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Are you looking for ways to elevate your home into a mid-century retro design aesthetic, but don’t know where to start? Then this article is for YOU!
Retro style refers to a design or fashion aesthetic that draws inspiration from trends, motifs, and elements of past decades, typically from the mid-20th century. There are so many interpretations of retro design and often times it is described as a very eclectic sense of style.
It often evokes nostalgia for a particular era or time period. It can feature bold colors, unique patterns, and iconic design elements that stand out from modern styles. You can get super creative with the kinds of retro home decor there is and really express your style and personality. This article will highlight retro home decor ideas that you can include into your living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and more!
Here are retro interior design ideas that you can incorporate into your own space:
Retro Home Decor Ideas
1. Retro Color Palette
Retro home decor features such bold, vibrant, and statement colors and it is important to incorporate these types of colors if you want to evoke a retro style home.
Some colors that would be amazing to use in your retro house include:
Mustard Yellow: A warm and rich yellow reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s.
Avocado Green: A muted green popular in the 1970s, often associated with appliances and kitchen decor.
Burnt Orange: A deep orange with brown undertones, frequently used in furniture and textiles during the retro era.
Teal: A blue-green shade that adds a pop of color and was common in upholstery and decor accents.
Chocolate Brown: A warm and earthy brown often used for furniture and wood paneling.
Poppy Red: A vibrant and bold red, commonly seen in retro kitchen appliances and accessories.
Aqua: A light and refreshing blue-green shade that brings a sense of nostalgia to any room.
Pastel Pink: A soft and delicate pink reminiscent of the 1950s, often used in bathrooms and bedrooms.
Baby Blue: A light and airy blue that adds a touch of retro charm to walls or accessories.
Olive: A muted green with grey undertones, often found in upholstery fabrics and draperies.
These colors can be used individually or combined to create a cohesive retro-inspired color scheme for your home decor. Additionally, incorporating vintage patterns and textures can further enhance the retro vibe of your space (more on this later in the article!)
2. Opt for Retro-style Furniture Pieces
Retro furniture refers to furniture pieces that are inspired by or directly sourced from past decades, typically the mid-20th century. These pieces often reflect the design trends and aesthetics of specific eras, such as the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Going to antique shops or thrift stores might be the way to go for this (and you can find some really great vintage pieces at a great price) however you can also find retro-inspired decor at a more modern furniture store or online!
You can go for a neutral retro design with nice camel brown furniture like the picture above or opt for a color from the retro color palette like this gorgeous olive-colored sofa below:
Certain furniture pieces have become iconic symbols of retro design, such as the Eames Lounge Chair, the Saarinen Tulip Table, and the Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen. These pieces are highly recognizable and synonymous with the mid-century modern aesthetic. HOWEVER, they are insanely expensive. Here are some dupes I found on Amazon that can achieve the same mid-century retro aesthetic for significantly cheaper:
3. Utilize Retro style Patterns
One of the best retro home decor ideas! Retro patterns are specific designs that were popular in past decades, particularly during the mid-20th century. Some popular retro patterns used in home decor include:
Geometric Prints: Geometric patterns were a hallmark of retro design, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. This category includes designs such as: Mod circles, checkerboard, optical illusion patterns, or chevron.
Floral Prints: Floral patterns were popular in retro design, especially during the 1950s and 1960s. Retro floral prints often feature stylized flowers and foliage in bright colors against a contrasting background. Common floral patterns include: daisies, hawaiian, psychedelic flowers. You can opt for bold wallpaper patterns using floral like the image below!
Stripes and Polka Dots: Stripes and polka dots are timeless retro patterns that have been popular throughout the decades.
Abstract and Psychedelic Patterns: Abstract and psychedelic designs were prevalent during the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the era’s experimental and unconventional spirit. These patterns include: swirls and spirals, kaleidoscopic, tie-dye
Atomic and Space Age Patterns: Inspired by the Space Age and futuristic visions of the mid-20th century, atomic patterns feature: starbursts, rocket ships, planets and moons
4. Accessorize with Retro Decor
Accessorizing your space with retro decor can be so fun and such a creative way to add some retro aesthetic into your home space! You can choose iconic retro accessories such as Eames-style chairs, vintage rotary phones, lava lamps, atomic-inspired clocks, the list goes on!
If you’re a big vintage or antique shopper, you can use this opportunity and showcase your personal collection of retro collectibles, memorabilia, and vintage finds to add character and nostalgia to your decor. Display items like vinyl records, retro toys, classic board games, vintage cameras, and kitschy knick-knacks on shelves, mantels, and tabletops.
Absolutely don’t be afraid to mix different retro styles and eras to create a unique and eclectic look. Combine mid-century modern furniture with funky 1970s accessories or pair retro-inspired patterns with contemporary decor elements for a modern twist.
Some retro accessories that are on Amazon to inspire you:
5. Bring Retro to your Wall Space
Probably one of the best retro home decor ideas! The options are endless with this one. You can choose a gallery wall which showcases vintage art prints from different eras. You can find one or two large retro pattern prints, frame them and add them over your sofa or bed. OR, you can even find removeable wall paper that showcases some really great retro-inspired patterns!
Here are some really great retro-inspired wall art that you can add to your wall!:
6. Retro-style Kitchen? Yes Please!
Designing a retro kitchen can be super fun!! Again, there are different types of eras when it comes to retro aesthetic, so choose an era that best reflects what you like! Here are some ideas to start out with:
Popular retro colors include pastel hues like pink, mint green, and baby blue for a 1950s diner-inspired look, or bold, vibrant colors like avocado green, mustard yellow, and burnt orange for a 1970s vibe.
Invest in retro-style appliances that evoke the charm of past decades while offering modern functionality. Look for vintage-inspired refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers with rounded edges, chrome accents, and colorful finishes. Brands like Smeg and Big Chill offer a range of retro-style appliances in various colors and designs.
Decorate your kitchen with retro-inspired accessories and decor elements that add personality and nostalgia to the space. Hang vintage-inspired posters, signs, and advertisements on the walls, display retro kitchenware and appliances on open shelves or countertops, and incorporate vintage-inspired textiles like curtains, dish towels, and rugs
Here are some really cute retro-inspired kitchen accessories that you can purchase on Amazon:
7. Incorporate Different Fabrics and Textures
Lots of retro furniture encompass various kinds of textural components! You can use this idea when you decorate your retro home.
Velvet was a popular fabric in retro decor, particularly during the mid-20th century. Choose velvet accent chairs, sofas, or throw pillows in bold retro colors
Shag carpeting was a quintessential element of 1970s retro decor. You can try incorporating a shag rug or carpet in neutral tones like beige or brown to add warmth and texture to your retro-inspired space.
Or choose furniture with different kinds of texture like the tufted sofa in the last image!
8. Mix and Match Furniture
Mix and matching furniture just sorta fits into the retro home aesthetic for it’s naturally eclectic and funky style!
Retro decor often reflects the eclectic and diverse design trends of past decades, where people would mix and match furniture styles, materials, and finishes. By incorporating a variety of furniture pieces, you can achieve a very unique retro design style!
Mix and match furniture allows you to personalize your space and infuse it with your unique style and personality. Retro decor embraces individuality and creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of furniture pieces to create a look that feels uniquely yours.
You can learn more about how to mix and match bedroom furniture pieces here
9. It’s the Little Details that Matter
If you love the retro decor but do not want to go overboard with it, then modern retro aesthetic may be the way to go for you! That is, you have an overall modern decorated space with a sprinkle of retro details here and there! This can be done very tastefully and the results can be exceptional!
You can add retro decor to your wall a subtle manner such as the records on the wall with the geometric pattern shaped wall paper behind the bookshelf! Or you can get really subtle by just adding retro colored furniture to your living room space!
There you go! Here are some retro interior design ideas to inspire you to decorate your home space! Again, you can get very creative with this so it’s important to figure out what works best with your interests and design style! Hope this article inspired you and gave you some retro home decor ideas to incorporate into your own home!
