Retro Is Back: 16 Frugal Boomer Home Trends Reigniting in 2024

Retro home appliances

People sometimes crave simplicity, especially amid intimidating technological advancements. Combine that with rising thrift store shopping trips amid sky-high living costs and modern youngsters’ affinity for retro amenities, and you’ve got a renewed interest in older ways of living.

Additionally, people get bored of current trends and often want to express themselves through something novel. Sometimes, the solution is to dig into the past for inspiration.

The baby boomer generation came of age during the 1960s and 1970s. Though just 20 years separate the start of the former and the end of the latter, the two subscribed to different trends and aesthetics. Though some vintage home decor may not jive with your current “millennial gray” motif, these 16 practical home trends kickstarted by the baby boomer generation aged well and still have a place in today’s living spaces:

1. Chiffon

Chiffon curtain in a home
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Chiffon was around long before baby boomers brought it to their living quarters, but it was initially the reserve of the upper classes. Its lightweight nature contributed to its resurgence in the 1960s.

Chiffon creates a soft and delicate look that can evoke a whimsical, cottagecore feel when upcycling or updating your home. However, as it’s pretty delicate, it must be dry-cleaned or hand-washed.

2. Psychedelic Interiors

Geometric Pattern Wallpaper
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Musicians like The Beatles and The Doors helped propel psychedelia to the mainstream. Psychedelia evoked colorful – and sometimes ostentatious – elements like distorted graphics, blindingly bright hues, and fuzzy fabrics.

Implementing surreal imagery, dreamy patterns, and contrasting colors can evoke a psychedelic atmosphere reminiscent of Woodstock. Find all the psychedelia-influenced home decor you’ll ever want. Those looking to breathe new life into their space can cut redecorating and renovating costs using hand-me-downs from family and friends. Snag the forgotten heirlooms of perfect strangers by perusing local resale retailers and mom-and-pop vintage shops.

3. Faux Leather Couches

Faux leather couch
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There is a reason why faux leather became popular during the 1960s and 70s — consumers were growing conscious of the leather industry’s cruelty, and veganism was slowly becoming mainstream.

Faux leather couches are not only cheaper than traditional leather furniture, but they also amplify the kitschy vibe of the 70s.

4. Pressure Cookers

Pressure cooker
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Not many people use pressure cookers anymore, as there are more efficient ways of cooking. However, they are quick and reliable and can perfectly cook even the toughest cuts of meat and most stubborn vegetables.

Those looking for brand-new appliances can purchase pressure cookers from various online retailers. For gently used pressure cookers, explore your local thrift shop or reach out to family members who may be moving or downsizing.

In addition to effectiveness, they add a quaint look to your kitchen that modern appliances can’t replicate.

5. Electric Kettles

Image Credit: Smarter.

No self-respecting boomer will ever do without a kettle in the kitchen, and neither should you.

Electric kettles are practical and will heat water quickly, simplifying the preparation of tea, coffee, and even instant noodles. Some people even boil eggs in electric kettles — just be prepared to clean any mess.

6. Lace Window Treatments

Lace curtain
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Lace curtains are not the creation of boomers; multiple generations before our parents hung the same valances. Nevertheless, they are timeless and often sell at modest prices.

Use lace curtains to drape your windows and allow the light to pass through. The more intricate the design, the more you’ll probably have to pay.

7. House Plants

An Array of House Plants on a Window Sill
Image Credit: merec0 from Kyoto, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

With modernization and rising real estate costs, gardens became unaffordable for most. Apartment living became de jure, and people started to grow plants inside their houses.

House plants are easy to care for and can completely change the look of your living space. Ideas include money plants, bonsai, and snake plants.

8. Wallpapers

House with a wallpaper design
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Though its application is often best left to the professionals, wallpaper can successfully hide scratches, scrapes, and scuffs on your walls without much fuss.

Choose wallpapers that evoke nostalgia or harken back to the 1960s and 1970s. Wallpapers with psychedelic designs and floral patterns can immediately make your interiors seem chic.

9. Wicker Furniture

Elegant and quiet bohemian room with cozy interior, wicker chair, pillows, cushions, green plants in flower pot, bed and rug on wooden floor
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Furniture can be costly, especially if purchased new from big box retailers or specialty shops. If you don’t like buying used furniture, you can try wicker products. Wicker is not a material, but a method to create a specific product that typically utilizes rattan, sea grass, willow, and other materials.

Wicker furniture products are lightweight, simplifying any renovation processes, especially for those who may live alone. These long-lasting pieces endure trends and wear and are perfect for pet owners.

10. Mid-Century Modern Aesthetics

Mid-century modern house design
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Mid-century modern, or MCM, was an interior decorator movement that married minimalism and modernism. It was associated with deep greens, clean lines, and geometric patterns that were notable departures from trends at the time.

You may be able to pick up original mid-century modern decor at retro shops or vintage stores for throwaway prices. Mid-century interior aesthetic ideas include workstations, furniture, art pieces, and kitchen appliances.

11. Kitsch

A brightly coloured kitchen of an upmarket house
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Kitsch is all about showcasing and appreciating the quirky and peculiar — questionable tchotchkes, eccentric art, and campy commodities — in an endearing, unironic, and sincere way.

Explore estate and yard sales, specialty stores, and vintage markets to amplify your home’s kitschy interior. Kitsch is characterized by brightly colored couches, kooky sculptures, and wacky light fixtures, though to be authentic, it must be enjoyed sincerely as art.

12. Personal Libraries

Book shelf in a home
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As boomers didn’t have immediate access to thousands of e-books or all musicians’ complete catalogs, they built extensive media collections comprised of books, vinyl records, and tapes.

You can create a similar library by purchasing old books from discount stores. Not only will you be able to spend some time away from the screen, but you’ll gain knowledge and develop an invaluable reading habit. As a bonus, a neatly stacked set of books situated on a shelf or coffee table looks so elegant.

13. Exposed Brick

wooden counter kitchen white brick
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Exposed brick is not a new trend; it has long existed in areas where plaster or paint was difficult to procure. Boomers discovered that exposed bricks have a certain rustic and charming element, boosting their popularity.

Most importantly, exposed bricks require almost no maintenance. If you’re trying to redo your home, leave some untouched and lean into the natural brick. You’ll save money with this timeless element, as it likely won’t have to be updated to adhere to different stylistic elements.

14. Natural Wood

Young attractive girl choosing vintage bedside table in furnishings store
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If you visit any house built within the last few decades, you’ll undoubtedly come across wooden furniture. Thankfully, natural wood furniture is back on trend. Quality wood pieces will last a lifetime, provided you care for them properly.

Natural wood comes in different types and qualities. While some wood is cheap, others, like teak, can be expensive. Depending on your budget, you’ll be able to find furniture made of solid wood. Resale shops often sell vintage wood furniture at steep discounts. If buying from large chain retailers, double-check the materials used and ensure quality and reliability.

15. No Plastic in the House

A German Shorthaired Pointer lounging on a couch in a room with mid century decor
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Plastic was rare in the 1960s and 1970s; wood and other natural products comprised most of the furniture. While plastic offers longevity, some plastic home decor is cheaply made and can consequently cheapen your space’s overall look.

Pass on more plastic in the house and opt for timeless pieces made from glass, stainless steel, wood, cotton, and other natural materials. Using natural materials will elevate any space, regardless of personal style preferences.

16. Posters

A Beatle Fan's Bedroom, posters, memorabilia
Image Credit: Jeremy Thompson – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Boomers, Gen X, and millennials grew up with their favorite posters in their bedrooms. Posters and art prints add character to your space and are an affordable way to personalize your living space at minimal cost.

Procure posters of all kinds at affordable rates, like nostalgic pictures of your hometown, favorite musician, or pieces by local artists you may find at local markets or boutiques. If you’re not in the mood to shop for printed posters, you can easily find them at many online retailers.

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