Use Vintage Pieces in Contemporary Places

Kitchens and bathrooms come with a list of must-haves: sinks, storage, counters and plumbing. You can't get away from the essentials, but that doesn't mean these rooms have to look like everyone else's.

One of the easiest ways to give a hard-working room real personality is to bring in a vintage piece of furniture. Here is how repurposed pieces can transform a contemporary remodel, where to find them and what to plan for.

1. Vintage: When Old Is New Again

A dressing table, dresser, sideboard or wooden side table can stand in for a standard bathroom vanity, a kitchen island or even a coffee bar. The result is something wholly unexpected in a room that is usually filled with stock cabinetry.

Repurposing also gives new life to pieces that might otherwise sit in storage. For example, cutting off the back legs of a sideboard and mounting it to the bathroom wall creates a floating, furniture-style vanity with plenty of character.

Ideas to consider

• Bathroom vanity: An antique dresser fitted with a vessel or undermount sink.
• Kitchen island: A sturdy farm table or buffet with a new counter surface.
• Coffee or beverage bar: A sideboard or hutch with open shelving above.
• Powder room accent: A small side table converted into a compact sink stand.

2. Where to Find the Right Piece

If you don't already have a piece in mind at home, there are plenty of places to look:

• Antique and architectural salvage shops
• Estate sales and used furniture stores
• Furniture recycling warehouses
• Habitat for Humanity's Hall County ReStore

Look for solid wood construction, a top that is the right height (or can be made the right height) and enough depth to fit a sink and plumbing.

3. A Little TLC Goes a Long Way

To fully integrate a vintage piece into your new space, it will probably need some work: sanding, a fresh coat of paint or stain, and perhaps new hardware. A protective finish is especially important in a bathroom or kitchen where water and humidity are part of daily life.

4. Plan for Sinks, Plumbing and Structure

Once the piece is chosen and refinished, decide whether you want a sink that sits on top of it (a vessel sink) or one mounted into the surface. Don't forget the plumbing: drawers or enclosed spaces below may need to be cut away or reworked to make room for supply lines and drains.

Some of these projects are straightforward, but a design-build firm can make sure the structure, waterproofing and plumbing are all sound so your one-of-a-kind piece lasts. Learn more about our bathroom remodels and kitchen remodels.

Bring Character Into Your Remodel

Sometimes all a space needs is a little creativity and a fresh look at what you already own. A vintage piece can take a bathroom or kitchen from basic to beautiful and make it feel truly yours.

Need help deciding how to liven up your bathroom or kitchen? Call Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling at 678-450-1700 or reach us through our contact form.