Retro-style Interiors – Get the Look

For bold and fabulous interiors, retro-style is definitely the way to go.

Retro-style interiors can be anything that reflects the trends of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s — anything further back than this is usually now termed ‘vintage’ whilst homes of the 1980s have a style all of their own…

Far from minimalist and subtle, retro interiors have a fun, energetic feel at their heart and as such, need an equally lively and bold approach if you are going to pull this look off.

Retro-style Furniture

Retro furniture tends to have an almost abstract element to its design, with strong shapes and curves featuring heavily. ‘Scooped out’ chairs and stools, broad, low sofas and curved coffee tables and shelving all work.

Textures too play an important role in this style of furniture, with shiny plastics, vinyl and shaggy soft furnishings being top of the list.

Wood effect and bright colours were also fashionable during these eras so make sure the pieces you choose incorporate them.

It is useful to remember too that whilst retro-interiors were all about making an individual and daring statement, they were also expected to play an important practical role. Whether it is a retro coffee table, sideboard or sofa, to be true to the style it must be useful and sturdy — coffee tables that double up as storage, sideboards with shelving and cupboards and ottomans were all popular.

Take a look at the range of funky, retro-style furniture from Zespoke.

Retro Colours

Retro-style interiors are anything but muted, so if you like making a statement with colour then this is most definitely a look for you.

Black, white and red – in combination – are ideal for this look, but no retro interiors are complete without a splash of avocado green, mustard yellow or orange either — preferably together.

Pastels were popular at this time too – ice-cream shades of green, pink and cream are ideal for those looking for a slightly less chaotic, calmer approach and work just as well. It is best to opt for an ‘either or’ approach though and stick to either a pastel scheme or a bold one rather than trying to combine the too.

Pattern-wise, tie-dye, chequerboard patterns and paisleys were all on trend during the retro eras.

Unifying the Look

Creating retro-style interiors is about more than colours and furniture though. In order to pull the whole look together, accessories, lighting and accent pieces all need to be taken into account.

Bold sculptures, chunky metal lamps with patterned lampshades, shag pile rugs and vinyl floors displaying a bold pattern are all ideas. Wall art should be abstract and funky and don’t forget touches such as beanbags and door beads to complete the look.

Contemporary Retro

Despite this being a look that quite obviously harks back to another era, it is possible to incorporate it into a more contemporary scheme. If you like the retro-look but want an updated and more subtle finish, consider keeping your background colours more muted and bring in furniture that gives a gentle nod towards the era rather than out-and-out replicating it. Choosing low pieces of furniture with curved edges, updated versions of nests of side tables and sticking to a retro-inspired colour scheme for your accessories should give you a good balance.