Retro Interior Design: Bold Colour, Playful Prints & Statement Furniture

Retro interior design never really went away. Rooted in the optimism of the 1960s and 70s, the style has a knack for lifting the spirits with its confident use of colour, geometric patterns, and shapely furniture. Today, it’s enjoying a resurgence as homeowners look for ways to add personality and warmth back into their spaces after years of pared-back minimalism.

Whether you lean towards mustard colour velvet, burnt orange tones, or cheeky leopard print, retro interiors offer a playful, versatile palette that can be adapted for both subtle styling and full-on maximalist living.

Retro Living Room Anchors: Sideboards & Sofas

No retro-inspired room is complete without a statement sideboard. These shapely, walnut-toned storage pieces instantly anchor a living room design, while also providing much-needed practicality.

4Living’s Retro Walnut Sideboard – Groove (£700) is a classic example, featuring bold circular detailing on its doors and slim mid-century legs. Its rich wood tones and sculptural silhouette make it an instant focal point.

For darker, moodier schemes, the JuJu Retro Walnut & Black Sideboard (£648) channels vintage sophistication with its sleek lines and deep finish. Styled with ceramics and greenery, it brings 70s drama to a modern home.

Pair your sideboard with a velvet sofa to lock in that retro glamour. The Rockett St George Retro 50s Burnt Orange Velvet Sofa (£2,195) with gold trim is unapologetically decadent, offering rich colour and refined detailing that works in both contemporary and retro-inspired homes.

Colour & Texture: Mustard, Burnt Orange, and Velvet

If there’s one fabric that defines retro interiors, it’s velvet. Plush, tactile, and irresistibly rich, it works beautifully in swivel chairs and accent seating.

The Rockett St George Mustard Velvet Swivel Chair (£975) epitomises the look: a low, cocooning shape with deep tufted upholstery that invites you to sink in. Against dark panelling and monochrome floors, its mustard glow positively radiates.

For a softer take, the Burnt Orange Velvet Swivel Chair (£425) delivers the same retro comfort in a sunset-inspired hue. Pair two together around a shaggy rug for a 70s-style conversation pit.

Retro Walls & Bold Patterns

Few elements scream retro quite like wallpaper. Orange and brown geometrics instantly evoke the 1970s, adding depth and energy to a space. The SharonjaneStudio Retro Wallpaper (£5.50+ on Etsy) is a great option, featuring looping shapes in earthy shades that can transform a plain wall into a retro feature.

If you’re looking for something a little lighter and easier to apply, the Brown 70s Waves Wallpaper (£23.04+, Etsy, RetroDesignWallpaper) is a peel-and-stick mural with bold wave patterns in shades of orange and brown. Paired with a tan leather sofa and checkered cushions, it creates a lively yet warm backdrop for modern living spaces.

Retro Room Inspiration: Moody Blues with Warm Leather

Here, Farrow & Ball’s Inchyra Blue sets a moody backdrop for a caramel leather sofa and vintage teak sideboard. A paper lantern ceiling light and bold retro wall art complete the look, striking a balance between modern comfort and mid-century nostalgia.

Retro Cushions & Accessories

No retro-inspired interior is complete without a playful mix of cushions. Bold geometrics, 70s florals, and rich velvets were all staples of the era, adding comfort as well as personality to a room. Whether you prefer earthy oranges and browns, flower-power prints, or statement stripes, these cushions capture the nostalgic energy of mid-century style while still feeling fresh and versatile today.

Retro Cushions & Accessories

Clarke & Clarke Reno Retro Cushion Cover

£15.25+

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Vintage Grace Sullivan Floral Cushion

£26.00

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Celina Digby 1960s Floral Cushion

£18.99

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HKLiving Coffee & Mocha Striped Cushion

£45.00

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HKLiving Dark Florals Cushion

£65.00

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Vintage 70s Yellow & Green Cushion Cover

£29.00

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Retro Room Inspiration: Pattern Play

This living space combines a geometric wallpaper, a vibrant swirl rug, and sleek teak furniture to channel pure 70s energy. A record player and tripod lamp add finishing touches that make the room feel both nostalgic and lived-in.

Leopard Print: From Retro Glam to Maximalist Statement

Leopard print has always been a design chameleon — chic in small doses, daring when scaled up. In retro interiors, it nods to the Hollywood Regency style of the 60s and 70s, while in maximalist homes it takes centre stage.

For a subtle accent, the Edie Leopard Print Armchair (£435) by Rockett St George adds retro glamour without overwhelming.

Those craving drama can go all-in with the Leopard Print Velvet Lips Sofa (£650). Inspired by surrealist design, it makes a playful yet luxurious statement in any living room.

Retro Accessories with Attitude

Nothing says 1970s quite like chrome and stripes. These Vintage Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs (£435 each, Made and Found Homeware) have been beautifully reupholstered in Hackney using Colours of Arley striped velvet, giving them a rich, tactile finish.

The cantilever design was a mid-century innovation, popularised by designers like Mart Stam and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and it carried through into 70s interiors with bolder fabrics and colours. Here, the deep red and cream stripes add warmth, drama, and instant retro credibility to any dining space. Pair them with a sleek marble or wood table for a timeless yet playful look.

If the 1970s chrome-and-velvet look feels a little too plush, why not rewind even further? The 1950s gave us a different flavour of retro chic altogether – bold red vinyl, shiny chrome edges, and black-and-white chequerboard flooring straight out of an American diner. A booth-style dining set instantly adds a playful, nostalgic twist to a kitchen or games room, bringing that mid-century optimism into a modern home.

Retro Room Inspiration: Playful Dining Nook

Here, Farrow & Ball’s Cook’s Blue is paired with their Bumble Bee wallpaper for a cheerful retro dining corner. Teak furniture and mismatched plants soften the look, while natural light keeps the bold walls from feeling heavy.

1950s Diner Style

Retro doesn’t only belong to the 70s — the 1950s brought its own bold look. This American Diner Furniture Set (£699.95, Jane Harris Interiors) captures the playful optimism of the era, complete with a chrome-trimmed booth table and four studded red vinyl chairs. Perfect for recreating the look of classic diners, it’s a conversation starter that brings both nostalgia and fun to a modern home. Pair it with a chequerboard floor for the full retro experience.

And for those who like their furniture to double as conversation starters, the Hot Pink Panther Glass Coffee Table (£530, 4Living) is unapologetically bold. With a panther base and smoked glass top, it blurs the line between retro 90s kitsch and contemporary maximalism.

How to Bring Retro Home in 2025

Retro interiors are about more than nostalgia; they’re about injecting joy, colour, and character into the everyday. Start small with a patterned wallpaper or a velvet armchair, or go all-out with a bold sideboard and leopard-print sofa. The beauty of retro is its versatility — it can be pared back or played loud, depending on how brave you’re feeling.

Retro Room Inspiration: Deep Green & Mustard

In this retro-inspired living room, deep green walls contrast with mustard upholstered chairs and a caramel sofa. Framed butterfly art creates a gallery-style wall, while plants and textured rugs enhance the cosy, layered feel.

FAQs on Retro Interior Design

What is retro in interior design?

Retro interior design refers to styles inspired by the mid-20th century, particularly the 1950s, 60s and 70s. It’s characterised by bold colour palettes, geometric patterns, and playful furniture shapes. Think bright vinyl chairs, teak sideboards, flower-power prints and shaggy rugs – all elements that create a nostalgic yet stylish atmosphere.

What is the 3-5-7 rule in decorating?

The 3-5-7 rule is a design principle based on the idea that odd numbers create more visual interest than even ones. For example, when styling a retro sideboard, placing 3 or 5 accessories of varying heights (such as a lamp, vase, and stack of books) tends to look more balanced and natural than an even grouping.

What is the 70/30 rule in interior design?

The 70/30 rule helps with balance in a room. Typically, 70% of the space is decorated in one main style, colour, or material, while 30% introduces contrast. In retro design, you might use warm teak furniture and earthy tones for 70% of the space, then add pops of orange, mustard, or bold prints for the remaining 30% to stop the scheme feeling flat.

What is the 3-4-5 rule in interior design?

This principle is often used for spacing and scale. For example, when hanging art on a wall or arranging furniture, keeping proportions in a 3-4-5 ratio creates harmony. In a retro living room, this might mean using a three-seater sofa with four cushions and a coffee table that’s roughly five-tenths (or half) the sofa’s length.