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Home Inspiration · October 18, 2019

How To Add Subtle Retro Home Decor (Without Overwhelming Your Living Space!)

50s, 60s, and even 70s decor are all popular trends right now. However, if you don’t want to go the whole hog and sport a floor to ceiling retro look in your home, you don’t have to. In fact, you can use retro styling in a much more subtle way. A tactic that can add texture and interest and help you nod to the most en vogue trends of the moment. Happily, you can read all about how to get this delicate balance right in the post below.

Solid colour

One way to introduce a more retro vibe into your home is to pick colours that are evocative of a particular period. Of course, we are talking about browns and deep oranges for the ’70s, black and white for the ’60s and even pastels such as lemon yellow and mint green for the 50s.

In fact, it is often the juxtaposition of two or three popular colours from a particular era placed together that evokes that time. Something you can achieve by painting the walls or even choosing furniture items in the right tones to sit in your rooms as well. A strategy which can provide you with a fun look, while still remaining relatively subtle and straightforward, compared to a space decked out entirely in period design.

Photo by Lucas França from Pexels

Pattern

Another fabulous way to subtly evoke a retro period in your home is to use pattern to accentuate your decor. In fact, the easiest way to do this is to buy some scatter cushions that have a design representative of the era you like on them.

With that in mind look out for bold geographic 1960s designs, kitsch 50’s print, and bright flower power patterns from the ’70s. Of course, when combining these with solid colour walls and furniture, the results will be effective yet still remain relatively subtle.

Retro furniture items

Additionally, a smart way to channel some retro vibes in your home is to invest in furniture pieces from their era of your choice. The idea here isn’t to recreate a set of what a house would have looked like, though. Instead, it’s about using a hint of that old school cool in your home.

Photo by eric montanah from Pexels

Happily finding retro-styled pieces isn’t too hard at all. In fact, you will find a range of seating options that fit the retro criteria, such as models that have those 1960s era angled wooden legs.

Then there are pieces like this sophisticated retro drinks trolley that would look equally good in a dining or living room. The advantage being that they help to provide a retro touch in the home while still keeping things classy rather than kitschy.

Art and ornaments

One of the most straightforward ways to add a subtle touch of retro in the home is with art and ornaments. In fact, this can be one of the cheapest ways as well, since ornamental pieces can still be picked up in charity shops for a song.

Additionally, art, often in the form of posters or even wrapping paper with retro design, can be framed and hung on the wall for barely any cost at all. A strategy that can help you subtly evoke your chosen era without overwhelming your space.

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© Copyright 2019 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife

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Posted By: Antonia · In: Home Inspiration

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Hello! I'M ANTONIA I launched Tidylife to provide interior, garden & lifestyle inspiration. Love home decor and budget friendly improvements? Me too! You'll find them all here. Plus decorating, styling & upcycling ideas. I also love to share fitness, fashion & beauty features, so I hope you enjoy visiting Tidylife.

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