What Is Retro Design? Explore Its History and Key Elements
Retro style is actively returning and is especially popular among young people. We spoke to designers who reflect on the origins and key elements of the style, and offer advice for those looking to incorporate vintage pieces into their home. Key? Don’t overdo it with vintage items and combine finds from other eras. We talked to designers about how to do this.
Origins
If you combine retro style with the Mad Men era (named after the TV show set in the 1960s), then you’re on the right track. Essentially, vintage style in general refers to mid-century modern with its many different styles, colors, patterns, furniture and decor, explains designer Eleanor Trepte. She elaborates, “The original vintage style originated in the colors and designs of the 60s and 70s, but faded in the 80s until the early 2000s (2000–2009) when other modern design styles became more popular.”
However, this is not always the case, notes designer Jonathan Rachman. “While mid-century modern interiors can be classic, they are not always the case,” he says. Rahman explains that retro interiors can also reflect influences from Art Deco, Rococo or other design elements of the past.
Key Characteristics
As noted, mid-century modern furniture is a hallmark of vintage style, especially curved or angular pieces done in bright colors or with metallic accents such as chrome, Trepte says.
Vintage style is also known for certain colors, such as avocado green or a rainbow of psychedelic colors, notes Rahman. Other popular classic colors include mustard yellow, orange and cherry red, according to Trepte. And don’t forget about lots of patterns and textures, she adds, citing bold wallpaper and shag rugs as key examples.
Decorating Tips
Rahman advises those designing retro spaces to practice moderation. “Unless you’re trying to make a historically accurate film or theatrical performance, please don’t take the classic style to such a high level that it becomes theatrical,” he said. “Plan and organize your design around a piece of furniture, lighting fixture, or wallpaper from a specific era, and then build your design from that inspiration.”
“Don’t worry about just paying homage to a certain era,” Rahman adds. “It’s perfectly fine to use a mid-century style swivel chair in a large living room with classic 18th-century chinoiserie motifs and pair it with a 21st-century console table.”
Trepte agrees. “For example, we love mid-century modern sofas or chairs in bright colors, but then contrast that with sleek wood or rugs, modern coffee tables and white walls.” “When it comes to retro style, it’s about balance.”
Elements of The Style’s Recent Revival
Millennials, often referred to as the retro generation, may have helped fuel the resurgence of vintage style because they value the comfort of classic, childhood-familiar designs.1 These once-discarded vintage furniture pieces are now considered special and intentional. , says designer Blima Erentro, who notes, “Furniture or decorative pieces that were once considered old-fashioned or outdated in a thrift store can now work in a space that feels vintage.” Young professionals looking to decorate their home on a budget appreciate the opportunity to buy these pieces second-hand, knowing that these classic, familiar designs will last a lifetime because they are so well made.
Rahman believes that vintage style has never gone away and that we are becoming more aware of it and how to access authentic vintage items thanks to technology. “Every century and decade of this century, we always have mixed interiors, borrowing from the past, mixed with the present,” he explains. “The internet and social media have demystified vintage style exponentially.” Rahman says we no longer have to wait for monthly magazines or TV shows to help us hone our classic style because everything we need is at our fingertips.