Retro Design Trends That Are Making A Comeback In 2025

Home decor, like fashion, is reliably cyclical. Trends ebb and flow, then re-emerge decades after their height with modern twists and contemporary takes. Often, once-in-the-moment looks of the past come back with a vengeance, sometimes with refreshing reinventions.

Sarah Bilotta, House Digest's in-house design expert and board member for the Journal of Design History, explains that the reason for many of these comebacks is emotional. She says, "There is an element of nostalgia that always influences the resurgence of retro trends: People seem to want to decorate their homes with things that remind them of their childhood or happy times in their lives."

So what retro trends are poised to make a comeback in 2025? House Digest talked to the experts to gain valuable insight into how the past will influence the culture of design over the next year. And, we've given you a head start with ways you can implement these re-emerging looks in your own home.

When it comes to wood paneling, it seems like the trends are always cycling. And according to experts, another shift is occurring. Courtney Batten, a certified interior designer and Principal at Paige Studio in Dallas, explains exclusively to House Digest, "We're moving away from the shiplap of the 2010s to true wood paneling, with rich tones like mahogany, teak, and walnut making a comeback. High-quality wood paneling brings a warmth and depth that speaks to the timeless appeal of natural materials."

The historic home renovation expert explains that natural wood paneling is coming back in style due to its authentic feel. However, you don't need to rip out your shiplap and hire a millworker to install all new paneling. Batten explains that wood veneer wallcovering can give you a similar look for less.

Products like Art3d's Wood Slat Textured Panels are simple to cut and install with adhesive and basic tools. Plus, their narrower slats give you a modern twist on the dated wood paneling look. Or, if your shiplap is just painted natural wood planks, sand it down and stain it in a warmer color that emulates the look of mahogany or walnut.

After years of grays taking center stage, a shift to warmer aesthetics is happening in all areas of the design world, including wood stains. Batten points out, "Gone are the days of whitewashed oak and cool-toned gray wood stains dominating the interior design landscape. My clients are asking for warmth in their homes, and I predict that in 2025, we'll all start to have more appreciation for the character and richness of wood rather than bleaching it all to look like a Scandinavian Pinterest image."

The designer explains that the key to integrating this retro trend in your home is creating balance to avoid an overwhelmingly dark space. She recommends mixing wood tones, like using airier flooring if you're going with a darker cabinet stain. It's also important to keep the wall color light to counterbalance any dark wood tones. For instance, white hues that read more yellow can play well off warm wood-stained surfaces. Look for ones with creamy vibes, like Mascarpone by Benjamin Moore. Or, for a less intense contrast that still keeps your space bright, pair wood tones with airy beiges like Stucco by Sherwin Williams.

Square 4-by-4-inch tiles were once the go-to for bathroom showers and kitchen backsplashes. Now, according to Batten, they're making a comeback thanks to the nostalgia they can inject into these rooms. The designer explains, "These classic tiles bring a nostalgic touch to bathrooms and kitchens, showing up in a range of colors and patterns that feel playful and fresh. Updating this look with creative layouts and vivid hues is a fun way to use these tiles without looking dated." She also noticed them popping up as countertop alternatives, and while they look fun and quirky, she notes they aren't very practical. "I'd steer away from countertop applications, though, because who wants to clean that grout again?" she explains. However, no matter your current design aesthetic, you can use them to bring a throwback vibe to your kitchen or bathroom.

If you have a space with eclectic or maximalist decor, lean into the trend with brightly-hued versions like Dyari's Square Tiles in Yellow Ochre or Teal Green. For more modern spaces, you can still implement the look with a square tile in sleek black or charcoal with a matte finish. Or, if you're looking for an elevated twist on this retro look, opt for textural versions like Bond Tile's Southhampton Satin Finish Wall Tile with a handmade look.

House Digest's in-house design expert, Sarah Bilotta, explains that postmodern furniture is making a comeback. She notes that the retro style is popular with everyone from millennials to Gen Zers looking to express their creativity. And one of the most iconic trends, Memphis Design Group-inspired pieces, are coming back with their geometric shapes and vivid hues.

Bilotta believes that there are a few factors causing the comeback. She explains, "Firstly, with the complete overload of choices available online, people are becoming more drawn to pieces that naturally stand out in the crowd." This cyclical trend also echoes the fashion world bringing back the bright hues and playful materials popular in the '90s.

However, many furniture designers are giving the retro style a modern twist. For example, the Baleares Barrel Chair features the style's curvy lines and plump cushioning with cozy sherpa fabric and sleek gold metal legs. Or, if you're feeling crafty, you can source your own Memphis Design-inspired piece off Facebook marketplace or from a secondhand store. Then, give it a modern twist by upholstering your vintage furniture piece in an on-trend fabric like boucle or velvet.

Have you noticed an uptick in folky decor and handmade knick-knacks? If you have, it's because folk art is about to come back around in a big way. "Handcrafted, folk-artsy pieces are popular right now among younger designers, and the eco movement has really pushed the popularity of traditional handmade adornments for the home," Bilotta notes. Not only is sustainability pushing that trend, but so is the rejection of internet powerhouses, like Amazon. "The internet is like a massive design catalog where you can purchase anything you want, so generations that have grown up with this at their fingertips are craving decor that can be completely personalized — things no one else will have. Antiques and handmade crafts both meet that criteria," she notes.

Bilotta explains that one specific medium, stained glass, is trending on social media, predicting it will have a big moment in 2025. The expert explains, "Some of the biggest design creators right now on TikTok are stained glass artists, producing everything from tiny suncatchers to massive installations." Along the same lines, Bilotta explains that the macramé of the past is once again earning its space on the wall. She says, "Likewise, textile arts like crochet and needlepoint are back in vogue with the cottagecore trend and show no sign of stopping." The reason for this, she notes, is that consumers are craving one-of-a-kind pieces instead of mass-produced decor.

"We haven't seen a push for arts and crafts like this since the '70s. The reasons for this? Unlike mass-produced decor, something handmade truly speaks to the spirit of a time and place. With the influx of cheap options from Amazon and Temu, we can have anything we want — but what we want is something nobody has. It's opposing big business, too, opting to give your money to a maker down the street instead of a giant corporation." Luckily, online marketplaces like Etsy have put handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces at customers' fingertips. This provides the convenience of shopping online while still supporting makers and small businesses. If you're feeling crafty, look for a glass art studio or crochet class in your area and create your own kitschy piece.

Murphy beds go back to the late-1800s. At the time, inventor William Lawrence Murphy was trying to make the most of his studio apartment and create a multi-functional space. However, as the designs evolved, they were used to transform single-use spaces into multifunctional rooms like office and guest room combos. Thanks to their space-saving efficiency and practicality, Bilotta says they're making a comeback. She notes this is due to economic conditions, explaining, "As inflation rises and home prices skyrocket, people are living with smaller, more affordable footprints and integrating multi-use spaces into their home design to make the most out of each room. Instead of having a guest bed take up your whole guest room, a Murphy bed lets you tuck the sleeping space away and use the rest of the room as a home office when you don't have guests in town." Plus, the growing popularity of tiny homes means that more and more people have to get creative with more compact spaces.

Today, it's not hard to find a Murphy bed that will fit your space. Merax's Queen Size Murphy Bed has a crisp white color, clean lines, and features like integrated LED lights. The Murphybedz Tuscany Murphy Bed folds up into a chest instead of the wall and has a more rustic look. But if you want to create a custom take on this retro trend, you can buy Create-A-Bed's Murphy Bed Kit and build your own with the included lumber cut list.

Back in the 1700s, pampered dogs were living the life, and that included lounging on plush beds. During that time, Bilotta explains, it was trendy to make sure your furry friend had an elaborate bed made of luxurious materials like velvet and silk. However, such miniature furniture eventually became viewed as frivolous, and more practical sleeping arrangements became the mainstay for pets.

However this is changing, as Bilotta elaborates, "Animal-loving millennials are blending their pets' necessities in with their own decor. Retailers like Chewy sell cat and dog beds in every design style, from Victorian to mid-century modern." This could be a product of the pandemic, as people gained pets during the time and began to value their company more. "With so many people adopting cats and dogs during these quarantined months, it no longer seemed over-the-top to treat your cat like a member of the family — even deserving of a miniature tufted Chesterfield sofa," Bilotta says.

Making your pet's bed a stylistic addition to your space is easy with the options on the market. If your space leans mid-century modern, give your four-legged friend a slumber spot with clean lines like GDFStudio's Small Plush Pet Bed. Or if your space is quirky and bright, Fluffy can have his or her own statement-making piece like Getifun's Pet Velvet Couch. However, if you want the iconic and sophisticated look that comes with tufts and nailhead trim, look for options like The Dachshund Collection's Handmade Velvet Upholstered Pet Bed.

Bilotta's personal favorite retro trend making a comeback is ceiling beams. "For a long time, beamed ceilings were associated with the low-ceilinged, tiny bungalow homes of the 1940s. Later, they came to be affiliated with decor of a western hunting lodge – certainly not for everyone. Now, beams are being reused in a variety of ways that are chic, creative, and work with a variety of styles: from the traditional parallel beams, vaulted beams, and beams arranged in a variety of patterns to mimic a coffered ceiling." Bilotta believes this is for a couple of reasons. Hollow beams made from lightweight materials are easy to install and readily available, making it a DIY-friendly project. Ceilings also tend to be taller in modern homes, meaning there's more room to accommodate elements like beams that can highlight the room's height. "If your ceilings are over 9 feet — which most new builds are — you are no longer going to feel closed-in by a drop beam. This was not the case thirty years ago, when ground floor ceilings were still closer to 7-8 feet," she explains.

Of course, you can source a beam from a contractor and have them install it in your space. However, alternatives made from materials like polyurethane are lightweight and come at a much lower cost. Products like American Pro Décor's Unfinished Wood-Look Beam can be stained in any hue. So go with a classic color for a more retro look, or use a more modern hue for a contemporary twist.

After a phase of minimalism and linear shapes, curvy, softer shapes are being welcomed back into design. And Shiva Samiei, CEO of Shiva Samiei & Co., is noticing this trend with her clients. The interior designer exclusively tells House Digest, "I'm seeing a strong revival of 1930s-style rounded wall mirrors with built-in sconces. My Los Angeles clients have started requesting these statement pieces in their entryways and powder rooms."

Not only do these curvy mirrors bring a welcoming softness to the space, but they can add interest and character as well. Samiei recalls, "One recent installation featured a curved brass frame with frosted glass sconces that created stunning light patterns." Depending on the piece chosen, the sconces can provide functional light in bathrooms or ambient light in spaces like entryways.

This is a retro trend that can be an investment to add to your space, with authentic pieces costing nearly $3,000. However, you can install a modern take on the trend for a fraction of the price. For example, this Vintage German Bathroom Mirror with Glass Sconces has soft lines and ornate details.

With the pivot away from minimalist styles and clean-lined furniture pieces, people are looking for ways to make their living spaces look more cozy and welcoming. Samiei explains that '40s-inspired skirted furniture is another trend that's growing thanks to that shift. She says, "I just completed a Dubai project where we added custom box-pleated skirts to modern sofas and armchairs."

Ironically, the reason for this trend returning is also functional when it comes to modern lifestyles. She explains, "The skirts hide smart home techs like robotic vacuums and charging stations while bringing back that classic, streamlined look. The rise of smart home devices has created a real need to blend technology with elegant design solutions."

You don't have to purchase new furniture to hop on this retro trend. Adding a skirt to your current sofa and armchairs can be as simple as attaching fringe or rope tassel trim long enough to hide the gap between the sofa and the floor. Or, transform your current furniture with skirted covers like SureFit's Ruffled Sofa Slipcovers.

Plastered walls have many benefits, including being durable and mold-resistant. Plus, they reduce noise pollution, creating a more peaceful home. So, with the addition of metallic accents, it's no surprise that Samiei is seeing the material making a comeback. The interior designer explains, "My Vancouver projects show growing interest in 1950s Venetian plastered walls with metallic inlays. This technique creates subtle shimmer without the boldness of wallpaper."

However, this is one retro trend that requires a major overhaul to pull off. Plastering your walls can run you up to $10 per square foot, with the average room costing about $5,000. If you're looking to add texture and a touch of sheen to your walls, Galerie Wallcoverings' Italian Design Texture Wallpaper is a more cost-effective way to get a similar look.