The Best Old School Decor Ideas Designers Still Love

Mainetti points out that mixing metals is no longer a design don’t do it. “[It] “Combining things like brushed brass, matte and polished black nickel can make a space feel clean and organized,” she says.

He says it can be enhanced by choosing one dominant tone (like brass) and accentuating it with lighting, cabinetry or faucets. “This adds depth of interest and perspective without clutter,” he says.

Brass is back in a big way, says Mainetti. But now it’s a softer, smoother finish than the shiny sounds of the 1980s. “We combine warm copper accents with matte black or natural wood to strike a balance between heritage and modern minimalism,” he explains. “People long for warmth and personality after years of cool gray tones. Brass brings both at once, making today’s spaces have a timeless elegance.”

Chicago-based Park & ​​Oak Interior Design partner Renee DiSanto says, “Wallpaper, especially designs with focused wall borders, is making a comeback in modern spaces as a way to add depth and texture with covered materials.” He notes that wallpaper patterns popular in the ’80s and ’90s are being reimagined through a modern lens. “[They offer] warmth and personality that cannot be found in the white or blue rooms of recent times.”

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It’s time to start selling real estate. Leah Bolger of award-winning studio Leah Bolger Design tells us that family heirlooms and vintage pieces find new life in modern interiors. He recommends, “combining these heritage pieces with clean furniture or neutral palettes balances nostalgic charm with modern simplicity, creating spaces that feel spiritual and contemporary.”

“People are realizing that new spaces can feel dirty,” says Bolger. “There’s a renewed love of finds and antiques, from hand-carved mirrors and distressed picture frames to small treasures like Lichtenstein Rosenthal plates or an Art Deco Toastmaster toaster.”

Bay Area interior designer Tina Montemayor of Tina Montemayor Design takes pride in creating vintage spaces, and she believes that Art Deco is back. “[It’s] not only because of its beauty, but for the beauty behind it.” He adds: “Similarly, the metals and the grinding, they all reflect a kind of care that will never deviate.”

Marcy Kelman, home decor writer and custom framing expert from CustomFrames.com, points out that wall designs are still very stylish, even if they’re no longer your traditional, uniform display of black picture frames. “A wall of vintage black frames adds luxury to any decor. It’s a timeless design, pleasing to the eye and never going out of style,” she says.

Kelman recommends keeping the frames 2-3 inches apart to ensure the eye is drawn to the framing and not the empty spaces between the frames.

Vanessa Larsson, interior designer at Planner 5D, points out that canopies and drapery are back. Historically, bedsteads were designed for warmth and privacy, with heavy velvets and decorative fringes from carved wooden frames.

Larsson points out that the focus is on lightness and flow. “To achieve this, soften the formula and let the fabric breathe,” he suggests. “Choose natural textures, neutral tones and clean lines. The result is a space that feels cozy yet light and romantic.”

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“Nowadays designers are trying to put behind glass cabinets with patterned wallpaper, turning a simple storage space into a design statement,” Larsson also points out. Some paint the inside of cabinets or an open shelf in bold, unexpected colors that create a dramatic contrast with the exterior.

We love the revival of this design because it provides visual interest and creates tension in the room. “Must be [makes] pay more attention to balance, focus and visual storytelling; the things inside are becoming more and more visible and alive,” Larsson adds.

Laura Medicus of Laura Medicus Interiors, based in Denver, Colorado, points out that home comfort is back and we’re seeing it presented in more stylish pieces and shapes than stark walls. Medicus offers examples: beadboard, painting in rich, earthy tones and combining it with wallpaper created in a new but timeless style. He explains: “Rolled sofas are also making a comeback. “People want to feel comfortable and comfortable for many based on traditional styles. Look for it with a bold stripe or other unexpected fabric for a modern twist on personality.”