When you think of '60s interior design trends, chequered floors, color blocking, and retro appliances probably come to mind. And while these designs have for so long appeared outdated, they are making a strong comeback this year, but in an updated and on-trend way.
Now more than ever we are seeing many interior design trends hailing from past decades, all labeled as retro or vintage. From the aesthetics proving popular to the colors and furniture filling our homes, they all nod back to decades past, and the '60s style is creeping its way back into our homes.
Not *everything* from the 60s is back in style, and there is a clear modernized approach to the revived design elements. To help keep you on the right track, we've asked interior designers which outdated '60s interior design trends are making a comeback and how to introduce them to our homes.
Revived '60s interior design trends to try this year
Styling old trends to work with today's aesthetics isn't always an easy task. But these designer-approved spaces will ensure your '60s-inspired features will look stylish rather than outdated.
1. Chequered floors
There are few design features from the '60s as iconic as the chequered floors – from diners to home kitchens to hallways, this striking flooring style is back in a big way. Authentic spaces of the era would have featured bright hues, but their revival sees a more subtle approach to color.
'The chequered floor look is fabulous in any setting, working in Victorian homes it feels authentic and classic, using marble in black and white or pairing black and terracotta squares can be a humble look for utilities, sculleries and conservatories – it's very traditional but can work surprisingly well in all homes,' explains Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens.
Alongside these more traditional pairings, muted versions of the bold colors of the '60s are set to prevail. 'The pale chequered look with off-whites and pastels such as pale blue can give a wonderful mid-century feel, light and joyful it’s a lovely fresh look,' she adds.
2. Graphic colors
Bold hues and color blocking prevailed in the 60s, and this design style is once again proving popular. From brightly colored rooms to geometric color-blocked designs, this revived trend is a steadfast way to add personality and character to any scheme.
'From bold strokes of self-expressive colors to modernist minimalism, many design elements from the 1960s continue to influence today’s home décor. A fearless color palette featuring lime greens, organic mustards, and groovy oranges, along with bold patterns and artwork, offers a personalized touch,' says Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore.
'Drawing inspiration from the color-blocking fashion trend of the 1960s, this graphic treatment painted with Pan for Gold 181, Golden Gate 033, and Glade Green 489, offers a creative approach to infusing vibrant colors into the space. The decor takes a minimalistic approach to balance the eye-catching elements. The clean and simple lines of the bed and the side table mirror the graphic shapes found in the rectangular pattern, bringing cohesion and balance to the room,' she adds.
3. Wooden cabinetry
The '60s decade was part of the Mid-century era, and wooden cabinetry was all the rage. And as this style of kitchen makes a comeback, you'll be glad to hear it's returning in a more elevated style.
'Mid-century cupboards are definitely gaining popularity in the kitchen world – I think it’s the natural soft colors of wood and the nostalgic feel they radiate. People want their homes to feel calm and tranquil and the mid-century look offers this along with a less ostentatious feel and more of a recycled and authentic look,' says Helen.
'Wood has always been a popular choice for kitchens but not the orange pine of the eighties but more of an elegant and sleeker style and color that blends well in living and dining areas too, giving the kitchen and family rooms of the home a soft and comfortable air,' she adds.
4. Bold furniture pieces
Bold furniture choices might have fallen out of favor in recent years, replaced by classic designs made from natural materials, but this year we are seeing a renewed appreciation for these statement pieces.
In this dining room by Erin Myers Design, a nod to the '60s style has been introduced through various elements, but most noticeably the bold yellow dining table. 'The use of bright colors harkens back to the decade where bright colors and pastels were mixed to great effect,' explains Erin.
This revived '60s interior design trend comes as no surprise, as homeowners look to decor and furniture items that infuse their spaces with unique appeal. Pairing this yellow table with a warm hue on the walls and chairs with rattan detailing (another '60s reference), the space has the perfect balance of nostalgia and modernity.
5. Colourful kitchens
Wooden cabinetry isn't the only kitchen design of the '60s making a comeback. The decade is renowned for its bright, bold colors – colorful kitchens were at the center of it all, and they're having a revival.
'Multi-colored cupboards in brighter mixes and combinations is something we’ve seen a lot more of recently. The '60s block bold look is fresh and youthful and adds a fun element to your home. Mixed with mid-century classics and straight lines it’s a perfect antidote to the obvious parred-back look so many people opt for,' says Helen.
'Being bold with color can be scary, especially when mixing several, but when done well it’s a unique and unusual choice that can make for a very cheerful home,' she adds.
6. Lucite decor
Home decor and furniture of the '60s featured a lot of acrylics, one of the most popular being Lucite. Usually colorful and translucent, this material has gone from an outdated design feature to a much-loved element that adds a playful element to interiors.
'A '60s interior design trend I have happily welcomed back is Lucite, especially in a kitchen or bathroom as cabinet hardware or artwork framing. Lucite is a vintage style that also feels very modern, and I love how it allows light to pass through and can make a space feel bigger. It also always adds a cool vibe to any room,' explains interior designer Louise Hane.
With more people gravitating towards decorating with vintage pieces this year, it's no surprise people are finding a renewed sense of joy in this once-outdated trend.
7. Terrazzo designs
The popularity of Terrazzo flooring in Californian and Floridian homes took off in the '60s, both for its unique design and cooling properties. And while Terrazzo flooring isn't making a comeback this year, there is an emerging trend for introducing design elements in the style.
'We went for a modern take on 60s inspiration in this kitchen featuring slab front cabinets, mixing a solid white and wood grain, with a terrazzo-inspired quartz countertop, and brought in those retro bright pops of color with accessories,' explains Melanie King, designer at Isy's Interiors.
The new approach to Terrazzo proves the return of '60s interior design trends is all about embracing the style of the decade but making it work today. 'This trend is all about the functionality of straight lines combined with the whimsy of color and the throwback to classic materials,' Melanie adds.
8. Retro appliances
No '60s kitchen was complete without retro appliances – schemes with a brightly-colored, freestanding Smeg fridge was iconic of the decade, but 2024 is the year this design trend seems to be making a comeback following a prolonged period of integrated appliances.
'We love a retro fridge or cooker, they have such personality and good shapes that you don’t get in modern sleek appliances. Adding a chubby retro fridge can alone make a kitchen more appealing and fun,' says Helen.
The popularity of retro appliances has increased thanks to their accessibility – original examples can still be found, but companies are crafting retro-style appliances that offer an authentic nod to the original trend. 'This retro look has been around for two or more decades but it’s still loved and coveted whether it’s a true vintage piece or a new classic,' adds Helen.
As color and character dominate 2024, it's no surprise these are the '60s interior design trends people are falling back in love with. While some styles have returned as they were, others are being revived in a more nuanced way that feels more on-style in today's homes.
So, whether you reintroduce bold color-blocked schemes or take inspiration from the kitchen designs of the decade, there are plenty of ideas here for adding a nostalgic nod to the '60s!
