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How To Create Retro Interior Design Style In Your Home

4 min read April 25, 2022 Jessica Wallaker
Retro Living Room Design

Have you ever wanted to look back in time? In the era of Andy Warhol and Beatlemania, when the songs of the famous four were on the radio nonstop and the first star appears on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? It was the sixties – one of the most cheerful eras of the last century. Exactly at that time, new technologies appeared in mass production, including lightweight and moldable plastics and polypropylene, which undoubtedly prompted designers to experiment with materials, forcing plastic, metal, and wood to take on unusual shapes to create original interior items.

History Of Amazing Retro Style

The era of the sixties was saturated with a special halo of romance, hope for a brighter future, and faith in grandiose changes. It was also marked by the emergence of new youth movements, and new styles in fashion, music, and art. A new way of life and the desire for everything new have become a prerequisite for the emergence of a special style in the interior, referred to today as “retro”. Despite the emergence of other styles, the retro style did not lose its relevance and changed a little every decade. Its popularity lasted from the 50s to the early 80s of the 20th century. But even today, many modern designers prefer this particular style for its brightness, originality, and non-triviality.

Key Elements Of Retro Style In The Interior

Original retro style is rooted in the color and design ethos of the ’60s and ’70s. What is this style expressed in? The main elements are vibrant colors, geometric prints, and futuristic furniture. The desire to create something extraordinary led to a variety of design experiments. In interior design, designers used a variety of colors that at first glance seemed incompatible with each other. In an unusual combination, materials such as plastic, glass, and wood were used, resulting in real works of art. Stylish round-shaped chairs and other original streamlined furniture made of wood, with shiny chrome and glossy details, fit perfectly into the overall picture and complemented it.

Retro Living Room Design Accents
Retro Living Room Design Blue
Retro Living Room Design Blue

Bright Psychedelic Colors

Styling an apartment as retro implies the presence of bright and saturated colors, and most importantly, their harmonious combination. All interior details should be chosen with taste and a sense of proportion. Non-standard shades are the hallmark of retro style – mint, mustard yellow, cherry red, or psychedelic colors, brightly acidic, too light, or, conversely, unexpectedly dark – all that will help add a jazzy mood to the interior. Combinations of brown with black and white, and blue with purple will also deliver a cheerful retro atmosphere. The combination of red and black with white is another well-known technique in the design of retro interiors, especially kitchens.

Wallpaper And Prints

For wall decoration, designers most often use wallpaper with interesting prints. The stylized canvas simplifies the finishing process. The color scheme is chosen to taste – it can be wallpaper in both pastel and bright colors. In some cases, designers decorate the walls with dark colors. Sometimes wall painting is preferred over wallpaper. In this case, several colors are used that are in perfect harmony with each other. For a change, plain walls can be complemented with brick trim to emphasize the spirit of antiquity.

Retro Living Room Design Art

Furniture And Decor

The main rule of retro style is to choose the most unusual and bright furniture. It should be angular, frilly, noticeable, and not very high. Each piece of furniture should have its own zest, which immediately catches the eye and attracts attention. Mid-century modern furniture is one hallmark of retro style, specifically with regard to pieces that are curved or angled and feature either bold hues or metals like chrome. As for accessories, the following elements can be distinguished for retro style: pillows with bright patterns and geometric prints, round floor carpets with various ornaments, vintage souvenirs, round wall clocks, tall floor lamps of complex shapes, colorful pots for indoor plants, wall posters, many photos and books on the shelves, light curtains with floral patterns, and other remarkable gizmos that add a retro touch to the living space.

The retro style is popular due to the vibrant mood. The rejection of standard solutions and boring design makes this style popular among those who appreciate individuality, brightness, and dynamics. This is the choice for those who are young at heart, those who seek to create a retro-chic atmosphere with elements of modern trends at home. Retro style in the interior is a bright attraction, a fresh and original look at familiar things.