Decorating Color 9 Retro Colors That Are Back in Style for Home Interiors Everything old is new again with these comfortingly familiar hues. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 8, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Werner Straube 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. Meet Our 2023 Color Stars: 10 Designers Expertly Decorating with Color 01 of 09 Mauve Adam Albright 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. 02 of 09 Beige Granen Photography 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. How to Make the Most of Neutral Beige Walls for Chic Style 03 of 09 Denim Blue Adam Albright 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. Research Shows Navy Blue Is the Most Relaxing Color in the World 04 of 09 Earthy Green Werner Straube Consider this today's answer to the avocado green of the 1960s and '70s. Deep, earthy shades of green have sprouted up all over. They're trendy in kitchens as a dramatic cabinet color and in bathroom towels and accessories (like this Better Homes & Gardens Solid Waffle Fabric Shower Curtain, $24, Walmart). Select a hue with plenty of gray mixed in for a retro color that reads as neutral. The Top Green Paint Colors Designers Swear By 05 of 09 Yellow Brittany Ambridge 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 (like in this Better Homes & Gardens Decorative Throw Pillow, $16, Walmart). For a fresh twist, amp up the intensity of this retro color with a vibrant shade of lemon or citrine. 06 of 09 Warm White Nathan Schroder 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. 20 Cottage Bedroom Ideas for the Coziest Retreat 07 of 09 Mint Green Kritsada Panichgul 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 (like this Better Homes & Gardens Embroidered Botanical Pillow, $18, Walmart) with soft whites and wood tones for a fresh, natural look. 14 Charming Ways to Decorate with Pastel Colors 08 of 09 Pastel Pink Wall paint color: Ballerina PPG1183-1, Glidden. 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. 09 of 09 Red Joyelle West Red was a go-to paint color during the post-war period as people sought to create brighter, more cheerful homes. In contemporary spaces, it provides dramatic color that still feels classic. Go with true red for a bold accent, or veer toward deeper shades of burgundy for a luxurious feel. The Best Red Paint Colors for Crimson, Burgundy, and More Paint Colors of the Year for 2024 Behr's Color of the Year 2024 Proves that Black Is the Perfect Neutral Glidden's Color of the Year is a Creamy, Champagne-Inspired Shade The HGTV Home By Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2024 Pick Brings Coziness to Life Valspar's Color of the Year 2024 Is a Bright Yet Balanced Blue Graham & Brown's 2024 Color of the Year Is a Chic Muted Green Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit