Retro
Retro interiors bring the optimistic atmosphere of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s back into the home. This interior style feels cheerful, personal and warm, with rounded shapes, graphic prints, vintage furniture, bold colours and lighting designed to be noticed. Ideal for those who enjoy combining different elements while still creating a balanced and cohesive interior.
Colour palettes for a retro interior
Colour gives a retro interior its energy, rhythm and distinctive character. With these three palettes, you can choose between sunny and graphic, bold and expressive, or warm and earthy, while light and calm shades keep the overall look balanced and liveable.
Sunny & graphic
Goethe Yellow – Verdure Blue – Namibian Sand – Olive
Goethe Yellow forms the cheerful foundation of this palette and instantly brings optimism into the space. Verdure Blue adds a fresh contrast, while Namibian Sand softens the overall look. Olive introduces a mature vintage undertone.
This palette works beautifully in a kitchen, dining room or creative workspace with light wood accents, graphic details and rounded shapes. Combine it with walnut, teak, warm-toned art and a floor with a visible wood grain. Use the red and yellow accents in moderation to keep the interior bold without making it feel too busy.
Bold & expressive
Medici Red – Carmine Red – Santorini Blue – Casper Blue
This palette is bold and energetic, perfect for those who want retro colour to make a real statement. Medici Red and Carmine Red bring warmth and movement, while Santorini Blue and Casper Blue provide a fresh, balanced contrast. Choose one colour as the main feature and repeat the other shades in art, textiles or decorative details.
Earthy & authentic
Umber Brown – Absint Green – Namibian Sand - Olive Green
Umber Brown gives this palette a warm 1970s foundation and pairs beautifully with wood veneer, ceramics and amber-coloured glass. Absint Green and Olive add a botanical, distinctive nuance. Namibian Sand keeps the interior light and prevents the overall look from becoming too heavy. Ideal for a living room with velvet, floral patterns and soft ambient lighting.
Cheerful details with a story
Retro accessories are meant to be seen, but they do not all need to compete for attention at the same time. Choose a few distinctive pieces, such as coloured glass, ceramics, a graphic cushion, vintage lighting, a striking artwork or wallpaper with a bold pattern. Subtly repeat colours from your chosen Decoration Paint palette in the accessories, so the interior remains playful without becoming cluttered.
Brenda’s tip
Bring retro into your home
Retro living is all about the combination of colour, shape and atmosphere. Wood veneer, velvet, ceramics, glass, plastic, Formica and floral fabrics give this style its distinctive character.
Combine smooth and glossy surfaces with soft textiles and warm wood tones to keep the room lively without making it feel too busy. Long sheer curtains or floral-patterned drapes soften the daylight and create a nostalgic atmosphere. In the evening, warm lighting, coloured glass, candlelight and glossy accents produce that characteristic retro glow.
Shop the retro style
Create your retro interior with Decoration Paint, bold wallpaper, vintage home accessories, artwork, ceramics, fabrics and decorative accents from our webshop. Choose one strong starting point, such as a painting, vase or wallpaper, and build the rest of the interior around it using colour, material and shape.
Retro wallpaper
The ochre floral pattern creates a warm 1970s look and pairs beautifully with Goethe Yellow, Namibian Sand and natural materials.
Retro wallpaper as art
This wallpaper adds graphic softness and connects fresh blue tones with green, making it a perfect match for a playful retro palette with Verdure Blue, Casper Blue or Absint Green.
Colourful flowers
The orange gerbera instantly brings cheerfulness and colour to a retro interior and complements the warm, optimistic atmosphere of the 1960s and 1970s beautifully.De oranje gerbera brengt direct vrolijkheid en kleur in een retro interieur en sluit mooi aan bij de warme, optimistische sfeer van de jaren ’60 en ’70.