As trends come and go through home design, there’s a few that’ll almost always roll back into fashion — sooner or later. And whilst there’s many fads you probably hoped like hell you’ll never see again, these old school designs are looking hotter than ever.
From 1960s flashbacks to colourful numbers you thought were long gone, retro trends are now considered a timeless style sparking contrast with modern designs that look spectacular. As today’s freshest interiors take a page from the past, here’s a few old school inspirations to spruce up your home.
1. White picket fences
These cute cottage like fences were once the most traditional style of fencing – then they went out of fashion. Replaced by modern slats and the warm appeal of wood fencing, white picket fences almost vanished for good. But now their charm and recent upgrades have made them one of the most popular and timeless home designs.
You see them in the movies and you probably dreamt of them as a child – that beautiful home with the proverbial white picket fence. They shaped the ‘ideal home’ and complemented absolutely every architecture design. However, their charm was cut short when homeowners realised the reality of their dreams – too much maintenance to keep it looking pretty and yearly treatments that worked out expensive and timely. These days though, white picket fences are available in aluminium which offers homeowners the best of both worlds; charm and ease. They still have the traditional look we know and love, but powder-coating option and the aluminium material make today’s white picket fences more durable with less hassle.
2. Wallpaper renaissance
Now before you start shaking your head at the horrible wallpaper memories of your grandmother’s home, today’s wallpaper decor is nothing like it used to be. Better yet, it’s actually stylish, funky and makes for a fantastic accent wall. They have come back into vogue and making a statement in many modern homes. From metallic wallpapers that add sparkling elegance to geometrics that have that wow factor, these rare-looking designs bring a sense of the past into today’s homes.
Opt for a minimal effect (you definitely don’t want to go too overboard with this one!) and be bold with textures, colours and cool inspirations. If your space is small, wallpaper with texture can work a treat or add dimension to a room by creating a wallpaper feature wall.
3. ’60s flashbacks
Think shaggy rugs, rotary phones hanging on your wall and sparkling chandeliers. Sounds tacky I know, but these 1960s flashbacks are looking simply amazing in modern homes. Lucite is making a huge comeback making the transparent trend complement traditional elements perfectly.
The 60s flashback is all about details – contrast cording, brass buttons and nailheads or tufting on retro furniture. Shag rugs, a thing of the ’60s and ’70s, are back with beautiful textures and warm, stylish tones and chandeliers add a retro-inspired touch to a space. Taking cues from the diners of the ’50s and ’60s, booths (instead of tables!) are making a huge comeback in modern kitchens or breakfast nook areas – and boy do they look awesome! Plus, they provide a unique way to entertain guests or create a conversation piece in the kitchen.
4. Wood panelling
Another ‘shake your head’ design that was dark, dated and screamed ’70s spaces, wood panelled walls are back (sorry!). But not to fear – it actually looks good this time around. Like wallpaper, you want to keep it to a bare minimum so use it for a feature wall instead of an entire room.
Whilst wood panelling back in the day was dark and gloomy, today’s designs are much brighter and often installed horizontally rather than vertically – which looks more modern. Just these two differences alone ensure the wood-panelling trend is bringing decorative flair to your home, not daggy and depressing.
5. Colourful front doors
Kerb appeal is essential for home design – especially come resale time. You want your home’s exterior to always look fresh and inviting, whether it be in the landscaping, fencing solutions or colour schemes. For years, the front door came in one or two colours. They were uneventful and probably the last thing on any homeowner’s mind to revive.
But today, giving your front door some TLC is as important as looking after your outdoor space. Make your home the focal point of the street with bold and bright colours. Think reds, yellows, blues, turquoise and even purple and pink. For the colourful front door to really pop though, keep the rest of your home’s exterior in neutral colours.
— Jayde Ferguson writes for Fencemakers, Western Australia’s leading provider of quality fencing and gates installed by skilled fencing contractors.