31 beautiful vintage bedroom ideas

Vintage bedroom ideas

Your bedroom is a personal space, which makes it the ideal canvas for unravelling plenty of personality and character within your decor. And with vintage decor typically being between 20-99 years old, there are decades of inspiration to draw from.

So whether you’re looking for a strong, sophisticated look, a paired-back powdery finish, or an eclectic mix of treasures, you’ll find plenty of vintage-style bedroom ideas from across the years to inspire you in this post.

Vintage bedroom ideas that emphasise period features

If you live in a period property, you may be fortunate enough to have some original features in your bedroom.

If you have exposed beams, original wood floors, or a traditional fireplace, allow them to shine to set the tone for your vintage-style bedroom.

1. Exposed beams

Keep them natural, or paint them, exposed beams are a wonderful feature in a vintage bedroom.

2. Traditional fireplace

An original fireplace creates a stunning focal point in a vintage bedroom. We love the period features and luxurious fixtures and fittings across this vintage master bedroom concept.

3. Reclaimed radiators

Whether you have original radiators, or you install reclaimed ones, it’s these finer details that help to create a cohesive look in a vintage bedroom.

4. Vintage bedroom ideas with original wood floors

Original wood floors are an absolute gem. They can be sanded back and restored, varnished, or painted. Either way, they’re a beautiful, solid foundation for the rest of your vintage-inspired decor.

5. Historic windows

If you have a majestic window in your bedroom – be it a porthole window, leaded or stained glass – strive to make a feature of it. We love the cosy window seat in this concept nestled between overflowing shelves of good reads.

Style your bedroom with quality, vintage furniture

The trick to vintage furniture is to mix and match periods and styles – unless you want your bedroom to look like your grandmother’s house.

6. Solid wood furniture

Vintage furniture is solid and built to last. Antiques fairs, charity shops, and even online sites such as Facebook Marketplace have bargains waiting to be snapped up.

A traditional chest of drawers, a cherry wood sleigh bed, or a vintage burl wood armoire are great statement pieces to consider for your vintage antique bedroom ideas.

7. Cast iron bedframe

A cast iron bedframe in either black or white is a classic piece of furniture in a vintage bedroom.

The choice of a white bedframe in this concept creates a more delicate feel, with the textural elements within the soft furnishings and floral arrangements adding warmth.

8. Rattan furniture

Rattan furniture rose to popularity in the 70s and has made a stunning comeback.

As a headboard, chest of drawers, or statement chair; there are plenty of ways to add this gorgeous vintage material into your bedroom decor.

9. Antique French furniture

For an elegant, vintage bedroom, how about a French farmhouse look? The large, ornate, painted headboard is the star of the show in this concept.

10. Upcycled furniture

A distressed or painted piece of furniture is a beautiful addition to a vintage bedroom.

Find an antique that’s been painted over the years and you may see the original kaleidoscope of paint layers peeling through. Or sand and paint your own choice of hue to complement your design scheme.

11. Include eclectic pieces in your vintage bedroom ideas

Want some ideas to create a vintage bedroom for kids? We love how this homeowner has combined the old with the new, opting for an antique trunk as storage, crates as a bedside bookshelf, and an upcycled desk and chair alongside more modern features.

And how about this idea for a vintage boys’ bedroom: an antique printer’s tray as a way to showcase all your child’s fascinating finds?

Vintage bedroom decoration ideas

When you think about vintage bedroom decorating ideas, don’t be fooled into thinking you have to stick to one particular style. When executed well, bedroom decor ideas with a vintage twist can expertly combine various colours, patterns, and textures from across the decades.

So whether you want to flood your room with colour like it’s the 70s, or take a more muted 80s/90s approach, follow what you’re drawn to and don’t be afraid to get creative.

12. Polka-dotting 50s

The 50s were awash with candyfloss hues and polka dots; a combination that we think works beautifully for a girls’ vintage bedroom.

13. Psychedelic ’60s

Whether you want to create an explosion of colour in your vintage bedroom akin to the ’60s palette, or add more subtle touches, don’t be afraid to add some colour to your vintage design schemes.

14. Vintage bedroom ideas with ’70s vibes

Orange and brown is a classic combination from the 70s, which has worked its way effortlessly into modern decor. If you didn’t think it was possible to have orange in a vintage bedroom, think again.

15. Powdery pastels

Showing that there’s a vintage look for every taste, this concept pares the colours back to powdery pastel hues reminiscent of the ’80s and ’90s. Everything about this concept feels soft and romantic – a peaceful sanctuary within the vaulted ceiling.

16. Vintage white bedroom ideas

How does a completely white bedroom not feel stark and clinical? By adding vintage bedroom furniture, classic accessories, and full, layered bedding.

17. Black accents

Is black too heavy to include in vintage room ideas? Absolutely not. This concept delivers a more masculine feel, with the black light fixtures and door frames, yet still packing plenty of vintage flair with the mix of patterns and antique furniture.

18. Vintage bedroom ideas with wall panelling

As far as vintage bedroom ideas go, wall panelling is up there with the best of them. Opt for wide panels rather than narrow ones and paint in a colour of your choice: light and airy or a dark, heritage hue.

19. Adorn the walls

Wall stencilling is about as retro as it gets if you’re planning some vintage bedroom decor. So if you’re looking for cost-effective ways to create unique and personalised vintage interiors, grab a stencil and get creative.

20. Floral wallpaper

When you think of a classic vintage bedroom, this image is probably quite close to what you conjure up.

Floral print wallpaper is synonymous with antique bedroom decor, as is Anaglypta wallpaper – embossed wallpaper designs popular in the Victorian era.

21. Patterned curtains

Luxurious floor-length curtains in intricate and subtle patterns create a sophisticated vintage look. Notice how the colour palette stays consistent in this antique bedroom, but the patterns vary across the soft furnishings, perfectly grounded by the dark nightstand.

Lighting ideas for a vintage-inspired bedroom

As with any room decor, the lighting you select will have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your room.

There’s a vast selection of lighting to choose from with vintage-inspired bedroom ideas; here are some ideas to get you started.

22. Hang a chandelier

If you’re looking for vintage bedroom ideas for women, there’s plenty of inspiration in this concept.

The pretty patterns, powder pink dresser, and elegant chandelier create a subtly luxurious space to relax and unwind. Notice the array of light fixtures around the room to set the right mood.

23. Add wall sconces

The antique brass light fixtures and vintage rug pair with industrial accents in this concept to create a fabulous vintage boys bedroom idea.

Alternatively, choose weathered gold or brass light fixtures against earthy tones such as sage green for a modern twist.

24. Bedside lights

Your bedside lamps are an opportunity to tie in the accent colour in your vintage bedroom, should you wish. These traditional style lamps in sage green add just the right amount of depth to the floral scheme.

Textiles and accessories for a vintage-style bedroom

As a general rule, for bedroom design ideas with a vintage look, layer your bedroom with pattern and texture.

As we’ve already seen, you can introduce pattern and texture within your choice of wallpaper and curtains, but there’s plenty of scope to add more to your other soft furnishings and accessories.

25. A fabric headboard

A floral-print, fabric headboard screams beautiful vintage bedroom decor. Continue the theme with some carefully chosen scatter cushions too.

26. Embossed quilt

Another vintage bedroom idea is to lay a heavy, Victorian quilt over your perfectly-made bed. The original weighted blanket; a perfect finishing touch in an antique-inspired bedroom.

27. Lace accessories

Another textile popular with vintage bedrooms is lace, in all manner of guises: as a curtain, throw, or wall hanging.

28. Vintage rugs

Carefully placed rugs will help to take the edge off a cool stone or wood floor. Choose a vintage Persian rug as a super way to introduce some classic patterns to your antique bedroom.

29. Include mirrors in your vintage bedroom ideas

A statement, ornate mirror will add a touch of grandeur to your vintage bedroom. Choose an antique mirror as seen in this concept, or go for an angular art deco option for a mid-century look.

30. Antique accessories

Baskets, hampers, trunks, and ceramic vases are all gorgeous accessories for a vintage-inspired bedroom. For extra points, choose items that have a personal meaning.

31. Hang wall art and paintings

A gallery wall is a common feature within an antique vintage bedroom. Go for mismatched frames in a variety of sizes and avoid hanging them in a uniform way.

Prefer something more classic? Paintings and drawings of landscapes, ornate botanical prints, and oil portraits were popular artworks that still look great today.

Call in the experts to help with your vintage bedroom ideas

With plenty of inspiration for your vintage bedroom ideas, why not call in the professionals to help bring your vision to life?

Search our leading directory of quality tradespeople to kick-start your bedroom makeover today.