If you're feeling a bit burnt out on the minimalist, monotone aesthetic that's been ubiquitous for years, you're not alone. Fortunately, a wildly fun, vibrant and expressive interior design trend is sweeping the nation - Neo-Vintage! This revamped take on retro style allows you to inject some personality and nostalgia into your spaces.
What exactly is Neo-Vintage, you ask? Think funky 70s bohemian mixed with an edgy Y2K streetwear vibe and a mid-century modern flair. It's an eclectic mashup of different decade's iconic looks remixed for today. Reminiscing about your good ol' days has never looked so fresh!
"Neo-Vintage is all about celebrating our beloved vintage eras, but reinterpreting them with a modern irreverence," says Alice Finnish, lead interior designer at HAUS Interiors. "Have fun clashing patterns, layering textures and embracing vibrant colour camps that speak to you."
Still feeling a bit lost? We'll break it down further with some Neo-Vintage must-haves:
70s Bohemian
- Shag rugs (a la Austin Powers' swinging bachelor pad)
- Hanging macrame plant holders
- Overdyed Persian rugs
- Mudcloth prints on pillows and upholstery
Y2K (AKA the Indie Kidcore/Tumblr aesthetic)
- Inflatable furniture like beanbags and blob chairs
- Sheer puddled curtains in bright colors
- Low-rise velour loungers
- Smiley face motifs and psychedelic patterns
Mid-Century Modern
- Hairpin or angled wooden legs on furniture
- Kidney-shaped coffee tables
- Sunburst wall clocks
- Egg chairs and Eames loungers
The key is to pick and choose elements that vibe with your personal aesthetic rather than going full-on theme room. Layering in vintage-inspired pieces with your contemporary furnishings creates an unexpectedly fresh and dimensional look.
"With this trend, more is definitely more," advises Sophia Frazier, buying director at West Elm UK. "Don't be afraid to make bold choices and let your rebellious teen spirit shine."
Indeed, studies show that adding pops of nostalgic design transports us back to carefree days while simultaneously invigorating us. A Homestead Living survey revealed that 68% of UK homeowners associated retro elements like shag rugs and lava lamps with positive emotions and euphoric feelings.
So, are you ready to ride that Neo-Vintage wave and create a smashing, maximalist escape? If not, you're simply a stuck-in-the-90s bugger missing out on an wacky design revival (said lovingly, of course). But for those brave design mavens ready to embrace their indie kid core, here are some words of wisdom from the pros:
"Have a gosh darned laugh with it! This look isn't meant to be taken too seriously," insists Scandinavian stylist Lotta Coloured. She suggests throwing in unexpected, silly treasures like a bright green ceramic poodle toward the fun.
"Neo-Vintage is all about expressing your authentic, unabashed self," adds Finn Samobier, author of 'The New Bohemians' book. "So be fearless and make gutsy choices - you can always resell those bell-bottoms on Depop later."
At the end of the day, you do you! The Neo-Vintage look is all about remixing eras and aesthetics that make you feel groovy, baby. So prepare to reevaluate your aversion to burnt orange and sculpted seating pods - it's going to be a shagadelic adventure!