Hello my farmhouse loving friends! I can’t believe it but April is here and that means it’s time for the bimonthly Lifestyle of Love Hop! The theme this month is favorite antique furniture. I had a really hard time choosing just one favorite but decided on the beds. So today’s post is how to style and highlight a charming antique bed. The other bloggers have shared different items which are at the bottom of this post. Let’s go. It’s a throw your hat over the windmill kinda day!
How to Style and Highlight a Charming Antique Bed
We are lucky enough to have 4 beautiful antique beds at the farmhouse. Let’s start with the queen size bed the Mister and I sleep in. We’d both have a much better nights sleep with a king but there’s no way one would fit. So I just make the best of it.
You might get tired of never being able to move the bed around to a new wall or think there’s only so much you can do with it – period. But with just a few changes, you can have a whole new vibe. Here’s the bed on a normal farmhouse summertime day.
Hang a vintage awning over the headboard and small needle point artwork over side table.
White bedding is always my favorite look. Will probably be like that forever. You can add color with pillow cases, sheets, throw pillows or extra quilts at the bottom but white on white is my favorite as is keeping what’s on top simple. That’s because the Mister throws things over to the bench and if there’s a lot, they end up on the floor. 🙁
Hang a shelf but add something fun underneath. Like a magazine rack with flowers instead.
This white shelf is the first thing we ever hung over the bed. Actually one was already there but it was much longer. When we first started taking care of the farmhouse years ago, there were these shelves in every room. They hung everywhere and were weighted down with all kinds of things. Things like mason jars filled with nails, oil lamps, clothes patterns and gloves, old hats, baby shoes, etc. I couldn’t believe the amount of items stuffed on every shelf. But in Granny Hattie’s defense there is no storage here. Like none.
Vintage shutters are always easy to decorate.
Then I found this vintage shutter. I’m always on the look out for something different to hang over the bed. My favorite piece is the awning (a couple of photos back) which will be staying for a long while because it needed extra help and took the Mister longer to hang than the shelf or this vintage shutter. I’d feel terrible if I asked him to change it out so quickly. But if I come across something else, I’ll just have to smile and ask sweetly. 😉
Besides changing what hangs over the bed I like to add a little something different to the lamps and side tables. My side always has more goodies. He prefers his side to be as empty as possible for all the crap necessities he has to plug in at night. I prefer the pretties.
Keep it simple when the walls are busy.
In the Desi and Lucy bedroom where the twin beds are, the wallpaper is super busy so things are kept pretty simple in there too. I do add seasonal decor during the holidays on the mirrored window and on the door but this is pretty much how it looks everyday.
For some reason the beds remind me of hospital beds. Some years back they were sandblasted and repainted to remove the rust. Even with the crazy busy wallpaper it’s my second favorite room. It’s the challenge of finding the right decor for the walls and the right colors for any added decoration.
When I decided on the empty frames, it felt perfect for busy wallpaper. I can highlight different things inside them or leave one empty. They make it super easy to change the look.
Hang a shutter like an awning instead of just being flat against the wall.
This one is my favorite bedroom to style and highlight. It’s the largest of the 3 and has more opportunities for rearranging furniture. This is the full size bed. I’m not sure you can tell from the photos but this one is really high too. I hung another antique shutter over it but we angled it like an awning. You can hang curtains underneath or around it for extra coziness. It’s so pretty during Christmas when it has garland and lights hanging from it.
So to recap how to style and highlight a charming antique bed, hang things over the headboard that are different. Think outside the box. Shutters, windows, awnings, all make beautiful additions.
Add color with sheets, pillow cases and extra quilts at the bottom.
And don’t forget about the side tables. Don’t keep them open just for a bottle of water or your phone, add pretties so you smile when you roll over and open those eyes. Have fun with it and bring out your personality.
Next up is my friend Lora Bloomquist. I always adore how she decorates and you will love her vintage lockers!
Cindy,
I love your quilt and bed. You can’t beat the charm of antiques and vintage pieces.
Author
So true! As rickety as some are, I don’t think I could part with them. 🙂 Thank you Rachel.
Cindy, I love your use of shutters on your windows. That larger bedroom with the slanted shutter is a fabulous idea. I’d love a queen bed instead of a king at our home in Maine, but I’d never get any sleep, LOL. Happy Easter!
Author
That’s funny Ann because I’d get much better sleep with a king! Thanks so much. Happy Easter!
I absolutely love all of the ideas. We sleep in a queen bed as well. I’d love a king, but hubby refuses on that one. I always love hearing the Lucy reference to the twin bedroom. Each and every room is so cozy and charming.
Author
LOL, if I slept on a queen bed here at our everyday house, I’d be a walking zombie! No way am I doing that. Thanks bunches Christy. Happy Easter.
They are all so pretty and cozy. I love your farmhouse it always reminds me of the summers I spent with my aunt and grandmother. Have a glorious Easter.
Author
Hope you had a wonderful Easter Marlene. Ours was fabulous. All the kids were here so my heart was full. And thank you for the sweet words. I am always hoping someone will have good memories of the place like I do. When my sister and I would visit my grandmother in San Antonio for the summer we spent it at the Motel her sister owned! It was so much fun. She served us drinks in the jewel toned aluminum cups with a matching pitcher. Funny what we remember.
Your antique bed headboard is gorgeous, and you’ve really accessorized with wonderful bedding. Just a simple quilt in seasonal colors and pillows is the perfect look. Both our girls had antique iron beds growing up and we loved the look. And the wallpaper…. LOVE it. The empty frames are just the right amount of interest. Thanks for hosting, Cindy. Have a great Easter!!
Author
Thank you Debra. It’s my favorite room because of the white painted wood floors and the wall paper. It’s “L” shaped which makes it unique and cozy. Hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Your bedroom awning has always been my favorite! But I do love me a good, old shutter, too; so many options! Your twin bed room is cottage adorable with that floral wallpaper and the vintage beds; too cute, indeed! So much fun seeing everyone’s favorite furniture today!
Author
It really was fun to see everyone’s choices. I need a bigger house because I want to find more vintage or antique pieces!!! 🙂 Thanks bunches Lora.
Such a fun post and yes I love your beautiful headboard! Pinning your cute styling ideas!
Author
Thanks bunches friend.
What a lovely post. That is great! If you are interested in a mattress for these antique beds, give us a ring.
We are a family business since 1902 making mattresses and box springs for antique beds.
https://mycustombedding.com/
Author
Thank you Mindy. If we hadn’t just bought one, I would have loved to work with you. We shop local and try and use family owned businesses as much as possible. Have a great weekend.