Meaning of Vintage Furniture
Shelter magazines promote vintage furniture in gorgeous displays, illustrated with interesting rooms that exude one-of-a-kind charm. But what is vintage furniture exactly? How is it different from antique furniture?
Basically, what is labeled vintage furniture is any piece that is between 30 to 100 years old. Furniture that is at least 100 years old is classified as antique. Newer vintage, like anything from the 1950s to 1980s, is generally thought of as retro within the vintage category, and any piece that dates from the '80s or later is just simply used furniture.
Furniture in the mid-century modern style has been enjoying a moment since the aughts of the 21st century; this would be correctly labeled both vintage and retro.
Simply being old does not make any furniture vintage in the technical sense, even though most people use the term old and vintage interchangeably. To earn the title "vintage, " the piece should also be an example of what defined a style of that period. For example, an Eames chair is a good example of vintage (or retro) furniture of the mid-century modern era. The piece does not have to belong to a well-known line or the best-known manufacturer. It simply has to exhibit the best characteristics of that era.
Vintage furniture is currently on trend, and there are several reasons for its popularity.
It Gives Your House a Unique Look
Vintage pieces become less commonly seen as time goes by, even pieces that were mass-produced and ubiquitous when they were new.
As a result, they become more unusual and give your decor individuality and style, maybe even a cool factor, that can't be achieved in a room furnished entirely with new pieces.
Since the vintage category covers several decades, you can either choose pieces all from one vintage/retro era, like mid-century modern, and re-create that style, right down to the accessories, or you can carefully curate a collection of vintage pieces from different eras that combine to make a harmonious and cohesive look.
