While more homeowners are adopting a modern home design, there are some ways you can mix a modern layout with vintage decor or vice versa. No matter your taste, mixing modern and vintage decor is possible and can look completely intentional. Balancing a home starts with finding pieces and a color scheme that you love, not just what is popular in home design magazines. 

If you want to mix pieces from different times inside your home design, you don’t need to hire an interior designer. You can decorate your home like a professional, with a few tips that will be covered in this blog. We will look at some large pieces to start with, while also covering what you should avoid if you want to achieve balance.

Use Minimalist Pieces As Anchor Points

The first step in blending modern and vintage pieces is to start with a good foundation. Modern anchor pieces can help set your home up for success because they often have clean lines and a sleek look. No busy patterns, minimal colors, and minimalist designs are often words used to describe modern pieces. Using these as the base of your home design can help other pieces to stand out and blend well together. Mixing too many patterns and textures may cause your home to feel overwhelming.

Modern And Neutral Couches

One anchor piece that can help create balance with your vintage decor is a neutral sofa. Solid color couches can set the tone for a living room or sitting room and make it easier to pair bold accents. Cream, brown, or white couches can be paired with a variety of other colors and patterns easily, making it easy to pair a vintage pillow, rug, or lamp without fear of clashing.

Wood Coffee Table

Another common anchor piece with a minimalist design is a wood coffee table. Thick wood with minimal grain is a versatile piece that you can dress up with smaller accents, books, and ceramics. If a wood coffee table is not your style, a glass top coffee table with minimal legs can also provide a solid base to let your vintage pieces shine.

Add Character With Small Vintage Pieces

Once you have a solid foundation, you can layer in items with more personality and vintage flair. Vintage pieces create contrast and warmth in your home, so combining them with your modern anchor pieces makes your home unique. Bold finishes, unique shapes, and vintage colors can layer well with your modern pieces. Timeworn charm that comes from vintage pieces could get overwhelming when you don’t find a minimal anchor piece. Below are some pieces you can use to mix modern and vintage decor.

Mid-Century Accent Chairs

If you have chosen a modern table, you can choose more vintage chairs to create some contrast. Accent chairs with a vintage pattern can be a great contrast to a solid colored couch. Not only should you find an antique or accent chair that adds character to your home, but also comfortable ones. Chairs can be functional and comfortable to make a living room more inviting.

Vintage Frames And Mirrors

One of the best ways to include vintage decor in your home is through frames, mirrors, and accessories. Vintage finds like candlestick holders, accent bowls, large mirrors, and art are easy ways to incorporate some vintage flair without going overboard. Gold and ornate frames or wooden-lined mirrors can be layered on top of a modern table or fireplace mantel. 

Skip Matching Sets

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your mix of modern and vintage furniture looks intentional is to avoid matching sets with a few vintage pieces thrown in. Getting a matching couch and chair set or coffee table and end table set will often look too perfect. Pair your clean and modern sofa with a mix of textured pillows and chairs, or choose different metal finishes across the home.

Focus On Contrast

The biggest thing to remember when purchasing furniture and mixing and matching is to create contrast. Too much of one thing, color, or texture can feel overwhelming. If you are mixing and matching, you want it to feel intentional, creating rhythm and visual balance. 

Another way to add contrast is to mix different shapes and edge styles. Use a curvy armchair and have a sharp modern coffee table. Use a structured and ornate frame and place a clock or fake plant nearby. Visual balance is key when mixing modern and vintage decor.

Give Your Home Character By Mixing Modern And Vintage Pieces

Sugar House Furniture loves to see homeowners mixing eclectic pieces with modern touches in their home. Our mission-style furniture is a sturdy wood option that will last you for many years and bring a sense of warmth into the home. From living room pieces to quality bedroom sets, Sugar House Furniture has something that will fit your personal style. Visit our store to see products in person or shop online to see specs and details about each piece from the comfort of your home.

Pronounced hoo-gah, hygge is a Danish art that focuses on life’s simple joys, contentment, warmth, and presence. Hygge is often adopted by people who want to slow down, enjoy their current phase of life, or promote better connections with those around them. Following a hygge lifestyle can be made easier if you set up your home to promote relaxation, comfort, and things that bring you joy. Changing your lifestyle to rival our current fast-paced world can be challenging, but some easy home integrations can help. Learn more about adopting the art of hygge in this blog.

Finding Contentment In Simple Pleasures

One of the biggest reasons people want to follow hygge practices is the focus on finding joy in the mundane. Finding joy in your morning routine, listening to your favorite music in the car, the sun on your face, eating your favorite meal, or sipping a hot drink before bed are all things you can take notice of to bring light to your day. 

Slowing down to notice the small wins each day can also help you adopt the hygge lifestyle. Finding cozy corners in your home and lighting a candle may seem simple, but it can go a long way when you put yourself in the right mindset. 

Creating A Warm Environment

Creating a hygge-centered home starts with incorporating warmth. Using warm lighting, having cozy blankets and textiles, using your fireplace, or lighting candles are good ways to bring warmth into your home. However, other elements of interior design and the right furniture choices can help a space feel warmer. For example, paint colors with warm undertones or that are considered warm colors will help to make the space feel more inviting. Red woods or stains on cabinets can also help increase the warmth in a home. 

Warm is a word that is often used to describe hugs or welcomes. When someone is visiting your home, you can adopt hygge and offer warm hugs, warm welcomes, warm wishes, or a warm meal. There are many ways, physically and emotionally, to help your home exude warmth.

Fostering Togetherness

Hygge means to take time away from a rushed lifestyle and spend time with those you love most. If you want to adopt this lifestyle and incorporate it into your home, fostering togetherness and gathering are two ways to do that. Homes are often gathering places for family and friends, so making your backyard, living room, and kitchen places people want to be is crucial to fully adopting hygge. 

Planning family get-togethers, hosting a book club, or planning a date night at home are ways to make positive memories in your space and help happiness linger. 

Use Your Fireplace

Many homes have a fireplace that almost never gets used, but if you are hoping to adopt more hygge practices, try lighting or turning on your fireplace more often. The burning wood, the smoke smells, and the crackling wood can help us feel connected to nature while also providing tangible warmth. Fireplaces can be a focal point or a place to gather around. Turning on the fireplace can draw people towards that area, leading to more conversations and connections with loved ones. 

Incorporate Natural Materials And Soft Layers

Hygge is best incorporated in the winter season because of the long, dark, and cold winters in Denmark. Gathering inside your home and cozying up with blankets, warm clothing, and a fire can make the winters seem less harsh. When designing or decorating your home, look for natural materials such as stone and wood, while also incorporating plants. Textiles should also be incorporated in a hygge home, including fluffy rugs, thick blankets, assorted pillows, and plush chairs and couches. 

Inviting Pieces From Sugar House Furniture

Sugar House Furniture offers almost every furniture piece you could possibly need for a cozy home. From chairs to tables to accessories, we have furniture that is built to last. Our handcrafted wooden furniture is known to be durable, remaining in great condition through generations. Through kids, teens, and into later adulthood, you can have peace of mind about the integrity of your furniture. 

Our mission-style furniture can create a stunning focal point in your home. While there are many modern styles and cheaper options on the market, we believe that investing in your pieces will bring you more satisfaction in the long run. Come see what our company has to offer or browse our online selection. Elevate your home with craftsman-designed wood furniture today!

Your dining room and kitchen can benefit from quality seating, including around your countertop or dining table. Bar and counter stools vary in size, shape, height, and style, so all homeowners can find an option that works best for their home design. When choosing the best stool options, you should focus on the correct height and a style that fits the rest of your home decor. This blog will share some tips and insight on how to find the best bar and counter stools.

Typical Bar And Counter Height

Understanding the typical heights of kitchen islands, bars, or countertops will help you choose a stool that fits appropriately. Counter heights are typically between 34 and 39 inches, but a designated bar can be taller, ranging between 40 and 43 inches. You should choose counter stools or bar stools that are slightly shorter than the countertop (24-26 inches for counters or 28-30 inches for bars). A good rule of thumb is to have the gap between your seat and the tabletop be around 10 inches.

The Difference Between Bar Stools And Counter Stools

The biggest difference between bar stools and counter stools is the height, but there are also other style differences. The construction of and the materials used for bar and counter stools can range widely. They can also be customized to colors or designs that match your other decor. Barstools often have a seat and offer a distinct look. Counter stools typically look like chairs with a back, but are higher than a typical dining chair. 

Choose Comfort Over Aesthetics

While having pieces that are aesthetically pleasing is important to a nice home, seating options also need to be functional and comfortable to sit on. When shopping for stools and chairs, you should consider how they will be used. If they will be more decorative, then comfort might not be important, but if you are going to use them for dinner each night, during hosting, or while kids are working on homework, comfort should be top priority.

Adjustable Options

There are many options that can be adjusted to multiple heights, allowing you to choose a seating option you love, even if it isn’t a comfortable height. Adjustable bar stools and counter stools can allow people of all heights and kids to sit comfortably at your bar. This will help you avoid making the mistake of getting a stool that is too short or too high because you can adjust it to the most appropriate height.

Matching Your Other Furniture

In addition to practicality, bar and counter stools should also match your aesthetic. All elements in your interior design should work together to create a cohesive look. When choosing seating options, you should think about colors, metal finishes, and cushion designs that will work well in your home. Couches, chairs, and accessories are often the last things to be added in a home, so it is important to use them to help tie all your hard work together.

Choosing A Child-Friendly Option

If you have children, you will also need to consider what heights will work for them. Stools often have bars to step on or rest your feet, which may be helpful for small children needing to access the countertop or kitchen island. Counter stools with backs and armrests may also reduce the risk of falls from the higher seats. Even if you have a barstool or counter stool that is the perfect height for an adult, children may need a booster or pad to reach the counter. Keep this in mind if you are worried about these add-ons changing the look of your dining space. 

Dining Room Furniture From Sugar House Furniture

Sugar House Furniture has some of the most durable mission-style furniture on the market. From bedroom furniture to office chairs and bar stools, we have something for every home. Choosing the right seating can help complement your table and dining room design. Our team crafts all of our pieces from durable and easy-to-maintain wood species, adding warmth to your space. 

When you shop with Sugar House Furniture, there are hundreds of options to choose from. While our furniture may not be everyone’s style, there are pieces that can fit many different home styles. Customers can shop in our warehouse or online to see how a piece will look in their home. Learn more about home design and custom furniture from Sugar House Furniture.