Interior design retro decorating is the cool, new, modern way to be old-fashioned. Look to the cool, swinging sixties, for a retro vibe that will bring your home to life.
Retro is currently uber-trendy - a bizarrely ‘modern’ way to decorate your home. It’s not just a historical replication though - it’s retro with a modern twist.
Take your inspiration from sixties and seventies, chic color and form.
This is a great opportunity for you to rummage in your lofts, or your parents’ lofts, for some great retro decorating treasures. Or, check out local antique stores, jumble sales and car-boot sales - you never know, you may get a great bargain, especially if you get in there early, before the masses catch on. Don’t worry if you can’t get hold of that interesting family heirloom, there’s loads of retro-inspired goodies at the shops right now.
Or, better still, as we are living in the modern world, check out what cool retro finds are on eBay right now ...
(This is a live eBay feed, and is constantly updated. Click on a product for more information, to bid or buy - exactly as you would normally.)
The starting point for your retro look is probably going to be the color scheme. A great basis for any retro decorating scheme is brown - in any shade! Choose the shade which suits your room, and your preferences, best - from a rich chocolate brown, through beiges and tans. Other colors will work really well too - just choose deep, rich shades of your favourite, retro decorating colors.
Paint is a great way to introduce brown, and other retro colors, into your room. Wallpaper is even better. Try to choose a wallpaper with a real retro vibe going through it. Look out for bold, geometric patterns - lines, squares, circles are all ideal. Just be sure that your retro wallpaper makes a real statement.
If you decide to go for a brown-based scheme, combine those rich browns with an accent color, to bring a zing of life into your room - silver, oranges, lime-greens, or teal and turquoise are all great color combinations, and go really well with brown, for that retro decorating feel.
Keep your retro decorating quite simple - nothing fussy here - just vibrant colors, and dramatic, statement patterns.
Keep your furniture design simple in form and shape, as well. Look out for simply shaped furniture - but also beautifully shaped furniture, too. Look for beautifully sweeping curves, and a strong outline. Think of modern, design classics, such as the ‘egg’ chair, and modern Scandinavian-inspired design.
Go for wooden furniture, in mid to dark tones - but not too ‘finished’, glossy or laquered though - you should be able to appreciate the natural wood tones and patterns.
Or, choose beautiful, vibrant colors, and plastics - again, orange is a good color choice here.
If you aren’t feeling too confident with brightly colored furniture, and you want to make sure that your furniture can last through several trends - choose your furniture in a white or cream finish, rather than vibrant orange.
Make a statement with your lighting too - especially your mood lighting. Try those great, pull-down pendant lamps, in a retro-inspired shade.
For your retro decorating look to really work after dark, your main aim will be to create an orange glow - an orange plastic, or acrylic, shade, on a neutral lamp base can work wonders for your look. Also try rattan and basket-weave lampshades.
And, definitely don’t forget that retro classic - the lava lamp.
Keep your choice of flooring neutral - a wise choice when there are so many bright and bold colors and patterns around.
Choose a white, fluffy, sheepskin or flokati rug, to complement your interior design retro feel, and bring some comfort, warmth and texture into your room.
Textured, fluffy throws and cushions are a great addition into your retro room. They will give you a great, comfortable, cosy mood, for relaxing. Floor cushions and bean bags are great too, for creating a relaxed, chill-out zone.
Look how well this simple, modern lounge combines with a retro feel.
Choose simple, retro inspired accessories, for a great finishing touch. wood is always a good choice, and go for a great shape and form, over intricate detailing. This is a really fantastic opportunity to get rummaging in charity shops, and jumble sales, and see what great finds you can make.
For the perfect icing on the cake, add that sixties and seventies ‘must-have' home accessory - the spider-plant. After (accidentally) killing all mine, (or perhaps they just died of old age...?) I have been searching for a replacement spider-plant for ages - and a couple of weeks ago, I found one - so they are starting to make their come-back too!
So, what are you waiting for? It’s back to the future, (or something like that, anyway). Get your ultra-modern look, with inspiration from retro decorating. Make a bold, retro statement, and you’ll soon see that ‘wow factor’ in your own home.
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