Achieve a vintage look with a white wrought iron bed frame.
Authenticity is the most important part of decorating an old-fashioned bedroom. Obtaining authentic vintage materials is best, but even if you're unable to find vintage accessories, you can still recreate an old-fashioned look with modern materials. If you're looking for ideas or further inspiration, looking through interior design books that show trends throughout the centuries is a good starting point. You can also consult with older family members who might have advice -- and even a few vintage pieces to give you. Does this Spark an idea?
Materials
Choose the right materials to decorate with. For bedrooms emulating a turn of the 20th century look, natural materials like wood, porcelain and nonsynthetic fibers like cotton are most appropriate. Midcentury bedrooms will still have a lot of natural materials, but some synthetic fibers like polyester might be used in the furniture. Shop at antique and vintage stores whenever possible to look for accessories that fit with your chosen time period. Choose a few vintage accessories like antique vases, old black and white photographs and vintage lamps. Keep your accessories minimal to reduce clutter and call attention to the vintage items you have chosen. Less is more.
Colors
Research the colors popular for the time period you're trying to emulate. If your "old fashioned bedroom" is a copy of a 1950's bedroom, think pink or mint green for your wall paint. If your period bedroom is emulating a time period closer to the turn of the 20th century, more natural colors like gray blues and creams may be appropriate. Some time periods were more likely to have wallpaper on the walls. Make sure that the vintage accessories you choose for your room also match this color scheme.
Architecture
Old-fashioned homes were generally very well constructed, and often more attention was paid to detail than is done today. If you're completely redesigning your bedroom, consider installing a hand-carved crown molding or a chair rail, or perhaps a recessed, hand-crafted book shelf on one wall. In addition, the treatment of the floors should be authentic. Early 20th-century bedrooms were more likely to have hardwood floors and perhaps a rug. Midcentury bedrooms were more likely to have carpet.
Furniture
Use a white wrought iron bed frame to create a midcentury look or a wooden four poster with sheer curtains for early 20th-century theme. Furniture should be purchased from a vintage store or handmade to look vintage. Use good quality woods -- remember, old furniture was built to last. Other furniture items, like dressers, an armoire or chairs, should likewise have hand-carved details, and all furniture should be made from nonsynthetic materials.
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