10 ways to style your perfect vintage bedroom

We have been busy decorating our bedroom as well as the spare room over the last few months. Both have become relaxing space with loads of vintage styled within. Here are my top 10 ways to achieve this look.

1. The Bed

Let’s face it, it is hard to find a vintage bed that is comfortable, stylish and practical. One way to achieve this though is to buy a modern basic bed such as a duvan and add your own original headboard. Companies such as G Plan produced black or cream vinyl ones that can be attached or simply placed behind your bed. We have a cream G Plan one which ties in with the light feel of the room.

If you want more of a vintage than mid century feel, choose a metal bed. These can be bought in light weight metal reminding us of old antique romantic French beds. Ikea have day bed versions too which are great for a spare room or a little girls room. Alternatively have a look at John Lewis or Laura Ashley.

2. Clever Storage

You can never have enough storage for all your vintage dresses but ideally you want it all out of sight to create a calm effect. While looking at pretty clothing is lovely, I need a clutter free environment to sleep well. Of course you can buy good wardrobes but think about other ways you can store your things. I use a large free standing sewing box for my jewellery which sits in the spare room.

How about a pile of trunks and old cases for your handbags or clothing that is out of season. My winter wardrobe is in this large trunk at the end of the bed.

My handbags are on the wall and in a cocktail cabinet.

Fitted wardrobes are the best investment and Ikea sell great ones. If you have white or cream walls choose the same coloured doors so they simply merge in. Alternatively choose mirrored ones to create the illusion of extra space and light. If these are too modern for you, line inside the doors with vintage wallpaper to put a smile on your face every day. Or why not line the front instead?

3. Positioning

Ideally your bed wants to be on a feature wall without loads of other furniture on it, except your bedside tables of course. try out lots of positions – our spare bed has been in one place for four years and has never felt right. We have moved it onto another wall creating what feels like a larger space! It is also nice if you can see out of the window from your bed – much nicer to wake up to especially on a summer day.

4. Feature Walls

While it is nice to create a calm space using creams and greys, selecting one wall to become a feature will provide a real focal point. Hanging wallpaper is a great way to do this. I love so many patterns there are too many to share with you, but we have Sanderson’s FiFi on our bedroom wall. It’s a modern version of a 1950s design.

For the gents out there what about this one from I Want Wallpaper. It is by Holden Decor and is the perfect paper for one wall, especially in the black colour. (Check out our competition below) I love the images as they are perfect for a gentleman: a gramophone, pocket watch, typewriter and of course a stag!

5. Lighting

Lighting can change the mood in any room, and creating a calm feel in the place you relax and sleep in is therefore a must. Choose floor lamps and table lamps with paper or silk shades to direct the lighting as well as dim it. You can mix and match your shade and base to create more of a vintage, eclectic feel: this bird shade was rescued from a skip and then added to a glass base from John Lewis.

If you use this space to do your make up, maybe at a dressing table, then choose a brighter light for the main light. I find I need this when getting ready so have chosen a bright white 1960s shade.

6. Bedding

There is so many lovely linen sets out there from budget places like The Range to more luxurious such as Laura Ashley. I personally choose white Egyptian cotton (feels so nice!) then I layer on vintage cushions and eiderdowns. Mix the vintage cushions with modern ones – choose patterned old ones in barkcloth and silk then team them up with plain background styles.

I have added vintage brooches to these Laura Ashley cushions for a bit of extra sparkle!

7. Colour

Now everyone has a different take on the right colour for the bedroom. Greys and mushrooms really create a relaxing space but interestingly the dark red we have in our spare room is the most relaxing of all. As it is darker, I seem to sleep better! In both rooms, I have chosen a colour that appears only slightly in the featured wallpaper rather than going for the obvious colour.

8. Floors and Rugs

Choose fluffy carpet to warm up your bedroom – let’s face it, a rich carpet is so luxurious. I have painted floorboards throughout and have chosen fluffy rugs to add texture but also to keep my tootsies warm in the winter! Of course, you can find vintage ones which are often patterned such as Scandinavian Rya rugs, but I have chosen modern plain ones so they don’t compete with all the pattern already there!

9. Windows

Curtains or blinds? I have to admit I prefer blinds as there is something so clean and neat about them. However in a bedroom, I have chosen curtains – you can’t beat drawing them at the end of the day. Whatever you decide, choose black out ones so you don’t wake up with the lark!

10. The Finishing Touches

Now this is where is gets fun! If you have a dressing table, how about filling vintage glass pots with your jewellery? Add old perfume bottles and framed photos of your family to make you smile.

I love my coloured art glass and have it out on display on most surfaces. Choose a colour that matches your scheme then add pieces in a similar hue. I try and make it slightly symmetrical with the larger piece in the centre.

In both rooms I have saved a piece of original vintage wallpaper and framed it. It is so hard to find lots of the same pattern, so saving a tiny piece on show is always nice.

How about having your favourite shoes out on show? Similar to my vintage bag wall, I have a shoe wall too! These are simply IKEA shelves, nice and plain so my wonderful shoes stand out!