Turn Back The Clock With These Retro Home Touches

Vintage decor has been in for quite some time now, and despite the fact that trends in interior design are constantly shifting, the vintage style looks set to stay. And it’s only going to get bigger – and better! 

So are you ready to turn your living room into a room that looks like it could be used as a set for Mad Men? I’ve been flicking through my favourite interior design mags and have come up with some top tips for adding a touch of retro glam to your home…

Retro Appliances

Retro appliances are one of the best ways of adding some retro touches to your home. Things like old telephones and record players are just small additions to your home, but they will have a big effect. These are often listed as unusual gifts for men in many gift guides. So if you need an excuse to buy yourself a trendy appliance for your home, just get your partner one of his birthday! Heck, VIP did this for me to satisfy his need for smart technology! 

The kitchen is another great area to pimp with some retro appliances. It’s  possible to find replica 1950s refrigerators, especially the American-style fridge-freezers, and a selection of interior design stores even sell kitchen accessories, such as kettles and coffee pots, in a distinct 50s style.

But the best way to find cheap retro appliances is to browse your local charity shops, flea markets and boot fairs. Just make sure everything is in working order before you buy anything!

Be Bold

One of the main hallmarks of a retro interior design is bold colours and patterns. The easiest way to use these in your decor is in the wallpaper.

It’s possible to find many retro designs in decorating shops. When you’re choosing new furniture, opt for pieces that use bold colours. Rugs and window treatments should also be coloured vibrantly. When you are decorating your room, make sure that the patterns and bold colours stick to the same colour palette. Otherwise, your room could end up looking quite messy and unorganised.

Use Statement Pieces

If you just want to bring retro inspiration into your rooms subtly, the best way is with statement pieces of furniture. For instance, a large metal lamp from the 1960s overhanging a table would be a great addition to a modern dining room.

Many people love statement sofas, and these are easy to find in a retro design. Try and find ones that use simple curves in their design. Curves are a really big indication of retro pieces. And one curved piece will stand out quite nicely against all the hard lines used in modern pieces.

Think About Prints

Prints are another easy way of bringing a retro feel into your home. In most interior design shops you can find ones of your favourite classic Hollywood actors, such as Audrey Hepburn.

Another cool idea is to frame film posters from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. You can find these on sites such as eBay and Amazon, but sometimes they come up for sale at auctions and antique shops because they can be quite collectable. However, you may end up paying slightly more than you had bargained if you buy them in one of these, especially at auction! 

Retro Artworks

If you want some decor touches that are slightly more elegant and sophisticated than prints and posters, then look out for artworks. There are many works of art from the 50s, 60s, and 70s that still sell for low prices and these could be worth investing in, as you never know when a certain style of art may become more popular. The more popular it is, the more you will be able to sell it on for!

Adding hints of retro decor to your home can be a great way to spruce it up. And given that the vintage trend looks set to continue, there’s no fear of your decor being left behind.