Decorative antiques are so much more than just beautiful pieces – they start conversations, evoke memories, and connect today with yesterday like nothing else can. Here are our top tips for displaying antique collections and individual pieces so your house feels like a home and not a museum. So, whether you have a single Art Deco vase, or a collection of cranberry glassware, we’ll show you how to show them at their best.
Displaying antique and vintage collections
The objects we choose to collect are limited only by our imagination so it can pay to get creative with your display ideas! Here are just a few ideas to inspire:
Kitchenware – antique and vintage crockery can be displayed on open shelving, to create an impact or, if your collection consists of mainly tableware, then why not hang them together to create a feature wall? And remember if your collection is mismatched, it doesn’t matter! Eclectic collections have a story to tell and as their curator, you should be proud to show them off, adding your own chapter to them overtime.
Artwork – vintage prints and antique paintings can be used to cover a wall. Mixing sizes and styles of frame will let you showcase pieces from across the ages in different styles and mediums. But don’t stop at prints and paintings. Why not introduce textiles into your display and mix in some vintage tapestries or antique embroidered pieces too? This will add texture and depth to the display.
Advertising collectables – perennially popular, particularly vintage enamel signs, advertising collectables can be grouped together by type and wall-hung or grouped on a kitchen dresser. Biscuit tins can look impactful when stacked in a display too.
Tips for displaying collections of decorative antiques
• Psychology tells us that odd numbers are comforting to the eye so create groupings of three or five items.
• Where your collection is larger than your display area, consider splitting your collection into smaller groups and display them around your space – perhaps on different floors in your home, in different rooms or even on separate tables in the same room.
• Use furniture pieces for display – a themed vignette such as a collection of antique vesta cases will look stunning on an antique bookcase, while displaying pieces on an antique sideboard can really unify a mix of items.
• Consider grouping pieces from a collection by colour, or height. This will bring cohesion to the collection and make it feel more curated.
• Never be afraid to mix the old with the new! Your antique collections will look just as good in your new-build home as in a period property – this juxtaposition of eras can create an eclectic and inspirational home.
• For particularly large collections, consider rotating your favourites throughout the seasons. This will keep your space feeling fresh and reduce the risk of overcrowding which can dilute the impact of the collection.
Displaying individual decorative antiques
The nature of decorative antiques lends itself to displays of collections. However, there are some decorative antiques that can be displayed by themselves, to great effect.
Antique vases – individual antique vases, and antique lamps, can be stylishly incorporated into any setting by mixing them with modern elements. Pair a mid-century Whitefriars vase with a Regency side table, for example, to create visual interest and to stop your interior feeling dated.
Antique photograph frames – an individual silver frame on a modern shelf or side table will be striking where it may otherwise become overwhelmed as part of a collection. On this occasion, less is definitely more.
Tips for displaying individual decorative antiques
• Use lighting to your advantage – the right lighting can transform a single framed print from looking lost and forlorn, into a true focal point. Spotlights or picture lights will draw attention to individual pieces of artwork and work equally well with antique mirrors.
• Create a story around your decorative antique – whether you have an inherited piece or a flea market find, display individual pieces to reflect their intended use. A vintage typewriter or a vintage telephone will look totally at ease on a writing desk while Grandma’s original weighing scales will look right at home in the heart of your home – the kitchen.
Decorative antiques from Hemswell Antique Centres
Decorative antiques are the perfect way to inject personality and character into a space, turning a house into a home. How we display them can add a whole other layer to our enjoyment of them.
At Hemswell Antique Centres we have over 300 dealers who have curated a collection of beautiful decorative antiques online that are perfect for the start of your collecting journey or simply for adding to an existing collection.
If you have any questions about any of our online items, please contact the team by email or telephone on 01427 668 389.
