Old Décor Trends That Have Made A Big Comeback

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There are many old decor trends that have fallen out of style over the years. However, some of them have seen a resurgence. It’s impressive to see such a homage to the past while retaining the intricacies and convenience of modern design, as even top-of-the-line hotels and luxury rental apartments are leveraging this beautiful aesthetic. Below are just some of the vintage decor trends that have made a comeback.

Wood panels

Back in the 60s and 70s, almost every home had a wood-paneled wall somewhere. However, this love for wood panels started to fade in the 80s.

It’s only in recent years that wood paneling has started to make a big comeback. Wood paneling can provide some natural texture to a room, while also providing insulation, making it charming and practical. 

There are some rules for successfully using wood panels. Firstly, try to stick to a single accent wall – wood on multiple walls can be texture overkill. It’s also safer to stick to lighter tones of wood, as darker tones of wood can still run the risk of looking dated. https://www.stikwood.com/blog/59-wood-accent-wall-ideas offers some great wood accent wall ideas. 

Floral wallpaper

Floral wallpaper has seen many revivals throughout history. Intricate floral designs were a symbol of luxury in the 1800s, while brighter more straightforward prints became popular during the ‘flower power’ era of the 60s.

Both wallpaper and floral designs started to be viewed as tacky in the 80s. However, many homes have been starting to embrace floral wallpaper again in recent decades. When applied correctly, it can bring a cheery burst of color and texture to a room. 

As with wood panels, it’s best to use floral wallpaper on a single accent wall rather than covering an entire room. It’s important to also choose floral wallpaper designs that feel modern. This guide offers some great tips on how to use floral wallpaper in 2023. 

Framed mirrors

Frameless mirrors can often have a more subtle and cleaner look. This has led many homes to abandon traditional ‘French mirrors’ with frames. However, these mirrors can still have their place in modern homes.

Framed mirrors are great statement items for spicing up bare walls. They can add character to an overly minimal bathroom or they can stop a TV dominating a living room when placed opposite the screen. Choose an antique mirror for a piece of history, or choose a modern mirror to keep things contemporary. 

Edison bulbs

Thomas Edison invented the incandescent lightbulb back in 1879. Since its invention, light bulbs have gotten a lot smaller and more compact. However, large light bulbs have become stylish again in recent years. 

Such bulbs are typically hung from the ceiling without a lampshade. A popular decor trend is to hang multiple Edison bulbs from a beam above a kitchen island or dining table. You can buy modern Edison-style bulbs that use LED light instead of incandescent light. These are much more energy-efficient, while still possessing that vintage look. 

Brass faucets

Brass-finished plumbing has gone in and out of style over the years. As this post explores, they’re currently seeing a resurgence. 

Brass faucets go really well with farmhouse decor in a kitchen as do farmhouse sinks. They can also add a vintage feel to a bathroom when paired with bold tiles. They’re a fun alternative to chrome steel taps.

Freestanding tubs

Freestanding tubs have also become a lot more popular in recent years. Modeled off of old Victorian tubs, these tubs allow you to hang your arms out of both sides, giving you more elbow room to relax.  Unlike traditional tubs, however, they are plumbed in just like a modern bath.

The drawback of freestanding tubs is that they can cost a lot of money to install and require a lot more space than a tub attached to the wall. Most homeowners typically have to carry out a bathroom extension or conversion in order to accommodate these tubs. Fortunately, they can add a lot of value. 

Colored kitchen cabinets

Brightly colored kitchen cabinets haven’t been in since the 50s and 60s, however, this is a trend that has gradually been creeping back in. More people are starting to see neutral colors as boring and are opting for bolder colors like orange-red, navy blue, or mint green. This post offers more inspiration when it comes to kitchen cabinet colors. 

Because the kitchen is a room of activity, it is much easier to get away with these bold and energetic colors within this room. However, it’s important to keep cabinets regularly repainted – colored cabinets will quickly look dated once the colors start to fade. 

Walk-in pantry cupboards

More people are moving away from processed foods and are finding the time to make meals from scratch again. This had led to walk-in pantry cupboards coming back into demand, giving eager home cooks a place to store greater amounts of ingredients

Adding a walk-in pantry typically requires extending the kitchen. Like installing a freestanding tub, it can be quite an expensive home improvement because of this. In some cases, it may be possible to sacrifice cabinets in favor of a walk-in pantry cupboard. 

Mason jars

Mason jars were once a common way to store food ingredients before plastic packaging became popular. In the last decade, they’ve started to see a resurgence as a response to a growing number of people trying to shop plastic free. 

Mason jars are inexpensive and easy to clean. They’re also great for keeping pests out. These could be great containers for storing food in your walk-in pantry. 

Shag rugs

Finally, it’s worth noting that shag rugs have also made a comeback. These deep-pile rugs were popular in the 70s but started to be viewed as dated in the 80s. Since then, short-pile rugs have been favored – however, shag rugs have started to be more widely adopted in recent years.

Shag rugs can provide superior comfort and are excellent for placing beside a bed or under a desk for sinking one’s toes into. They’re best avoided in mess-prone areas such as under dining tables or in kids’ bedrooms as they are not easy to clean.