Incorporating decorating trends from the past decades into modern schemes is a wonderful way to create spaces with character, personality, and an important element of history.
Increasingly interior designers are mixing vintage trends and styles from across the eras to create eclectic, lived-in spaces that have evolved organically over time.
If you’re a purveyor of the past, or simply have an adoration for vintage style, these are my favorite nostalgic interior design trends making a comeback in 2025. They could be the inspiration you’re looking for to turn back the hands of time, at least in your home.
1. Charming Chintz
(Image credit: Colefax & Fowler)
Chintz and florals were so overdone in the early 80s that everyone got sick of them; after that the aesthetic of the 90s was very gray and boring. Now there’s been a full circle and we’re coming back to the floral look.
Once dismissed as old-fashioned, this flowery pattern style is back in a more refined guise yet still as delightful as ever. After centuries of appeal, Chintz continues to resonate with new generations of decorators in both modern and archival-inspired depictions.
And it is not just Chintz, but the beauty of florals in a home is that they make a house feel alive: they remind us of the natural world outside and give it that sense of fluidity and movement. The patterns often include greens, too, which is a color I’m always drawn to and crave. It is an aesthetic that reminds me of the homey abodes of older relatives and grandparents – a look that embodies ‘home’ for many.
Interior designer Sarah Vanrenen shares my penchant for floral room ideas.
‘I actually think florals can be timeless when done well,’ she says. ‘Whenever I’m abroad I visit any flea market I can find, and I always find myself drawn to the stalls selling vintage fabrics – the fabrics are like jewels to me. I love drawing inspiration from the prints and then doing something new with them. You can make old designs look more contemporary by changing the color palette or scale, which is something that applies both for when I’m designing a fabric or if I’m planning a room.’
Few, if any, textiles can rival Chintz for the revelations it throws upon the tapestry of global trade, cultural intersection, and international competition in technical skill. The story of Chintz is one of artistry and innovation, colonialism and craft, indigenous knowledge, and industrialized production. It is also the story of the power of design – which not only captivates worldwide admiration but also has the power to ignite rivalries for commercial dominance.
2. Pelmets and trims
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
Traditionally only now found in grand period properties, pelmets are seeing a resurgence in modern-day country homes in 2025.
‘You should always consider a pelmet,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. ‘They offer an extra level of detail to your window dressing while providing a way to hide curtain poles and fixtures. If you have a neutral scheme, you can bring charm to the space with a pelmet in a shapely design or bold fabric. If you have vibrant curtains, then opting for a pelmet in a neutral fabric would work well. But why not use the same bright fabric on the pelmet as the curtains, to make your window dressings sing?’
If a pelmet is just a little too ‘dated’ for your taste, try a trim instead. Edging your curtains with trim is an excellent way to add character and color to your window treatment ideas.
‘There are a number of benefits to adding braids or fringes to curtains. If I have a very patterned or textured scheme, I might keep the curtains a muted color but add interest with a colorful braid or fringe. A bold trim can also help frame a window and draw the eyes to the view outside,’ says Sarah Peake, founder of Studio Peake.
‘When adding a braid on the leading edge of a curtain, remember to ask the curtain maker to insert it on the top of the first fold, so it really stands out – otherwise, you risk it getting lost among the folds of the curtain.’
3. Rich brown color schemes
(Image credit: Haris Kenjar / Heidi Caillier)
As a child, it was impossible to escape the brown color scheme in residential homes. The mahogany furniture, faux brick wallpaper, and predominantly brown carpets and rugs were absolutely everywhere. I loathed it for many years until quite recently, when I realized the positive benefits and decorating versatility of decorating with brown.
Considered a dark neutral, earthy brown is grounding but also has an elegance that is truly sophisticated. Versatile, it can be striking on its own or allow other hues to stand brand.
Brown is polychromatic, so it goes with everything. Don’t be scared to use dark colors in a small, gloomy room. It’s never going to look light, so choose a fab, rich color, and the effect can be truly transformative.
It would appear that our parents and grandparents were on to something with their floor-to-ceiling brown room ideas. However, these days, we recommend throwing in splashes of accent color to add a contemporary edge to your home. My favorite options, such as yellow, pink, and orange, will give your space the sparkle that was lacking in the 1980s.
Alternatively, add depth and dimension by mixing brown hues together. Offering myriad warm hues that sit harmoniously together, the fall-inspired brown palette is loved by designers for its ability to create relaxed, grounding spaces with enduring appeal.
‘I adore combining various brown hues,’ explains fabric designer Vanessa Arbuthnott. ‘Walking through woodland is so inspirational, with leaves falling and crunching underfoot in rust, terracotta, and ochre. These colors give interiors a calmness and a feeling of serenity. They sit back in a room and don’t jump out at you.’
Cocooning and surprisingly versatile, browns, in particular, are growing in popularity, and are celebrated in Little Greene’s much-loved Sweet Treats collection. ‘Browns and honey-hued colors are re-taking their rightful place in our interiors once again. Shades of honey, caramel and chocolate will bring warmth and comfort into our homes, creating cozy enveloping spaces,’ says Ruth Mottershead.
The beauty of decorating with brown is that the tones work wonderfully layered together, but also naturally complement the timber and stone prevalent in period homes. It is a color that I am welcoming back into my home in 2025.
Magnolia Home By Joanna Gaines X Loloi Sinclair Rust / Lagoon Area Rug
Joanna Gaines x Loloi rugs are the best for a good reason. They are machine washable, affordable and timeless. I have one in almost every room in my house, and I can’t see myself shopping anywhere else for them. I would argue that a rug is the most defining feature in a room – it can make or break a space.
Torre & Tagus Solid Color Round Art Glass Vase
Brown is the color of the moment for 2025, and I’ve been shopping for brown glass vases – the easiest way to introduce this hue – left, right, and center. Torre & Tagus designs are some of my favorites. Decorate with eucalyptus in the spring/summer, and cedar and snowberries in the fall/winter.
Mela Artisans Wooden Scalloped Bowl
Chic scallop designs were a notable trend in the 1970s and I expect it to come back to life in 2025, and most certainly back into our homes. Pair this look with wood for a perfect combination of style and substance.
Interior designers and homeowners alike love decorating with vintage, as it creates interiors with soul, personality, and stories to tell. If choosing to invite nostalgia into your home, take a look back at photography, mementos and heirlooms from the past.
Combining new pieces with those from across the decades brings unique personality to interiors. However, it’s a careful balancing act – too much vintage and spaces can end up looking like a museum but, when carefully curated vintage trends can really enhance a room.
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