9 Retro Colors That Are Back in Style for Home Interiors
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Specific colors from the past evoke comfort, familiarity, and joy. Bring that warmth into your home with a palette inspired by retro color trends. These nostalgic hues are back in style with a modern twist.
Mauve
This dusty pink-purple is straight out of the ’80s but is back on top of retro color trends. Today’s mauve brings a sophisticated sense to living areas, dining rooms, and more. Opt for saturated, dusky shades over wispy pastels to give this color a modern edge.
Paint color: Mauve Madness PPG1049-5 PPG Paints
Jessica Thomas, interiors stylist
Mauve pairs well with cooler hues like blues and grays for a soothing space.
— Jessica Thomas, interiors stylist
Beige
The crisp, cool neutrals that dominated the past decade have given way to a familiar favorite: beige. Popular throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, the warm, sandy retro color is now bringing nostalgic comfort to today’s interiors. Combine beige with dusty blues or rich clay tones for an easygoing, nature-inspired color scheme.
Paint color: Hopsack 3003-10B Valspar
Denim Blue
Familiar as a well-worn pair of jeans, this shade of blue harkens back to traditional interiors, and its classic feel makes it once again popular. Paint walls denim blue for timeless appeal and liveable, understated retro color. In bedrooms and bathrooms, it creates a soothing atmosphere ideal for relaxation.
Paint color: Denim Wash 838 Benjamin Moore
Yellow
The groovy style of the ’70s brought vibrant colors like yellow into our homes. Now, this retro color is back in our homes in big and small ways. For a fresh twist, amp up the intensity of this retro color with a vibrant shade of lemon or citrine.
Paint color: Cheerful SW6903 Sherwin-Williams
Ann Lowengart, interior designer
“The umber that is evident in a warmer yellow is very friendly to antiques.”
— Ann Lowengart, interior designer
Warm White
Nathan Kirkman
Warm, antique whites are reminiscent of old farmhouses and cozy country cottages. These softer shades have gained prevalence over bright, pure whites that have been popular over the past several years. Look for white paint colors with subtle undertones of red or yellow to give rooms a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Paint color: Swiss Coffee 12 Behr
Mint Green
Mint green is a retro color that was a must-have throughout the first half of the 20th century when it frequently popped up in kitchens and bathrooms. The soft pastel was historically juxtaposed with jet-black and bright white for a sharp contrast. To put a modern spin on this nostalgic hue, pair mint green with soft whites and wood tones for a fresh, natural look.
Paint color: Glenwood Green DE5668 Dunn Edwards
Pastel Pink
Adam Albright
During the 1950s, pastel shades of pink were splashed across all sorts of surfaces, including bathroom tile, sinks, bathtubs, and more. While today’s version of this retro color is less all-encompassing, powdery pink is again popular in bathrooms. Combine the paint color with modern black accents to temper pink’s sweetness.
Paint color: Beloved Pink S130-1 Behr
Emily Henderson, interior designer
“Pastels are a great way to bring softness to a room without sacrificing color.”
— Emily Henderson, interior designer
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