Jump to:When you walk into a flea market or secondhand shop, items from bygone eras abound, creating a feast for the eyes and providing plenty of design inspiration. And often, when viewing all of these decades-old items, they hail from a variety of time periods. It seems as if the terms vintage and antique are similar, but actually, when youre viewing all of those throwback pieces, some can fall into one camp while others fall into another.To boost your knowledge of old-school design, were here to share the main differences between antique vs. vintage decor.Related StoriesWhat Is the True Definition of Vintage?PIASSICK PHOTOSo, how old is vintage? Johanna Leung, a home decor influencer with a penchant for antiques, defines vintage as pieces that are at least 20 years old but less than 100 years old. This means that anything between the 1920s and the 2000s currently counts as vintage. Yes, thats rightdecor pieces from the 1990s are now vintage, as Katie Saro, designer, vintage dealer, and host of the Magnolia Network show The Art of Vintage, points out.How Does Vintage Differ From Antique? Leung further explains that antique pieces are at least 100 years old, which in todays era puts them before the 1920s. Designer Philip Thomas Vanderford shares that the key difference between antique vs. vintage is age and feel. Antiques are over 100 years old, bringing a sense of grandeur and history to a space, he says. Vintage pieces offer a more accessible connection to the past with a nostalgic, yet relatable, vibe. Related StoryExamples of Vintage vs. Antique DesignFor examples of vintage styles, look no further than midcentury modern (MCM) design. Imagine Frank Lloyd Wrights Fallingwater house or the Egg Chair, Saro says. She adds that retro design styles of the late 1960s and 70s are exemplary of vintage stylethink shag carpets, macram, rattan, and even rotary phones. Also, the Memphis design style of the 1980s, with its primary colors and geometric shapes, is considered to be vintage.Vanderford cites pieces like an 18th-century Georgian dining table or a Louis XVI armchair as examples of antiques. As a designer, I use antiques to add grandeur and depth, while vintage pieces introduce a curated, approachable sophistication that balances history with contemporary style, he notes.Related StoryWays to Bring Both Styles Into Your HomePIASSICK PHOTODepending on your personal tastes and design aesthetic, you can either stick to vintage or antique decor exclusively, bring them together, or mix either style with new pieces. Like cooking with wildly different ingredients, you have to experiment to see what flavors sing together, Saro says. She believes that opposites attract when it comes to vintage and antique pieces, but there are specific ways to go about it.To create contrast, she says, Think of the color wheel and how colors on the opposite side of the spectrum bring out the best in each other. Its the same idea with design styles: postmodern looks great with antiques, but MCM generally does not get along with heavy antiques. Post-modern is a good friend to MCM, and the elements of the retro 70s look great in a monochromatic, organic-modern scheme. Related StoryLooking to add character to your home primarily through vintage decor? Vanderford suggests centering a space on a vintage statement furniture piece, such as a vintage armchair or credenza. You can also weave in artwork and accessories, such as vintage mirrors, lamps, or art pieces, which, as Vanderford says, bring warmth and texture, offering a sense of nostalgia without overwhelming the space.If youre more drawn to antiques, Saro recommends pairing unique, well-crafted antiques with modern lines and bold colors to keep them interesting. This is an approach that Vanderford agrees with, and advises, Pair antiques with sleek, contemporary furniture to create a dynamic balance that feels curated and effortlessly refined. Also, according to Vanderford, you can layer antique rugs or tapestries to create depth, and, to avoid overpowering a room with antiques, go with smaller antiques, like carved side tables or gilded frames, to subtly incorporate the look. For antique statement pieces, its best to place the focus of the room on that item. As Leung says, Antique decor should serve as the pice de rsistancea conversation starter in your home. I love using original oil paintings, mirrors with ornate wooden frames, or furniture pieces with intricate details to make a statement and add a touch of history to any space.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.