How to Style Your Home With Vintage Leather

There is something comforting about vintage leather. Its timeless appeal reminds us of bygone days. With an authentic lived-in look, it carries a sense of craftsmanship that can be difficult for modern leather to replicate. If you are a hopeless nostalgic, we think you will love incorporating vintage leather furniture into your home.

What is vintage leather?

Authentic vintage leather is real leather that has aged over time. As the years go by, it develops a unique character and patina, adding to its value and charm. Unlike new leather, which tends to be stiff and uniform, timeworn leather is soft and imperfect.

After being exposed to elements like sunlight, air, and human touch over the years, it develops unique marks and patterns. Its natural imperfections are like a fingerprint, you will never find two identical vintage leather pieces.

Vintage leather often refers to pieces that are 20 to 100 years old and can date back to the 1930s. Anything older than that is considered antique. It features deep rich browns all the way through to tan and is popular with expressive people who love to celebrate character.

What are some popular vintage leather furniture pieces?

The marks and textures on vintage leather furniture tend to attract the eye. That is why most people use aged leather in feature or accent furniture pieces. It is the perfect choice for statement:

- Leather sofas
- Cosy armchairs
- Bold office chairs
- Retro ottomans.

8 Ways to style your home with vintage leather furniture.

Classical leather furniture pieces can add warmth, texture, and richness to both traditional and modern homes. Most vintage lovers start with one feature piece to create a mood and then build their design theme around it.

Remember that vintage leather tells a story. Lean into its unique features and complement its rugged characteristics with other design elements in your space.

1. Mix textures.

You can create a layered and inviting look by combining rustic leather with other textured materials, such as wool, linen, wood, and exposed brick. A worn leather sofa pairs perfectly with a chunky rug and an industrial concrete coffee table.

2. Use neutral colour palettes.

Vintage leather often features warm, earthy brown tones that lend themselves well to neutral colour schemes. Warm white, grey, and beige tones can highlight weathered leather's natural beauty without overwhelming it.

Think about styling your old-fashioned brown leather couch with neutral or muted pillows. A black and white artwork housed in a timber frame can also add softness and visual interest to your space.

3. Play with patterns.

Continue the story that your historic leather pieces start telling. Be imaginative and think about how you can build upon the visual narrative with eye-catching patterns that match the era or theme. Cowhides seamlessly blend with the leather look. Geometric patterns also provide structure and contrast to old leather's organic aesthetic.

4. Have fun with vintage accessories.

Play with the vintage vibe by sourcing accessories such as rugs, cushions, lamps, pendant lights, coffee table books, and artwork inspired by the same period. For example, if your vintage piece emulates mid-century style, then pair it with other designs that take a nod to that era.

Reclaimed timber is also celebrated for its authentic wear-and-tear markings and can help you create a rustic look. You can also have fun mixing old and new, as long as you are creating a cohesive atmosphere. Metallic detailing is a great way to give your vintage space a contemporary edge.

5. Create contrast.

Vintage leather often has rich, dark tones which you will want to balance out with lighter elements. This prevents your room from looking heavy or dated. A brown leather sofa paired with a light-coloured rug, white walls, colourful art, and tall windows can keep your space feeling fresh, airy, and modern.

6. Celebrate the patina.

Remember that the patina and all of its imperfections create the charm of distressed leather. Avoid over-polishing your leather to try and make it look brand new. Celebrate its natural, aged aesthetic instead. In saying that, remember to protect your vintage piece from the natural elements. Direct sunlight can speed up ageing and wear out the fabric sooner than you might like.

7. Lean into the natural look.

Aged leather is a beautiful natural material with an earthy, lived-in feel. Lean into the natural look even further and surround your vintage piece with greenery and indoor plants. This will add a pop of colour to your space and help the room to breathe.

8. Create warmth.

Vintage leather often has warm undertones which can be accentuated by warm lighting. Make your space feel extra cozy by incorporating decorative lighting with a soft glow.

How to clean and maintain vintage leather.

Vintage leather is easy to care for. You do not need to spend lots of time polishing it, because it is meant to look worn. It only needs the occasional wipe to remove any residues that could speed up the ageing process, as well as regular dusting to keep it looking clean and tidy.

If you are trying to restore vintage leather, the first step is to remove any dirt or debris using a vacuum cleaner and a mild leather cleaner that gently removes dirt, grime, and other stains. A leather wax can then be applied as needed to soften scratch marks.

Where to find the best vintage leather furniture

It can be hard to find high-quality vintage leather furniture for sale. You may need to stroll or scroll through many different antique stores, special vintage shops, auction houses, estate sales, markets, and online marketplaces to find a piece that’s perfect for you.

Once you have found a style you like, you then need to check if it’s authentic and in good condition. When you’re buying second-hand, you ideally need to find a piece that’s comfortable and will have longevity in your home.

To make the process easier, Schots creates new furniture pieces that emulate the vintage look. Our pieces are made from long-lasting top-grain leather and hand-finished to replicate original styles.

For us, vintage is all about the details. Our leather is twisted by hand, creating an authentic crackle look, and often features antique brass studs over the stitching.

Our vintage-inspired leather furniture is also made for comfort. The seating is made from a high-quality foam core and wrapped in a feather overlay.

Schots vintage cigar leather has a deep brown, polished look with a deep crackle effect that continues to develop over time. Our vintage whiskey leather has a similar look but with a softer, buttery feel.

Vintage leather can add personality to any home.

Vintage-inspired leather furniture brings a sense of history and warmth to any home. Whether you are decorating a traditional home or a modern loft, vintage leather designs can be a timeless and enduring addition to your space.

If you need more inspiration or want to see the look and feel of leather in real life, come into our destination Clifton Hill store in Melbourne.