12 Vintage Design Trends That Are Making a Comeback

Painted Furniture

Hand-painted furniture was initially popular in the late 1700s, but these pieces have recently been making a comeback, says Caryn Paradis, founder and interior designer at Studio Paradis. “In this room, we created a fresh perspective with the old painted bed frames by working them into a more modern palette,” she says. The house is from the 1700s, so the nod to a bygone style feels appropriate, while the wall color keeps the space bright and modern.

Wood Tones

Furniture and décor with rich wood tones have been relegated to the back of antique stores for years, but they’re experiencing a resurgence as more people crave a style that feels warm and cozy. “Wood tones—especially walnut woods—can give off such a mid-mod vibe when done right,” says Diane Rath, principal designer and founder of The Rath Project. “Actual vintage wood furniture can really up the cool factor and signal high design.”

Collected Art

More and more people are filling their homes with vintage artwork from previous eras to create a carefully curated space. “This home design was inspired by the homeowners’ family heirlooms and art from their worldly travels. The combination of new and old creates a beautiful balance throughout the home and makes each space interesting and unique,” says Miranda Cullen, founder and principal designer at Inside Stories.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is back in a big way as people crave spaces that feel eclectic and personalized. Of course, this trend is even better when the wallpaper is actually vintage or vintage-style. In this breakfast room, Carter Averbeck, principal designer at Omforme Design, recreated a vintage wallpaper he found hiding behind cabinets. “I had more of it created by a bespoke wallpaper company,” he says.

Curvy Furniture

Curvy, funky lines are making their way into the design scene again, but in a way that feels more modern. “Mixing vintage and contemporary pieces in interior design is a great way to create a space that’s both stylish and full of character. Imagine a curvy 1960s sofa paired with streamlined, modern arm chairs, or some cool 1970s tubular chrome dining chairs around a contemporary wood dining table,” says Stephanie Feinerman, owner of Stephanie Feinerman Design.

Chandeliers

Say goodbye to understated sconces—chandeliers are back in a big way. If you want to hop on this trend, vintage chandeliers can often be found salvaged, particularly when homeowners are removing them before a renovation. “Vintage is an element that brings a bit of cozy into the space and provides a wonderful story for your home,” says Lisa Gilmore of Lisa Gilmore Design. “This chandelier is circa 1930’s from France! What a great way to wow your guests and have a topic to talk about!”

Mid-Century Modern Style

Mid-century modern furniture and décor has been a vintage trend on-and-off over the past couple of decades, but it’s making a comeback and establishing itself as a classic. “Mid-century modern is an all-time classic, which is why it is emulated so much. If you have a good mid-century modern style piece it adds a sense of history to a more modern interior,” says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of BHDM Design. “It’s like taking the best thing from your grandparents’ house and injecting it into your house.”

Rustic Wood

Rustic wood tones, which are often seen in timeless Americana settings, haven’t always been at the height of popularity. But their simplicity and warmth is coming back into fashion. “I found a gorgeous antique wooden cabinet at a Habitat Restore for $100. I loved the old hardware, the vertical grooves and the storage it offered, so I immediately brought it home,” says Kayla White, interior decorator at Our Hickory House. “It’s always so interesting to wonder where these pieces lived before, and we are thrilled that it has a new life here and holds our sweet girl’s most loved treasures.”

Silk Upholstery

With trends like coastal grandmother and rom-com décor currently at the forefront of interior design, silk is no longer a thing of the past. This sumptuous fabric is catching the eyes of designers yet again. “This corner houses a vintage pink sofa that is covered in the most fabulous silk floral print,” says White.

Carved Wood Accents

Whether it’s turned details or ornate carvings, wood accents add sophistication and elegance to a space. Their reputation as too traditional is long gone, and they’re now a welcome accent in a bright and modern room. “We love infusing a vintage touch into our transitional projects by incorporating rich, dark wood tones and classic furniture shapes and table legs,” says Ali Ames, senior designer at Lark Interiors.

Gilded Mirrors

There’s an abundance of gilded mirrors on the secondhand market thanks to the style falling out of favor for a few decades. But now, designers see these ornate gold pieces as a way to add shine, warmth, and a touch of drama to a room.

“Incorporating authentic vintage or antique mirrors into a room adds so much more character rather than a reproduction. The patina and rich highs and lows of the aged gilding offer the kind of charm and character that a new piece is lacking,” says interior decorator Mo Dana.

Natural Textures

Natural textures, like wicker and rattan, have been used for centuries. In rare cases, they’ve survived. In other cases, they’ve been restored. Either way, they add a beautiful warmth to a room.

“Wicker, rattan and rush are all beautiful textural elements that can be easily and successfully layered into any style space,” says Rath. “We love using the natural material on chairs and seating and adding cushions or upholstery to further soften the feel.”