Caring For Vintage Furniture

Your antiques are valuable in more measurements than money, so you want to keep them in the best possible condition for as long as you can. Whether it’s a family heirloom that has been passed down through several generations or a major find from a local antique store, preserving it is one of the most important things. There are several methods to caring for different material, and over time, these methods have been changed, but caring for vintage furniture isn’t difficult, as long as you remember the simple steps that are needed.

Temperature Matters

When a piece of furniture gets hot, it can cause it to shrink, which can lead to loosened glue joints and inlays. It’s best to keep antiques out of direct sunlight, and away from fireplaces, stoves, or heating units. Too much sunlight can discolor furniture, degrade wood and fabrics, and things with a clear finish will turn yellow, so if a room gets a great deal of sunlight, consider hanging some curtains to dilute the harsh sun.

Johnson Furniture Co.

Keep It Clean - The Right Way

A common misconception about vintage wood is that it dries out due to lack of oils, but it actually dries out because it needs moisture. Oils can actually speed up the process of degradation because it creates a film, which only collects more dust. You can use a humidifier to provide moisture to wood, just make sure that you don’t over-do it! Using polish can also degrade wood if it is silicone-based, because it leaves behind a film that is very difficult to remove. Try to dust the furniture regularly using a damp lint free rag- not a dry one, as it can actually scratch the surface!

Updating A Bedroom Space

The bedroom is a sanctuary. It is a place where you can sit back and relax after a long day at work. It is also place that one can call their own and personalize every aspect of the room in order to make it a perfect, relaxing space. As such, styles and preferences may change. Completely updating a bedroom every couple of years can be expensive. Purchasing new bedroom furniture, blankets, and accessories are just a few of the areas in which one may end up spending money.

Buy A Duvet (or 2)

However, it does not have to be that way! There are little expenditures and changes that can be made to personalize a room to better match one’s ever changing style. Instead of buying a completely new comforter set, a duvet can be bought instead. Because of the great prices that one can get on a duvet, the design and colors can be changed throughout the year to match the seasons. Even if one already has an old comforter with an ill fated design, do not throw it away - just cover it up with a duvet!

DIY Throw Pillows

Throw pillows can be expensive, especially for their size, easily costin $30-50 per throw pillow! There are great tutorials online to wrap an old pillow in new fabric without even a single stitch. If you do have a sewing machine, there are easy and cheap DIY pillow ideas. For example:

1. Find a cute, inexpensive placemat
2. Open the seam up on one side and fill with stuffing
3. Sew the end back together
4. VOILA! You have a brand new throw pillow!

It is little, inexpensive changes like this that can go a long way. Pinterest is full of ideas just waiting to be put into action.

Make Your Own Curtains

Curtains are another expenditure that can add up fast, with a single panel costing up to $50, even at lower end stores. There are a few tips and tricks for solid colored panels. Purchase iron on fabric or appliques to apply to the curtains to give them a new, updated vibe. One can even go hippy retro by tie dying cheap, white cover sheets or turn old, cute sheets into curtains with a few simple steps. Just fold over the top of the sheet and use iron-on seam tape to create an area for the rod to enter.

Upgrade Your Bed

All of the money that is saved on the design can go towards a bigger, better bed! Since hundreds of dollars were saved by not buying new comforters, curtains, pillows, and quilts, one can put their money towards a bed upgrade. The benefits and comfortability of a queen, or even better, a king sized bed, are more than worth the cost. Spread out and relax as you sink into the luxury of a new bed inside your bedroom oasis!