Vintage Coffee Tables & the Neo-Retro Revolution

Full of fun and with a humorous twist, not to mention a great big dollop of nostalgia, there’s no wonder the neo-retro interiors movement is enjoying such popularity right now.

There are lots of reasons why neo-retro is the way to go when it comes to designing your interior space. This is the ideal way to combine the finest retro and vintage design out there with all the practicality of modern design — giving you the best of both worlds.

Getting the Look

One great thing about the neo-retro interiors movement is that it’s a look that’s easy to get right — and easy to live with once you do. The key here is to combine past and present design in such a way that all the elements come together in a visually pleasing way.

This is a design scheme that relies on the relationship between funky retro and romantic vintage pieces, bringing stylish throwbacks from an era full of optimism and humour into cutting-edge interior spaces — a retro coffee table sitting proudly within a sleek contemporary scheme is the perfect example.

Concentrate on colour, texture and shape. Colours such as pastels, rust, sludge green and purple are along the right lines, while glossy finishes and glass add to the look, as do bold botanical and geometric patterns. Finally, curved edges, circular pieces and low-level coffee tables, lighting and side tables complete the look. Balance it all out with plenty of natural light and a generous helping of crisp white.

Making It Work

But just how do you get the two to sit together, rather than creating a look that jars? The key here is to use furniture that’s not so much dated, but rather combines fresh, retro influences with modern design. Using bespoke items of furniture, such as retro coffee tables that combine modern functionality with cool curves, and introducing pops of colour is a brilliant first step towards this aesthetic.

The retro coffee tables from Zespoke allow you to choose from a massive range of colours to get the look spot on and come in shapes and styles that carry with them both a retro element through their circular forms, as well as function with their optional glass shelves and handy storage spaces. There’s also the opportunity to include some very on-trend bold retro and vintage patterns — an important element in creating this look.

Bringing It All Together

Neo-retro interiors should combine hints of retro design, such as bright candy shades, as well as curved and circular furniture, low-hung pendant lighting with a 60s vibe and some mid-century modern shapes and wood effects with a more sleek, minimalist backdrop – such as wooden flooring, plenty of glazing and crisp, white lines.

Vintage coffee tables have a way of being able to blend with pretty much any scheme, softening what could be viewed as stark, modern interiors and adding an often much needed homely touch.

A retro-inspired sideboard in a wood finish or a retro coffee table in a colour such as olive green or orange will brighten up even the most monochromatic of schemes and is the perfect way of ensuring that your interiors reflect your personality as opposed to looking too ‘show home’ or neutral.

Don’t be afraid that this is a look that’s stuck in the past — the beauty of it is that it allows you to indulge in classic and comforting pieces without the whole look appearing overly traditional. It’s a look that works in both contemporary homes as well as period properties — and there are few better ways of highlighting the original features of a period home, such as pretty mouldings, imposing antique fireplaces and classic window styles, than with a striking vintage coffee table or accessories. Equally, smooth, straight, contemporary homes can be brought to life by the addition of splashes of colour or pattern, without messing with the purity of the bare bones of the room.