How to Mix Modern and Vintage Art in Your Home
Header image by The New York Times
Blending the best of both worlds for a layered, timeless look
When it comes to curating a home with soul, nothing adds character quite like mixing old and new. Pairing vintage artwork with contemporary pieces creates a thoughtful balance. An interior that feels collected, not just decorated. Here's how to confidently combine modern and vintage art for a space that tells your unique story.
1. Start with a Common Thread
Mixing styles doesn’t mean clashing. Choose a unifying element to ground your collection. This could be color palette, subject matter, frame tone, or scale. For example, a modern abstract in soft coastal hues can complement a vintage oil landscape if they share similar tones.
2. Create Visual Balance
Pay attention to the weight of each piece, visually and physically. A bold contemporary canvas can be balanced by a delicate vintage sketch on the opposite side of the room. When arranging on a gallery wall, alternate between modern and vintage to create rhythm and movement.
3. Don’t Be Afraid of Contrast
The contrast is part of the magic. A minimalist print can make an ornate gilded portrait feel even richer, while an antique still life can add gravity to a clean, modern vignette. Let each piece shine in its own way.
Photo by Maggie Kloss
4. Curate Like a Storyteller
Think of your home like a book. Each piece of art is a chapter. Mixing styles reflects the depth and evolution of your taste over time. Include art you’ve collected from travels, inherited from family, or discovered unexpectedly. The more personal, the better.
5. Be Intentional with Placement
Hang vintage art in clean-lined, modern rooms to avoid feeling dated. Likewise, add a splash of contemporary art to traditional settings to keep them from feeling too formal. Try a vintage etching in a modern powder room, or a bold abstract over an antique dresser.
6. Consider Reframing
Sometimes a new frame is all it takes to unify different styles. Reframing a vintage piece in a sleek wood or linen-wrapped frame can give it new life. Or add a touch of warmth to a modern print by framing it in antique brass or distressed wood.
7. Let the Art Lead
Above all, collect pieces you love. If you’re drawn to both a vintage seascape and a modern coastal abstract, there’s probably a way to make them live together in harmony. Trust your instincts! They’re the most important design element in your home.
Final Thoughts
The best interiors evolve over time. Mixing modern and vintage art creates depth, warmth, and a sense of lived-in beauty that no one-style gallery wall ever could. With a little intuition and a lot of heart, your walls will reflect the kind of home that’s both curated and deeply personal.
Looking for new coastal artwork? View our current collection HERE.