Retro Style Interior Design
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines retro as “relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashion of the past: fashionably nostalgic or old fashioned.” Based on this definition, re-creating any older style would be considered retro. However, the interior design industry limits retro to the 1950s through the1970s. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
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Celebrating 'Modern'
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According to My Space Designers, “Retro style is a throwback to the streamlined, modern designs made popular throughout the mid-twentieth century.” After World War II, raw materials were available for non-necessities allowing designers to create furnishings from metals and the emerging plastics industry utilizing vibrant colors.
Combining Styles
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Today's retro interior design style does not dictate that you keep everything within a specific decade. It's OK to blur the lines by selecting the elements you have a preference for, so long as you pay closer attention to the use of color and pattern. Adding a few carefully chosen retro style elements to a current contemporary decor will flavor the entire room.
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Lively '50s
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Appliances: The design of many stoves and ovens borrowed style elements from popular automobiles. Knobs and gauges resembled what was seen on dashboards, with additional chrome accents. Chrome chevrons decorated the fronts of many refrigerators with handles resembling that seen on car doors.
Furnishings: Sofas and chairs were squared-off without excessive padding or dust ruffles. Breakfast table and chair sets were manufactured from chrome-plated metal tubing, with additional chrome trim on the edges of a laminated table top. Chairs were tightly upholstered in plastic laminated fabric, re-creating the shine that was popular on patent leather.
Colors: Red, black, pink, yellow, turquoise and aqua green.
Pop culture: Coca Cola increased its brand on marketable items for the home, retail outlets and diners. Music and movies of the '50s had a strong influence over youth, so feel free to enhance your interior design with posters and other related items.
Earthy '60s
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Appliances: Appliances took on a squared-off design with sharp corners and chrome trims. Larger freezer compartments were added as drawers at the bottom of the refrigerator. Many oven doors were all glass that may or may not have had decorative elements on frosted, colored or clear glass. Gauges and dials took on a trimmer appearance.
Furnishings: Sofas and chairs continued the squared-off minimal upholstered appearance. Fabrics took on more geometric and asymmetrical patterns.
Colors: All of the primary colors were used, but all had muted tones for a more natural feel.
Pop culture: The flower power youth culture introduced the floral graphics and the peace sign. Beaded curtains were popular at doorways and as room dividers.
Sophisticated '70s
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Appliances: Appliances continued to maintain the squared-off design. Refrigerators offered the most choices for freezer placement on the top, bottom or side-by-side. A single cooking range was frequently replaced with cooktops set in the countertop with double ovens in the wall or cabinetry.
Furnishings: Sofas and chairs were primarily in the minimalist style of the '60s. Other more rounded arm and back designs were introduced with more upholstered and country style elements.
Colors: Colors took on warmer earth tones utilizing golds, browns and warm greens.
Pop culture: The disco and party scene was popular during the '70s, influencing decor that welcomed guests. Large ottomans doubled as seating and coffee tables. Bars and liquor cabinets were predominately displayed in gathering areas.
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