Do you love the look of antique items but you don’t quite have the budget to buy them, or you find them difficult to find? It’s a common complaint that many homeowners have. They want to give their home more personality and character, but aren’t sure how to go about it. The good news is that there are ways to take even the newest blandest piece of furniture and turn it into something that looks like a family heirloom. You’ll be able to add all new personality to a room simply by following a few steps.
So, if you’re ready to start transforming the way your home looks, here are some tips on how you can take a piece of furniture or décor item and give it that antique look.
Don’t Be Afraid of DIY Projects
First things first, it’s time to throw your fear of DIY projects out the window. When it comes to how to create an antique look for DIY projects the steps can sometimes seem a bit intimidating to the novice DIY’er, but there’s really nothing to fear. Part of making an item look like an antique is that you throw away all the rules and just let your creativity flow. There is no wrong or right outcome as it’s all a matter of personal preference.
So now that you’ve confronted your fear, it’s time to get started.
Give Milk Paint a Try
One of the most popular products that you can use in order to achieve that antique look is to use milk paint. This works extremely well when refinishing furniture. It gives that rustic, slightly used and weathered look that is so common with antique pieces. You will be working with two colors of your choice, and you can decide just how rustic you want the piece to look.
Use Lots of Wood Furniture
Another way to give your home that antique look is to use a lot of wood furniture throughout. Wood just naturally warms up a space, which helps to create that rustic and old feel. Ideally you want to go with medium and dark toned wood, and there is no need to pick all the same colors. An eclectic mix can help add to the overall vibe.
Change the Hardware
A really simple yet impactful tip is to change out all the hardware on your cupboards and doors. Opt for handles and knobs that have that olden-time feel to them. If you do this throughout the house you’ll be helping to create flow from room to room.
Shop Garage Sales and Second-Hand Stores
Garage sales and second-hand stores can be an absolute gold mine when it comes to antique pieces. Look for ornate pieces such as gilded mirrors, classic looking paintings/prints, old lamps, and anything else that seems to fit the period.
Enjoy Your Transformed Space
Now that you’ve made all these little changes and added a few touches, you can enjoy the totally transformed space you have created.
