In most cases, vintage and antique furniture brings depth, character, and a sense of history to a room. But in the wrong room with the wrong design choices, even exceptional antique furniture pieces can look, well, cheap. Here, we highlight six common decorating mistakes that cheapen the look and feel of your beloved vintage and antique furniture and what you should do instead. Homeowner Anthony Brewington filled his 1940s cottage ’s living room with just that—a pair of 1980s red chairs and a patterned sofa from the 1920s. When you add too many antiques into one single space, you risk replicating the look of a junk shop.