Image Credit: The Floor Room

There are certain retro design trends that have maintained their popularity through the decades – graphic prints and Eames chairs to name but a few others, however, we thought we’d never see gracing our homes again – we’re looking at your avocado sink!  

But it seems some of the more out-there design choices from the 50s, 60s and 70s are making a major comeback in 2024. Even coloured bathrooms are given a modern do-over to make them work in our homes all over again.

“The rebellion against minimalism has begun, and bold expression with colour explosions is making a triumphant return,” explains Matthew Currington, technical director at The Lighting Superstore.

“Retro trends offer a sense of nostalgia and comfort, resonating with those seeking to create a unique, personalised space that stands out from the monochrome aesthetics of recent years.”

But applying the retro look to a modern home is a tricky balance to get right. From brown walls to curvy silhouettes, geometric prints to yesteryear hardware, we asked the interior design experts which previously outdated retro design trends are making a comeback and how to successfully introduce them to our spaces in an on-trend way, avocado bathrooms included!

Brown hues

Ok, so brown might not sound like the sexiest of colour choices, but according to design experts, it is the colour of 2024.

Why brown? According to colour psychology using brown in our interior design choices can have a calming effect on a space and is associated with feelings of security, comfort, and peace. In basic terms, brown, the colour of the earth, keeps us grounded.

“Relaxing earth tones like shades of brown, which was all the rage in the 1970s, are now super popular thanks to its warm and nostalgic qualities,” explains Amthal Karim, head of design at Furniture And Choice.

Amthal says in this retro trend update, brown no longer has that outdated feeling and now leans towards luxe with muted tones like beige or camel on the walls.

“That’s not to say that darker browns are out – they can be used to accentuate parts of your interiors like shelving for an alcove,” he adds.

To embrace the brown renaissance trend at home, Carly Greening, creative product manager at The Floor Room suggests focusing on a blended colour palette for the scheme.

“Opt for oak or walnut wooden flooring or choose wall-to-wall carpet in a warm brown shade,” she advises. “Layer with natural materials like wooden furniture, stone accents and leather furnishings for a hint of nostalgia.”

To balance the richness of these brown hues Carly says it’s advisable to pair with neutral tones such as cream or beige as this will prevent the space from feeling too dark.

“For a modern twist, choose limewashed walls to bring in texture and to achieve a timeless, contemporary look that mixes retro style with contemporary design.”

Geometric patterns

Geometric patterns add a vibrant charm to interiors with their bold colours and striking shapes – reminiscent of the 60s and 70s.

“If playful decor is what you’re after, consider incorporating bold patterns within your interior scheme through wallpapers, statement rugs or textured carpets,” advises Kirsty Barton, brand storytelling manager at Alternative Flooring.

Kirsty suggests experimenting with colour combinations. “Think, warm saturated hues like terracotta and earthy green, to create a distinctive retro interior,” she advises.  

“Pattern is a great way to bring joy to your scheme while layering and building texture within a room. Make sure to repeat these bold geometric designs throughout your living space to create a cohesive, sophisticated and utterly nostalgic interior.”

Embrace olive green

Traditional colours like olive green used to be seen as old-fashioned, but recently we have seen a huge uptick in the hue used in the interior landscape.

“Olive is smooth and subtle with a vintage edge to it, but is still modern and effortless,” explains Becca Stern, co-founder and creative director of Mustard Made.

“It’s a rich and earthy green, dark but not too dark, saturated but not too bright, it’s the perfect match for everything from blushing pastels to soothing neutrals and even a pop of mustard.”

Becca says olive green is also perfect for bringing the outdoors in, even in the colder months.

“Olive celebrates nature and all its beauty. We love this look, styled with natural textures such as rattan, timber and linen.”

Go kitsch in the garden

Retro garden accessories are huge this summer, with people opting for traditional English garden pieces to celebrate the summers from their childhoods.

“Swing chairs are a cottagecore staple for warmer days spent outside,” explains Ashley Furness, trend expert at Online Home Shop.

“If you’re not in the market for garden furniture, adding a pop of colour with an outdoor cushion is a great way to add a retro feel to your garden.”

Layer up

Layering textures is also a popular feature of retro interiors as it taps into the maximalist aesthetic that’s sought-after this year.

“Velvet sofas, fringed cushions, or faux fur rugs are a great way to layer texture while adding a modern feel to the space,” explains Liam Cleverdon, Trends Expert at Flooring King.

“Creating a space with a mixture of antique and modern pieces has become a prominent feature of retro interiors, achieving a stylish blend between authentic and contemporary.”

Liam suggests this could be implemented using a vintage coffee table, cabinet or modern pendant lights. 

70s-inspired flooring

Who doesn’t have a childhood memory of playing on the family’s thick shag pile carpets, often in a colour-pop hue which swept from wall to wall and even crept into the bathroom?

But is it time to bring back the yesteryear classic?

“To channel the feel of a retro, 70s-inspired living room, opt for a shag pile carpet,” suggests Liam.  

“This is a great way to introduce texture, patterns, and colour into the space, creating a retro feel that aligns with this year’s trends.”

Likewise, patterned tiles and linoleum work perfectly to achieve authenticity within this aesthetic.

“Linoleum was popularly used in kitchens and bathrooms, with different flooring styles available to achieve a more modern take on the retro interiors trend,” he continues.

If a lino floor is a retro step too far you could also consider re-imagining another 70s flooring hit – cork.

“Cork flooring is often considered retro due to its peak popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s,” explains James Scully, founder of Recork. “However, its resurgence in recent years and sustainable nature, technological advancements and versatility makes it a suitable option for any contemporary interior. Offering distinctive grain patterns and warm tones, it will instantly create a feeling of nostalgia.”

Coloured bathrooms

For some, viewing a home with a coloured bathroom suite could be the ultimate dealbreaker, but design experts say sanitary ware in various shades is having a revival.

“Colour is setting the tone as we turn back the time with design,” explains Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms.

“From avocado greens, peachy corals (inspired by Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2024), deep blues to dusky pinks, these vibrant colours are making a bold comeback, creating a real impact when used in a bathroom.” 

If this is a trend you’d like to bring back to life in your home, there are several ways to do it.

“Rather than go all out and have a complete coloured ceramic suite, instead look to make one piece the hero, using colour to make it the focal point of the room,” advises Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs.

“The obvious place to start is a bath, which tends to dominate a bathroom, and what better way of showing it off than by choosing a solid colour but with a modern twist via a contemporary shaped bath.”

Pastel tiles

They might make you think of your grandma’s bathroom, but pastel tiles are having something of a resurgence. To stop it feeling too doll’s house, Isabel suggests going light on the look.

“Since Pantone announced their 2024 colour of the year as ‘peach fuzz’, we have seen this colourway rise in popularity through the year, with people wanting to create a retro feel but with a softness and warmth,” she advises.

The Quorn Stone Kiki Décor Peach and Kiki Base Peach tiles are suitable for bathroom walls and kitchen splashbacks.

“In a small square format, these tiles add a pop of colour without being overwhelmingly bright,” she adds.

Mushroom lamps

Mushroom lamps perfectly encapsulate a modern retro theme and have recently surged in popularity, with the term averaging over 12,000 monthly searches on Google.

To style this kind of light effectively, Matthew advises paying attention to the scale and proportion of the mushroom lamp in relation to the surrounding furniture and decor.

“If your mushroom lamp is on the smaller side, avoid placing it on large tables or shelves that will make it look insignificant,” he says. “For a larger lamp, be sure to give it plenty of space to become a focal point but avoid placing it on a side table that is too small, as this will make the proportions feel off.  

“Use the rule of threes to create an appealing vignette with the lamp. Place items like small plants, trinket trays or photo frames to create an appealing focal point with the lamp,” Matthew adds.

Curves

The retro trend sees a departure from straight, clean lines of mid-century modern design and instead embraces organic, more fluid shapes.

“Chunky, retro-inspired cylindrical shapes have been the talk of the interiors town for a while and, this year, straight edges are being ditched altogether,” explains Tom Revill, creative director of Plank Hardware.  

“Combined with the sleek tubular style of Bauhaus design, this latest retro trend continues to be seen in curvy furniture, such as sofas, arm chairs and coffee tables.”

Amthal says introducing curves into your interior will make your space feel more relaxed and create a natural flow.

He suggests combining curves with soothing textures for ultimate relaxation. “If it’s a curved sofa choose a fabric like velvet or boucle,” he adds.  

Yesteryear hardware

Statement details, like hardware, play a key role in creating retro-inspired interiors.

“Update a sideboard, alcove cupboards, or a whole kitchen, by trading out the cabinet knobs and handles with more playful, statement silhouettes,” suggests Tom. “Our ALVA collection is a great example — with a chunky, rounded form inspired by the tubular interiors trend, it’s a modern twist on the retro influences.”

Push the trend further by styling retro light switches, with a nostalgic charm, to elevate your home decor.

“Complement the switches with vintage-inspired wall colours or wallpaper in shades like mustard yellow or teal, and integrate mid-century modern furniture, vintage clocks and retro artwork to create a cohesive look,” Tom adds.

Terrazzo 2.0

Terrazzo has been popular for several years but continues to be used in interiors, bringing nostalgia and a retro touch.

To elevate a bathroom space in a modern home, Isabel Fernandez from Quorn Stone suggests choosing a wall tile or paint colour that matches the flecking of a terrazzo floor tile for a cohesive retro colour palette.