Retro décor isn’t just having a moment—it’s staging a full-blown comeback. From mid-century sideboards to lava lamps, vintage style is weaving its way back into modern homes in a big way. And this isn’t just nostalgia talking—market trends, design surveys, and resale data all show a spike in demand for certain throwback pieces.
What’s driving the surge? A mix of timeless craftsmanship, bold personality, and the comfort of familiar aesthetics in an era of minimalism. These aren’t dusty relics—they’re statement-makers, conversation starters, and investment pieces.
Whether you’re decorating from scratch or hunting for that one perfect accent, these 12 retro finds are hotter than ever—and each has a story worth telling.
1. Sunburst Mirrors
First seen in 17th-century France and later championed by mid-century modern design, sunburst mirrors are back for good reason: they act like jewelry for your walls. The radiating spokes pull the eye and bounce light, instantly brightening small or dim spaces. Designers love their flexibility—you can anchor a mantel, top a console, or finish a gallery wall with one striking piece.
Today’s market spans antique brass originals, gilt Hollywood Regency styles, and airy rattan interpretations that lean boho or coastal. Because they deliver shape, shine, and scale in a single object, sunburst mirrors frequently replace heavier artwork and help rooms feel taller and more open. If you’re testing the retro waters, this is an easy, high-impact starting point.
2. Chesterfield Sofas
Nothing telegraphs “classic” like a Chesterfield. Deep button tufting, rolled arms, and a low back create a silhouette that reads luxe in leather and cozy in velvet. What’s fueling the revival is versatility: scaled-down apartment versions, bold jewel tones, and family-friendly performance fabrics bring this heritage frame into modern life. The low profile keeps sight lines open in small living rooms, while the generous seat depth invites lounging.
Style it traditional with brass and wood, or contrast it with contemporary lighting and abstract art for high-low tension. Because the frame is sturdy and the look is evergreen, a Chesterfield functions like a long-term investment—equally at home in a formal parlor or a casual, layered space.
3. Record Players
Turntables have migrated from thrift-shop curios to living-room centerpieces as vinyl sales surge. The appeal is equal parts ritual and sound: the tactile lift of a tonearm, the album art, and that warm analog crackle. Modern decks bridge past and present with Bluetooth output, built-in preamps, and compact speakers, so you can stream or spin without a stereo rack.
A small record nook—player on a mid-century cabinet, sleeves in a crate below—adds instant character and becomes a natural conversation starter when guests browse your collection. Even if you’re not an audiophile, a turntable softens tech-heavy spaces and encourages slower, more intentional listening sessions that feel downright luxurious.
4. Typewriters
Typewriters are design catnip: sculptural keys, enamel finishes, and mechanical heft that reads like functional art. While few of us will clack out manuscripts, these machines shine as décor because they signal craft and history. Park one on a bookshelf beside paperbacks, or style it on a writing desk with a brass lamp and framed black-and-white photos for instant “writerly” atmosphere.
If you find a working model, occasional notes or gift tags typed on real ribbon add charming texture to everyday life. As a sustainable bonus, rescuing a vintage typewriter from the attic keeps a piece of design heritage in circulation—and gives your space a distinct, storied focal point.
5. Rotary Phones
Rotary phones are the antidote to invisible tech. Their curved silhouettes, hefty handsets, and candy-colored housings bring playful shape to shelves and side tables. Functioning models can be retrofitted with adapters, but even as objets d’art, they deliver personality—especially in entryways, home offices, or kid spaces with a vintage twist.
Pair a pastel phone with modern art for a cheeky contrast, or stage a glossy black model with books and a banker’s lamp for noir vibes. In minimalist rooms, a single rotary phone becomes the wink that keeps the space from feeling too serious, reminding us that design can be both beautiful and a little bit fun.
6. Mid-Century Sideboards
Few pieces work harder than a mid-century sideboard. Clean lines, tapered legs, and generous storage make it a natural in dining rooms for serveware and linens. In living rooms, it moonlights as a media console that hides cables yet still feels furniture-forward, not tech-driven. Top it with a turntable, art books, or a sculptural lamp to create a purposeful vignette.
Wood tones—from teak to walnut—add warmth to white walls and modern flooring, while the low profile keeps spaces feeling airy. If you’re short on closets, a sideboard quietly absorbs the overflow without telegraphing “storage,” which explains why demand keeps climbing on both vintage and newly made versions.
7. Persian Rugs
Persian rugs bring pattern, pedigree, and durability—all in one layer. Hand-knotted wool stands up to foot traffic while mellowing beautifully over time, and the nuanced palettes make rooms feel collected rather than “decorated.” Designers often use them to anchor open-plan spaces, define conversation areas, or soften modern architecture with history and craft.
Try layering a smaller vintage rug over a neutral flatweave if you’re easing into color, or run a runner down a long hallway for warmth and sound absorption. Because Persian rugs play nicely with everything from leather sofas to linen slipcovers, they’re one of the safest ways to add depth without committing to bold painted walls.
8. Vintage Posters
Vintage posters are affordable art with outsized personality. Film, travel, and exhibition prints inject color and story without eating floor space, and a consistent frame treatment—black metal, natural oak, or brass—turns mixed imagery into a cohesive gallery wall.
In rentals, large-scale posters can visually expand small rooms and distract from less-than-perfect finishes. Seek out themes that reflect you (favorite cities, classic cinema, mid-century typography) to keep the look intentional rather than random. Rotating pieces seasonally keeps walls fresh, and because posters are light and easy to store, they’re ideal for serial decorators who like to tweak a space without a full redesign.
9. Wicker Furniture
Wicker is the texture modern rooms often miss. Lightweight yet sturdy, it tempers sharp lines and hard surfaces with woven warmth. Vintage peacock chairs, rattan side tables, and cane-front cabinets layer beautifully with contemporary sofas and metal lighting, adding depth without visual heaviness.
In small spaces, a wicker accent chair reads airy and mobile, while baskets corral throws, toys, or plant pots with natural charm. Indoors, stick to pieces with tight, intact weaves; outdoors, choose weather-friendly finishes. Whether your vibe skews boho, coastal, or clean and minimal, a touch of wicker delivers that relaxed, lived-in feel designers chase.
10. Milk Glass
Milk glass is quietly charismatic—its opaque, creamy finish softens shelves and tabletops the way linen softens a sofa. Collectors love the variety: hobnail vases, pedestal bowls, cake stands, and lamps that mix seamlessly with clear glass and terracotta. Use a trio of bud vases down a dining table, or cluster bowls on a sideboard for a tonal vignette that feels intentional, not cluttered.
Because white bridges styles and seasons, milk glass transitions from spring florals to holiday greenery with ease. It’s also a smart starter collection: pieces remain relatively affordable, and just a few well-chosen forms can make a room feel curated fast.
11. Lava Lamps
Once a dorm-room cliché, lava lamps are now deliberately cheeky accents that loosen up serious spaces. The slow, hypnotic flow casts a cozy glow perfect for media rooms, shelves, or a moody bar cart. Choose classic silver bases for a true ’70s read, or matte black for a contemporary twist.
Because they’re more ambiance than task lighting, pair them with a floor lamp or sconce for balance. In minimalist rooms, a single lava lamp introduces color and movement without visual clutter; in maximalist spaces, it plays happily among bold art and patterned textiles. Either way, it signals a room that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
12. Velvet Upholstery
Velvet earns its comeback on feel and function. The dense pile catches light for luxurious depth while standing up to daily use—especially in modern performance weaves. Jewel-tone sofas make instant statements; camel, slate, and moss read quietly rich. If a full sofa feels bold, try accent chairs, ottomans, or throw pillows to test the look.
Velvet pairs beautifully with wood, marble, brass, and linen, adding softness to clean, contemporary rooms and extra lushness to traditional ones. Bonus: the fabric photographs beautifully, so spaces styled with velvet tend to look elevated in listings or social posts—one reason stagers and designers reach for it again and again.
