Decorating Ideas: Retro

Decorating ideas: retro are a fun way to inject some cool style into your home. Retro interior design styles help give your house a unique style that is all you, so get your home sock hop ready with these ideas for retro looks in your home.

Decorating Ideas: Retro - What Does It Mean?

Retro style interior design can be any kind of design that turns to the past for inspiration, technically, but usually the term "retro" is used in connection with design styles that take their cue from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s - although even 80s style is starting to creep in there. However, decorating in this style is more than just trying to recreate your average home from the time period. Retro style is a little bit more over the top. It takes the styles from the time, and then pushes them that little bit further, so there can be no doubt about what look you are trying to create.

For this reason, retro style is not for the faint of heart or for people who prefer a more understated and classic interior design look. Indeed, trying to lighten up retro style and go easy on the look can backfire - unless you go all out, your home could simply look outdated. When you go retro, embracing the style shows that planning went into creating your home and that you just haven't failed to update your décor for a few decades!

The Basics of Retro Interior Design

Two of the best ways to bring retro looks into your decorating scheme are through colors and appliances:

Decorating Ideas: Retro Color

Think of the homes of the mid 20th century - what colors come to mind? Avocado green springs to mind first for most people, and adding this color to your décor is one of the quickest ways to create a basis for your retro look. Also look for mustard yellow, orange, brown and aqua. Forget the kneejerk reaction some people have against these colors - they can be used to great affect in a retro style home and really pull your look together.

Decorating Ideas: Retro Applicances

When it comes to appliances, shape, material and colors matter. During the 50s and 60s especially, round edges were de rigeur for appliances. For a good example, check out retro style Smeg refrigerators. Look for these rounded edges on all of your appliances - you can carry this theme through to your furniture as well. When it comes to materials and colors, chrome is the order of the day. Chrome fridges, countertops, tables, stovetops - as much as you like. If you want to change things up a little bit, swap a few of the chrome appliances for ones that are in the colors of the time period - an avocado stovetop or a mustard yellow dishwasher will also look great. (Sure, dishwashers might not exactly be in keeping with the theme, but there's no need to sacrifice modern conveniences to pull your look together!).

Other retro inspired design pieces that will bring your look to life include:

shag carpeting
round lampshades
black and white/black, white and red tiles
bean bag chairs

Shopping for Retro Design

Looking for the perfect retro pieces for your home? The following websites have everything you need:

1950.com - The name says it all! 1950.com has everything you need, from small pieces to large ones, to recreate the perfect 50s inspired home.

Circa 50 - Circa 50 offers cool, modern takes on retro styles, and they have free shipping.

Do Wah Diddy - Do Wah Diddy is good for the little extras and accessories that pull your room together. They also offer a good selection of lamps.

Hi Lo Modern - Like Circa 50, this site offers modern interpretations of classic retro looks. Lots of fun!

Your Retro Design Ideas

Have your embraced retro living in your home? Share your stories and ideas by leaving a comment.