Celebrate The Design Styles Of Yesteryear By Embracing Retro Style

Retro style is making a major comeback and is especially popular among millennials. We spoke with designers who reflected on the style’s origins and key elements and also offered advice for those looking to incorporate retro pieces into their own homes. The key? Not going overboard with retro items and mixing and matching finds from other eras, too.

Origins

If you associate retro style with the Mad Men era, you’re on the right track. Primarily, retro style “refers widely to the mid-century time frame, where we saw a lot of distinct styles come forth in colors, patterns, furniture and decor,” explains designer Eleanor Trepte. “Original retro style is rooted in the color and design ethos of the ’60s and ’70s, but faded away in the ’80s through early aughts as other, more contemporary design styles came into favor.”

However, this is not solely the case, designer Jonathan Rachman notes. “While a mid century modern interior may be a type of retro style, it is not always,” he says. Rather, retro style interiors may also reflect influences of art deco, Rococo style, or other design elements of the past, he explains.

Key Characteristics

As noted, 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, Trepte says.

Retro style is also known for the use of particular hues—”think about avocado green or psychedelic colors,” Rachman notes. Other popular retro colors include mustard yellow, orange, and cherry red, says Trepte. And don’t forget about pattern and texture galore, she adds, citing bold wallpaper and shag rugs as key examples.

Decorating Tips

Rachman advises those designing a retro style space to practice moderation. “Unless you are trying to do a movie or theater set to be historically accurate, please don’t take the retro style into a level that it becomes theatrical,” he states. Rather, “Plan and scheme your design based on either a furniture or light fixture or wallpaper from a certain era, then build your design from that one inspiration.”

And don’t worry about paying homage to solely one particular era, Rachman adds. ” It is absolutely ok to use a mid-century inspired bucket swivel chair in a grand drawing room with…

READ MORE: What Is Retro Design? Explore Its History and Key Elements