HGTV's Shea McGee Explains What The 'Grandpa Chic' Decor Trend Is All About

Many have been influenced by the style of their grandparents, proving that trends are always cyclical. The grandma aesthetic has reigned supreme, with niches like coastal grandma and grandmillennial borrowing from the design features of older generations. Both styles have a light and airy feel, with floral patterns and bright colors mixed in. However, there has been a rise in more masculine aesthetics when it comes to home décor. Think of your grandpa's man cave or home office.

Shea McGee of design firm Studio McGee and host of "Dream Home Makeover" has been loving this traditional moody aesthetic. Dubbed country club grandpa and grandpa chic, McGee says this style is gaining popularity. "It's a little Ralph Lauren and a little Steve McQueen, mahogany meets worn-in leather," she wrote on her blog. While it errs more on the masculine side of style, grandpa chic still retains much of the cozy and nostalgic feelings that its grandma counterpart has.

Overall, it seems like the design pendulum is swinging towards styles that feel more cozy and lived-in rather than perfectly designed showpieces — embracing styles that remind people of their grandparents and most likely trigger good feelings and memories that people associate with spending time with them. However, these grandparent-inspired styles are still aesthetically pleasing and have a modern twist to them. As important as capturing the style is, comfort is also a top priority. "Grandpa chic rooms should be well designed, but guests shouldn't be afraid to sit down," interior designer Chris Jovanelly told Better Homes and Gardens. 

An important aspect of grandpa chic is the feeling that the room and design have come together over time. Instead of running out to the store and buying all the décor on the weekend or over a few weeks, take a pause. Unlike renovation shows, a room doesn't have to be finished on a tight timeline. Allow yourself to naturally find interesting furniture and decorative objects to create that collected look. Head to thrift stores and antique shops to find those unique pieces. Look for old books, wood clocks, antique rugs, chess sets, and old oil paintings. As for aged furniture, look for traditional high-backed armchairs, wood tables, and lighting with brass finishes. 

Grandpa chic has a refined and elegant air to it as if your grandparents spent their weekends at the country club. The colors lean more on the darker side of the spectrum for a cozier and moodier space. Dark browns and gray are the go-to neutrals for this aesthetic. As for color, burgundy, forest green, and navy blue are staples of grandpa chic. Choose heavy wood furniture with darker stain finishes or naturally dark woods like mahogany and walnut. These darker wood tones would also look great on the floor or as a paneled wall. Leather is another characteristic element of the style. Leather for main pieces like the sofa or side chairs makes a statement; add leather ottomans and pillows for smaller accents.

Plaid will also be a large aspect of this aesthetic, particularly ones with red or green as the main color. Make a statement with the pattern by using plaid wallpaper or use plaid as an accent through blankets and throw pillows. If you find plaid too overwhelming, stripes, both vertical and horizontal, can achieve the same effect without feeling too like too much.