10 Stylish Retro Decor Pieces Back In Style And 6 You Should Still Avoid
Fashion isn’t the only thing that comes back around – home decor trends from decades past are making major comebacks too! While some vintage items deserve their second chance in the spotlight, others should probably stay tucked away in grandma’s attic.
I’m going to walk you through which retro pieces are worth bringing back and which ones should remain relics of the past.
1. Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Those sleek, sculptural chairs with tapered wooden legs from the 50s and 60s have returned triumphantly to our living spaces. Their clean lines and organic shapes bring a timeless elegance that works in almost any room.
You can find beautiful reproductions at reasonable prices, or hunt for authentic pieces at estate sales and vintage shops. The best part? They’re actually comfortable despite their artistic appearance!
2. Macramé Wall Hangings
Remember those knotted wall decorations from the 70s? They’re enjoying a massive revival! Modern macramé pieces add wonderful texture and warmth to spaces that might otherwise feel flat or cold.
Today’s versions tend to be more minimalist than their bohemian ancestors. I’ve hung one above my bed instead of a headboard, and guests always comment on it. Many crafters are selling handmade versions online if you’re not feeling crafty yourself.
3. Vinyl Record Players
Vinyl isn’t just for hipsters anymore! Record players have surged back into mainstream homes, combining nostalgic sound quality with modern technology. Many new models include Bluetooth connectivity while preserving that warm analog sound.
Setting up a dedicated listening corner with your record collection creates an intentional space for enjoying music. The ritual of placing the needle on a record brings back the art of active listening that disappeared in our digital age.
4. Conversation Pits
Sunken living rooms designed for gathering are making a surprising comeback! These cozy, built-in seating arrangements create natural gathering spaces that encourage actual conversation instead of TV-watching.
Modern versions often feature modular furniture that can be rearranged as needed. My friend recently renovated her living room to include a small conversation pit, and it’s become everyone’s favorite spot during parties. The slightly lowered floor creates an intimate feeling that standard furniture arrangements can’t match.
5. Terrazzo Surfaces
Those speckled composite surfaces from the 70s are everywhere again! Terrazzo’s playful pattern of embedded stone chips brings color and texture to countertops, floors, and even small decorative objects.
Today’s terrazzo comes in endless color combinations beyond the traditional gray base. I added terrazzo coasters to my coffee table for a pop of retro charm without committing to a major renovation. The durability of this material makes it practical as well as pretty.
6. Rattan and Wicker Furniture
Natural fiber furniture has bounced back into our homes with good reason. Rattan chairs, wicker baskets, and bamboo shelving add organic texture that softens our increasingly technological spaces.
Unlike the heavy, dark wicker of the past, today’s pieces tend to be lighter in color and more streamlined in design. A peacock chair in the corner of my bedroom creates an instant focal point. These natural materials bring the outdoors in and pair beautifully with houseplants.
7. Vintage-Inspired Wallpaper
Bold patterns are back on our walls! Wallpaper designs inspired by the 60s and 70s – geometric patterns, large florals, and even some psychedelic motifs – have returned with modern twists.
Today’s papers often feature updated color palettes and are much easier to install and remove. I wallpapered just one wall in my dining room with a bold pattern, creating a statement without overwhelming the space. The right vintage-inspired wallpaper can transform a boring room into something special.
8. Sunburst Clocks and Mirrors
Those radiant, ray-like designs popular in mid-century homes have regained their shine! Sunburst mirrors and clocks add instant glamour and serve as perfect focal points above mantels or in entryways.
Modern versions come in various finishes from brass to painted wood. My entryway features a gold sunburst mirror that makes the space feel larger and brighter. These statement pieces work well in both maximalist and minimalist spaces, proving their versatility.
9. Vintage Bar Carts
Cocktail culture has brought back the glamorous bar cart! These rolling entertainers from the 50s and 60s now serve as both functional drink stations and decorative displays in modern homes.
Styling a bar cart is half the fun – vintage glassware, a few special bottles, and perhaps a small plant create an inviting vignette. I found my brass bar cart at a thrift store and restored it. Now it’s the first thing guests compliment when they visit.
10. Houseplants Galore
The 1970s jungle look is thriving again! Indoor plants have returned as essential decor elements, with fiddle leaf figs, monsteras, and hanging pothos creating that lush, lived-in feeling of decades past.
Unlike the plastic versions that gathered dust in the 80s, today’s plant trend focuses on real, air-purifying greenery. My living room now hosts seven different plants, creating a calming atmosphere. The organic shapes and colors of plants soften modern interiors and bring life to any space.
11. Shag Carpets
Oh no, please don’t! Those ultra-deep pile carpets from the 70s should stay firmly in the past. While they might feel cozy underfoot, they’re impossible to keep clean and collect dust, allergens, and pet hair like nothing else.
Modern alternatives like textured low-pile rugs provide comfort without the maintenance nightmare. I tried a small shag rug in my bedroom once and removed it within months. If you’re determined to embrace this look, limit it to small area rugs that can be easily cleaned.
12. Popcorn Ceilings
Few design elements scream “outdated” louder than those bumpy, spray-on ceiling textures popular from the 1950s through the 1980s. Beyond looking dated, these textures collect dust and are nearly impossible to clean properly.
Many older popcorn ceilings even contained asbestos before it was banned. If you’re house-hunting, factor in the cost of removal if you encounter this relic. My first apartment had these ceilings, and I still remember how they’d crumble if you accidentally brushed against them.
13. Fake Wood Paneling
Those dark, faux-wood wall panels that dominated dens and basements in the 60s and 70s make spaces feel smaller, darker, and stuck in a time warp. Real wood accent walls have made a comeback, but the fake stuff should remain buried.
If your home still has this feature, painting it is the quickest fix before you can replace it entirely. My parents’ house had this in the basement, and painting it white made an immediate difference. The thin veneer simply can’t compare to today’s beautiful wall treatments.
14. Bathroom Carpet
Who thought putting carpet in bathrooms was a good idea? This bizarre trend from the 70s and 80s created perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew – not to mention other unpleasant bathroom-related issues.
Modern bathrooms favor tile, luxury vinyl, or engineered wood that can handle moisture. I viewed a house last year with original pink carpet in the bathroom, and it was an immediate deal-breaker. No amount of cleaning can ever make bathroom carpet truly sanitary.
15. Avocado Green Appliances
Those iconic green refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers from the 70s should remain in vintage photographs only. While some retro colors are making comebacks in appliances, this particular muddy green isn’t one of them.
Today’s colorful appliances come in much more appealing shades if you want something beyond stainless steel. My grandmother held onto her avocado green fridge until 2010, and it always looked dingy despite being clean. Modern energy efficiency is another compelling reason to avoid hunting down these vintage pieces.
16. Plastic Slip Covers
Remember those clear plastic covers protecting “good” furniture? This odd trend prioritized keeping furniture pristine over actually enjoying it. The squeaky, sticky feeling of sitting on plastic-wrapped cushions was universally unpleasant.
Modern performance fabrics offer stain resistance without sacrificing comfort. My grandmother’s plastic-covered sofa was both uncomfortable and embarrassing when friends visited. Today’s solution is simple: buy furniture you can actually use, and clean it when necessary.
