from generation to generation! You can find many of them at secondhand stores or online for amazing prices.

I find that Facebook Marketplace is currently the best place to buy and sell vintage/antique furniture. Sometimes you can get lucky at thrift stores too! When it comes to vintage decor, I like to check thrift stores for the best prices.

I hope this has brought you some inspiration and ideas on why, and how, you can incorporate vintage and antique items into your home. Taking the time to look for high-quality antique furniture and decor is a worthwhile investment! Not only will it be better for your health, but it’ll also contribute to a beautiful and inviting space that is unique to you.

What have been some of your favourite family heirlooms or vintage items? I would love to hear about it in the comments!

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