Early fall is a great time to think about reimagining your home office. I have noticed that nowadays office decor tends to be uniform and pretty much all look the same. Most of all, I feel like the majority of offices these days scream modernity. However, if you’re not so much into the modern look, let’s dive straight into incorporating vintage style into your workspace.Â
In this post, I will cover some decor ideas and tips for adding vintage flair to your home office. Readers will learn about different ways of creating a vintage office space for a nice and cozy, yet creative and inspiring environment.
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Creating retro office decor doesn’t have to be a difficult endeavor. Even with just a few decor accessories, such as a floor lamp or a vintage office desk, we can achieve a wonderful office setup reminiscent of the old days.Â
I’ve put together a list of tips for beginners looking to transform their space using vintage office decor.
It’s not a must to go all out with vintage-inspired office design, at least not in the beginning. Start small by adding vintage desk accessories, such as:Â
These small vintage desk accessories will make a world of difference when displayed correctly. My advice is to not clutter the workspace too much, thus not only creating a better environment for concentration but also better displaying the unique vintage pieces.
For a more extensive list of vintage office decor products, see my blog post covering 23 must-have vintage office decor items.
Source: clarkyoconnell (Instagram)
Create a vintage office space instantly by throwing in even just one or two antique-style statement pieces, whether it be a Queen Anne-style armchair or a vintage typewriter. Look for antique or antique-style pieces on online marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, or Facebook Marketplace.Â
Place the statement piece in a visible enough spot, ensuring it’s fully displayed so that it’s the first thing a person notices when they enter the room.
Though textiles such as rugs or curtains may feel like expendable pieces for an office, they will unify the overall vintage vibe of the room. I would suggest looking for vintage patterns and colors depending on the particular style to be achieved.Â
These could be bold colors or oriental, geometric, or floral patterns. For example, for a 1970s-style office, I would even go for all-over carpeting.
While a vintage rug is typically between 20 and 50 years old, something more antique of 80-100 years old will also work perfectly if it fits the rest of the decor. But let’s be real – who’s going to throw a 100-year-old rug into an office? The great thing about vintage office textiles is that they don’t have to actually be old, but look old. The same applies to other textiles – curtains, throw pillows, or upholstery.
What’s a bold color that you’ve always wanted to paint the walls of a room in your home but felt was too much? Is it yellow? Hot pink? Electric blue? Make your workspace stand out with a lively-colored wall and pair it with a nice antique desk and chair and a couple of vintage accessories.Â
This vintage home office nook by Alice Palmer & Co is proof that the outcome will look fab:
Source: Alice Palmer & Co (Instagram)
Is your home office (like mine) merely a corner in your living room? Painting a part of the wall a statement color and adding a trim will be a nice way to separate your workspace from your living space.
The right lighting can add lots of ambiance to old-fashioned office decor. Depending on the vintage style of your office, go for wall sconces, an antique-style hanging lamp, or a Tiffany-inspired vintage floor lamp.
If possible, I’d recommend keeping the lights a bit dimmed for a cozier feel, that is, if the nature of your work allows it.
Vintage office decor is not just about vintage furniture or accessories, but also about the atmosphere. And what better way to create an old-style atmosphere than with some oldies music?Â
Now, of course, it would be ideal to play oldies on an antique gramophone, but a YouTube playlist will do just fine. Pick music that suits your favorite era and the overall look of the office, and let it play subtly in the background for a complete vintage feel.
Those looking to achieve vintage office decor can easily draw inspiration from movies set in the past, such as, for example, the Wolf of Wall Street. When watching a period film, pay attention to the vintage office furniture and accessories to get inspired and create your own vintage home office abode.
I’m a big advocate of gallery walls and decorating with all art in general, because it’s such a quick and easy way to transform a space. You can either invest in ready-to-frame posters or find artwork in digital format to download and print.Â
The great thing about wall art is that you can just get a set of various-sized frames and replace the prints inside according to your mood or season, and thanks to this your space will always feel fresh.
Source: @collinsandgreenart (Instagram)
Pick a theme or don’t pick one at all – as long as all the art is vintage or antique, use it. You can hang artwork that’s related to your job for inspiration – for example, if you’re a food blogger, create a gallery wall using vintage food posters. I mean, there are just so many ways to be creative here.
A paper screen or an antique-style tapestry can be an amazing way to add a bold vintage twist to your office space.Â
Pick whatever theme you like:
and hang it behind your desk or in any other prominent spot.
Source: @robertkime (Instagram)
An antique-inspired tapestry could be beautifully complemented by an antique desk and a banker’s lamp.
Let’s explore the topic of incorporating vintage office decor into your home office by answering some of the most commonly asked questions.
A vintage desk, floor lamp, desk lamp, vintage office chair, rotary phone, or a vintage filing cabinet are some common vintage decor items that will work in a home office.
Find affordable vintage decor for your home office on Etsy, Amazon, Antique Farmhouse, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, but also look for garage sales, estate sales, and thrift shops in your area.
Declutter your space, getting rid of old papers and cluttered decorations. Leave only a few vintage office decor elements, including statement pieces such as a vintage office armchair, rotary phone, or vintage filing cabinet. Hide anything that is not used on a regular basis away in a closet. This way, all the vintage pieces will stand out without cluttering the space.
Some of the best-suited vintage decor styles for a home office include mid-century modern, rustic, industrial, and Art Deco. However, the choice of vintage office decor will largely depend on personal preferences and the overall look and feel of the home.
Deciding to incorporate vintage elements into a home office is a wonderful idea for all those who appreciate history and the past. There are many ways to decorate your office in vintage style, whether through vintage furniture or even by playing vintage music for an extra oldies vibe. I hope that this post will help vintage decor enthusiasts create the vintage home office of their dreams.Â
