how to create a
retro
living space

When it comes to decorating your living room, creating a retro look can be a great way to transform your space into a fun and stylish area.
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Whether you are looking to add a touch of nostalgia or simply want to bring a unique style to your space, there are many ways to design a retro-chic living room.

From choosing the right furniture and fabrics to adding vintage art and accessories – this guide will provide tips and ideas for creating a space that is both stylish and timeless.

Retro Colour Schemes for the Living Room

Adding a variety of colour schemes to your living space can help to create a retro look and feel.

Bright, saturated hues are a classic choice for achieving a retro vibe. Think of the iconic tones of the 50s and 60s: bold pinks, blues and greens, plus warm oranges, yellows, and reds. These colours can be combined in a few ways to create a vintage atmosphere.

Painting an entire room in one of the shades can be a great way to bring an immediate retro feel, especially when paired with vintage-inspired furniture and decor. If you're looking to create a more subtle effect, consider painting an accent wall in one of the colours and adding a few small accents in complementary tones. This can create a nice balance between the bold colours and the more neutral shades.

Alternatively, you can go for a mid-century modern look by combining bright and muted versions of the same colour. This is a great way to bring a touch of retro style without overwhelming the space. No matter which colour scheme you choose, you can use it to give your living space a unique and inviting retro feel.

Choosing The Right Living Room Furniture

When creating a retro-chic living room, selecting the right furniture is essential in creating a space that is both stylish and functional. It’s important to consider the size and shape of the room, as well as the colour palette.

Taking time to choose the right pieces that complement each other and reflect your personal style can make all the difference in creating a retro living room that is both comfortable and inviting.

Bespoke Sofas with a Vintage Appeal

Bespoke sofas can be an excellent choice when it comes to creating a retro-style living room.

With a bespoke sofa, you can customise the design to fit the exact size, shape, and style of your room. You can choose from a variety of fabrics and materials, as well as a wide range of colours and patterns. This allows you to match the sofa to the colour palette of your room and create a look that is unique and timeless.

You can also choose the type of legs for the sofa, as well as the type of cushioning, which can help create a comfortable and inviting space. Additionally, you can adjust the armrests, backrests, and seat depths to ensure the sofa is the perfect fit for the room.

With a bespoke sofa, you can create a piece that is truly one of a kind and that reflects your personal style and sets up a great starting point to start creating your retro living space.

Desginer Sofas with a Retro Touch

Alternatively, adding a ready-made designer sofa can help to create a retro-style living space.

Vintage-style sofas often feature bold colours and patterns, as well as unique shapes, which can instantly draw attention to the piece and make it the standout element in the room.

Placing this type of sofa in a retro-chic living space will help to create an atmosphere that evokes nostalgia, comfort, and elegance.

Additionally, vintage-style, designer sofas are usually upholstered with materials such as velvet or leather which adds to their luxurious look.

Match With a Classic Table

Tables are another important piece when it comes to designing a retro living room. Whether you choose a coffee table or a side table, you can find a variety of styles that fit the aesthetic of your room.

A round table is a great choice for a retro-style living room, as it is both stylish and timeless. You can also choose from a range of materials, such as wood, metal, or glass, as well as sizes and shapes.

A mid-century modern table is an excellent option to create a classic look that is both timeless and modern.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more eclectic look, you can opt for an antique table or choose a vintage piece with a unique design.

Tables can provide a great surface for displaying books, plants, and other accessories, making them an essential part of any retro living room.

Add Some Vintage Storage Pieces

Adding vintage storage can be a great way to add a touch of nostalgia to your retro-style living room.

Vintage storage pieces such as trunks, wardrobes, and cabinets can provide an interesting and unique look, as well as provide plenty of storage space. You can also find vintage storage pieces with unique details such as metal hardware, patterned fabric lining, and ornate carvings. This can be a great way to add a unique and stylish touch to your room that will be sure to draw the eye and add a conversation piece to your room.

Additionally, vintage storage pieces can be functional as well as stylish, with plenty of space for books, magazines, and other items.

Incorporating Retro-Style Fabrics

Adding fabrics with a retro feel can be an excellent way to tie your living room together and create a space that is both stylish and inviting.

Pillows & Throws

Adding pillows and throws to your living room can be a great way to give your room a retro feel.

Pillows and throws come in a variety of colours, patterns, and textures to create a unique look and feel. Retro-inspired colours such as mustard yellow, avocado green, and burnt orange are great choices for creating a vintage look. You can also choose from a wide range of patterns such as florals, abstract prints, and chevron stripes to create a unique and stylish look.

Adding throw pillows and throws can also give your living room a cosy and inviting feel, while also adding a touch of colour and pattern to the space.

Curtains & Blinds

Adding curtains and blinds to your living room can also help to create a retro look.

You can choose from a variety of fabrics such as velvet, chenille, and floral prints to give your room a vintage feel. You can also choose from a range of colours and patterns to complement your furniture and decor.

If you want to add a subtle touch of colour to your room, you can opt for a neutral colour or patterned fabric. For a bolder look, you can choose a brighter colour or an eye-catching pattern.

Curtains and blinds can also help to create a cosy atmosphere in your living room and provide privacy when needed.

Vintage-Style Decor for Your Living Room

Once you’ve established the general layout, furniture and essential accessories for your living space, adding vintage-style decor can really pull the look together and give it that extra interest.

Wall Art

Wall art is one of the most accessible and affordable ways to add vintage decor to your living space.

A great way to make your walls stand out while giving your home a retro feel is with vintage art prints. There are many affordable options to choose from, such as classic movie posters, vintage advertising posters, and illustrations from old books.

For a more modern take on retro art, you can find abstract art prints that feature geometric shapes and bright colours. You can also find vintage-inspired artwork that contains elements of the past, such as cityscapes and landscapes.

Plants & Greenery

Another great way to add vintage decor to your living space is through the use of plants and greenery.

A few vintage-inspired planters can help to bring a touch of the past to your home. You can also find vintage-style vases and flower pots to display your favourite plants. Greenery can also be used to add a unique and timeless look to your living space.

For a more subtle look, you can opt for a vintage-style terrarium, which can be filled with succulents and other small plants. If you have a larger space, you can also opt for a statement piece such as a vintage-style fern or palm tree.

Vintage-Style Lighting Fixtures

Adding lighting features to your living space can help create a retro look. Start by choosing a statement light fixture that is reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s. Look for a vintage-style chandelier or a pendant light with a more classic shape and design.

For added retro vibes, consider using colours like pink, yellow, orange, and blue to make a bold statement. You can also add a few wall sconces with exposed bulbs that have a more industrial feel. Additionally, consider swapping out regular bulbs with Edison bulbs, which have an old-fashioned look and create a soft, warm light.

Finally, use a variety of table lamps and floor lamps to add a unique touch to the space and help create an overall retro feel.

General Accessories

Finally, there are many accessories that can be used to give your living space a vintage feel. Vintage-inspired rugs, clocks, mirrors, and more can all be used to add a touch of the past to your home. You can also find vintage-style serve ware, dishes and knick-knacks to make your home truly unique.

Create Your Perfect Retro-Chic Living Space

Creating a retro living space can be a fun, creative way to add a unique touch to your home. Whether you're looking for a full-fledged retro-chic living room or just want to add some retro touches here and there, this guide should give you plenty of ideas to get started.

‍Browse our range of sofas, chairs, furniture and accessories that can help you to create a retro-chic living space for your home.