9 Retro Colors That Are Back in Style for Home Interiors

Everything old is new again with these comfortingly familiar hues.

kitchen with green cabinets and wood floors
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.

01 of 09

Mauve

Sofa and armchair by coffee table in living room
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

bedroom with clay beige walls blue and white striped rug
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.

03 of 09

Denim Blue

master bedroom dark gray blue painted walls
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.

04 of 09

Earthy Green

kitchen with green cabinets and wood floors
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.

05 of 09

Yellow

bright yellow corner wall and curtains
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

white farmhouse dining wood candelabra plate display
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.

07 of 09

Mint Green

kitchen with wooden cabinets and light green island
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.

08 of 09

Pastel Pink

pink bathroom walls double white vanity gold pulls oval black mirrors
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

bright red living room
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.

Paint Colors of the Year for 2024

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