No one wants to live in an outdated space, but that doesn’t mean all things old have to go. Mixing the old with the new can add a lot of character to your home. This is great news for those of you who love vintage, because trends from the past keep showing up over and over, and in your home, retro is, well, a trend. Styles of the ’70s and ’80s are affordable and totally boss this year — and we’re not talking about bright green shag rugs or harvest gold appliances. There are lots of ways to bring a blast from the past into your home with a few modern twists.
More, More, More (How Do You Like It?)
If you’re not into the minimalist style that has ruled our roosts for the past couple of decades, then maximalism is for you. Rich fabrics, bright colors, and lots of décor, doodads, art, and layers (think pillows on a blanket on a couch) are a modern way of bringing the Danish concept of hygge — meaning a mood of coziness, with feelings of comfort and contentment and a love of company and friendship — into our American homes.
I’ve Got My Orange Crush
Oh yes, orange is back in a big way this year. From small accents like throw pillows and art to large focal pieces like a statement wall or sofa, working orange into your décor scheme harkens back to the 1970s. Keep it modern by pairing with neutrals (instead of avocado green!). Can you dig it?
Metal Health
Brass, chrome, and gold fixtures remind us of the ‘80s, and not always in a good way. To bring them into the now, use metals sparingly, and make sure they are super shiny. Pieces that use multiple metals together are especially hot. Think lamps and lighting fixtures that combine different metal finishes (like gold and silver) together, mix-and-match drawer pulls, and small accent tables.
Velvet Goldmine
Velvet has made a comeback this year: It’s once again a hot textile for chairs, sofas, bed coverings, and headboards. Fringe and even pom-poms are also showing up on lampshades and curtains, and are fun for kids’ rooms. Dy-no-mite!
Rock On
Move over, marble, there’s a new element in town: Rustic concrete is making a big splash in kitchens and bathrooms, as farmhouse, bucket, or trough sinks; countertops; and even in lighting fixtures. Decorated and stamped concrete was invented in the late 1970s and taken up by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, and its introduction inside the home is a natural progression. It’s heat resistant, resists chipping and scratching, requires the barest of maintenance, and when properly sealed, is resistant to bacteria. If you’re imagining a slab of driveway inside your home, put that thought aside: New methods of acid staining, tinting, and embedded design elements are just some of the choices for dressing up your concrete fixtures and making them a fancy focal point of any room.
Groovy, Baby
Choose big patterns featuring close-ups of flowers and big concentric circles. Use geometric shapes in the kitchen and bathroom and for accents in the living room and bedroom. Put florals and jungle prints in unexpected places, like your kitchen backsplash.
Pro tip: With the advent of peel-and-stick wallpaper, it’s easy to bring trendy bold patterns to your walls — and even your ceilings. Plus, you can easily change your room’s look without the awful mess of removing old wallpaper with harsh chemicals. Choose vinyl for your kitchen or bathroom to make a quick change and bring in a whole new feel to those rooms.
We can’t wait until the ’90s are back in fashion, and beige, plaid, sponge painting, and pine take over our homes once more. (Just kidding! Seriously, seriously kidding.) Catch you on the flipside!