Retro furniture and color schemes are making a comeback. They’re used to create an old or vintage feel and revive a part of history. Different options may be employed in order to achieve a retro look of a home. Therefore, we’re presenting you with a list of design tricks you can use to lift up your interior style and give it a funky, retro vibe.
Retro color scheme
Saturated colors are your best friend if you’re introducing retro style into your home. The saturation of the color depends on its intensity and the dominance of a hue in the color. Retro colors are often less saturated – they’re more flat and muted. Introduce some wallpapers with a retro vibe to them, like geometrical shapes and colorful stripes. Add a pillow in buttercup yellow or implement curtains in burnt-orange and watch your place become reminiscent of past eras. Using more muted colors in your room gives you the opportunity to use some more saturated, richer ones as accents. A muted background can serve as a canvas onto which you can put splashes of colors, therefore adding visual weight to the room.
Vintage kitchen vibes
Contemporary kitchen appliances with a vintage look are a great solution for someone looking to transform their kitchen into a retro haven. The color palette is important here, so go for pastel-like colors, like buttercup yellow, mint green, turquoise or muted pink in order to get the old-fashioned appeal. Consider adding black and white tiles to your kitchen and drawing inspiration from American diners of the 1950s. Look for stools and diner-style chairs and be sure to include retro patterns such as polka dots for your kitchenware and gingham for curtains and tablecloths.
Funky accent furniture
Interiors need to have a strong focal point in order to create balance. If you’re going for a hippie-era look, you need to use elements that will also serve as focal points of the room, since they’ll be the first things everyone will notice. Vintage, mid-century furniture can be found in thrift shops, while online shops offer nostalgia-inspired pieces by replicating retro furniture. By opting for a funky accent egg chair and incorporating elements such as a round table and a ’70s-inspired sofa, you’re anchoring your room with key pieces thus giving it a touch of eclectic style.
Retro items and nostalgic memorabilia
There was a time when landline telephones were common in every home. Since they were fixed, you were bound to stand while talking, so some people were thoughtful and introduced benches into their entryways and living rooms. They would later be called gossip benches because of the nature of telephone conversations. Introduce one to make even your hallway feel retro. Vintage posters of music festivals and eclectic gallery walls celebrating famous artists from the ‘70s are sure to fill your space with nostalgia, while license plates, road signs, or framed vinyl albums will kick it up a notch and make your place even more retro. If you’d rather go for smaller vintage accessories, look for retro-inspired toys that are replicated in order to lend your space a touch of a yesteryear appeal.
Make your space feel groovy
One thing that is sure to serve as a great throwback to the ‘70s culture is, of course, music. Consider introducing jukebox or a retro record player to honor the era and play all your favorite music while you cook or entertain your guests. Since getting your hands on a vintage jukebox can be rather costly these days, there are many companies that design high-quality modern jukeboxes while retaining their vintage look. Vinyl records can still be found on flea markets and music stores, so if you somehow manage to get yourself a vintage record player, you can groove to your favorite music hits all day long!
Turning your home into a retro-inspired space doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. By following our tips, you are sure to give your place a vintage makeover that will feel welcoming and cozy to anyone who comes to visit.
About the author:
Chloe is a graduated journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.