Retro Home Habits Worth Keeping
These old-fashioned household habits and rituals may hail from days gone by, but they're well worth adopting for the feelgood factor alone
Joanna Tovia
25 October 2016
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Slow down, you move too fast; you got to make the morning last; just kickin’ down the cobblestones, lookin’ for fun and feelin’ groovy. Wise words from folk legends, Simon and Garfunkel. Call me old-fashioned, but most of us could probably use a gentle reminder to live life a little more in the moment, to slow down and appreciate the small things, and to take pleasure in rituals both new and old. See what strikes a chord for you among these ideas, and tell us which old-fashioned tendencies you relish at home in the Comments.
Master an instrument
Spending time playing an instrument is as enjoyable for the player as it is for other members of the household, especially if you practise. Whether it’s an old acoustic guitar a lovely vintage piano or even a drum kit, musical instruments left on display add a warm and welcoming atmosphere to any room, and having them out in the open will encourage you to play more often.
Spending time playing an instrument is as enjoyable for the player as it is for other members of the household, especially if you practise. Whether it’s an old acoustic guitar a lovely vintage piano or even a drum kit, musical instruments left on display add a warm and welcoming atmosphere to any room, and having them out in the open will encourage you to play more often.
Tap on typewriter keys
Typing on an old typewriter gets creative juices flowing. It may be slower to use, but that can provide the pauses you need to really come up with something amazing.
Look through op-shops, vintage stores and secondhand markets to find a key-tapping treasure that’s just right for your home, and set it in a place of prominence for a truly cool talking point.
Typing on an old typewriter gets creative juices flowing. It may be slower to use, but that can provide the pauses you need to really come up with something amazing.
Look through op-shops, vintage stores and secondhand markets to find a key-tapping treasure that’s just right for your home, and set it in a place of prominence for a truly cool talking point.
Make old new again
Repairing and repurposing things that are broken, no longer fit or have gone out of fashion can make your home unique, and it’s a growing trend for homeowners and renters alike. Here you can see an old pair of kids’ gumboots upcycled into a couple of planters for some pretty pink posies, but there’s no limit to what you can re-create, other than your imagination of course.
Yep, you can grow a plant in that
Repairing and repurposing things that are broken, no longer fit or have gone out of fashion can make your home unique, and it’s a growing trend for homeowners and renters alike. Here you can see an old pair of kids’ gumboots upcycled into a couple of planters for some pretty pink posies, but there’s no limit to what you can re-create, other than your imagination of course.
Yep, you can grow a plant in that
Start a search party
Hide and seek is the best kids’ game around. And just the thing to make them look up from their screens and get outdoors. Make a real game of it and get the whole family involved, for an activity that could easily fill a whole morning or afternoon. Especially if you’ve got a particularly sneaky member of your family.
Hide and seek is the best kids’ game around. And just the thing to make them look up from their screens and get outdoors. Make a real game of it and get the whole family involved, for an activity that could easily fill a whole morning or afternoon. Especially if you’ve got a particularly sneaky member of your family.
Get back to basics
Prioritising quality over quantity is a good way to set children up for happiness in later years. Having ‘enough’ rather than too much stuff will help them appreciate what they have, now and as adults.
If you think your young’uns’ collection of ‘stuff’ may be getting out of hand, get them involved in doing a cull to find out what they really need or just plain love, and get rid of the rest. There are any number children’s charities that would be happy to take the excess, especially this close to Christmas.
Prioritising quality over quantity is a good way to set children up for happiness in later years. Having ‘enough’ rather than too much stuff will help them appreciate what they have, now and as adults.
If you think your young’uns’ collection of ‘stuff’ may be getting out of hand, get them involved in doing a cull to find out what they really need or just plain love, and get rid of the rest. There are any number children’s charities that would be happy to take the excess, especially this close to Christmas.
Put it in print
Lingering over the weekend newspapers is a tactile experience, and provides a refreshing break from screens. Reading the paper on a device just doesn’t have the same appeal. Try to take the time at least once a week to kick back with your favourite paper or magazine, a cup of tea or coffee, and a little bubble of time that’s just for you to enjoy. People are less likely to interrupt you if they know you’re not just checking emails or playing Angry Birds.
Lingering over the weekend newspapers is a tactile experience, and provides a refreshing break from screens. Reading the paper on a device just doesn’t have the same appeal. Try to take the time at least once a week to kick back with your favourite paper or magazine, a cup of tea or coffee, and a little bubble of time that’s just for you to enjoy. People are less likely to interrupt you if they know you’re not just checking emails or playing Angry Birds.
Wash your cares away
Taking a bath every day instead of a shower can force you to slow down, ruminate, and get some perspective on life before you race off to do other things. Or, if you don’t have time for this restorative every day, try to fit it in once or twice a week. Lock the door, fill the tub with warm water and some nice-smelling bath salts, and just lay back and relax for a little while.
101 ways to love your home more
Taking a bath every day instead of a shower can force you to slow down, ruminate, and get some perspective on life before you race off to do other things. Or, if you don’t have time for this restorative every day, try to fit it in once or twice a week. Lock the door, fill the tub with warm water and some nice-smelling bath salts, and just lay back and relax for a little while.
101 ways to love your home more
Chronicle Books
Make walls prettier
Wallpaper in the kitchen is a retro trend worth resurrecting, especially if it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. You don’t have to go all out with the paper – something a bit less bold than this pretty-in-pink print could help to provide a calmer atmosphere. And you could always try it on a smaller space at first, such as a single wall, or inside some open shelving, just to see how you like the look.
Wallpaper in the kitchen is a retro trend worth resurrecting, especially if it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. You don’t have to go all out with the paper – something a bit less bold than this pretty-in-pink print could help to provide a calmer atmosphere. And you could always try it on a smaller space at first, such as a single wall, or inside some open shelving, just to see how you like the look.
Go off your trolley
Serving guests a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink is fun from a bar trolley; it adds to the sense of occasion. Next time you have friends around – whether it’s a couple over for a quiet dinner or a bigger group for a special event – wheel out a retro bar trolley stocked full of the makings for manhattans, whiskey sours and, of course, an old fashioned or two.
Serving guests a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink is fun from a bar trolley; it adds to the sense of occasion. Next time you have friends around – whether it’s a couple over for a quiet dinner or a bigger group for a special event – wheel out a retro bar trolley stocked full of the makings for manhattans, whiskey sours and, of course, an old fashioned or two.
Try stovetop tea
Boiling water in a kettle on the stove saves on bench space, and there’s something lovely and nostalgic about the whistle of a steaming kettle. A vintage enamel stovetop kettle can add a lovely splash of personality to even the most contemporary kitchen, even when not in use. Plus, the longer the water-boiling process takes, the longer you get to spend enjoying your tea timeout.
Browse more small kitchen ideas
Boiling water in a kettle on the stove saves on bench space, and there’s something lovely and nostalgic about the whistle of a steaming kettle. A vintage enamel stovetop kettle can add a lovely splash of personality to even the most contemporary kitchen, even when not in use. Plus, the longer the water-boiling process takes, the longer you get to spend enjoying your tea timeout.
Browse more small kitchen ideas
Get your hands dirty
Sometimes washing the dishes by hand is more satisfying, even when you have a dishwasher at the ready. There’s something almost therapeutic about having your hands deep in warm soapy water, while you allow your mind to wander away from the mundane. Get yourself some pretty tea towels and you and a partner in grime can stand side by side, washing and drying together.
Sometimes washing the dishes by hand is more satisfying, even when you have a dishwasher at the ready. There’s something almost therapeutic about having your hands deep in warm soapy water, while you allow your mind to wander away from the mundane. Get yourself some pretty tea towels and you and a partner in grime can stand side by side, washing and drying together.
Wander through a written world
Getting lost in a good book is like going on an adventure to another world, much more so than just getting lost in a movie or TV series. There’s something much more evocative about books – especially proper printed books rather than e-readers – that enables you to get properly swept away in a story and its characters.
Keeping your latest read, or even a stack that you’re looking forward to diving into, on your bedside table will give you ample opportunities to lie in bed with a good book and immerse yourself in another world.
Getting lost in a good book is like going on an adventure to another world, much more so than just getting lost in a movie or TV series. There’s something much more evocative about books – especially proper printed books rather than e-readers – that enables you to get properly swept away in a story and its characters.
Keeping your latest read, or even a stack that you’re looking forward to diving into, on your bedside table will give you ample opportunities to lie in bed with a good book and immerse yourself in another world.
Bake your day away
Making cakes and sauces from scratch adds to the joy of cooking, despite the convenience of buying pre-made versions in jars and packets. It also allows you to get more creative in the kitchen, and to know exactly what’s going into the food that you eat. Plus, the more you do some hands-on baking at home, the more likely you are to have cakes, cookies and tarts on hand the next time your sweet tooth makes its presence known.
Why we should bring back ‘baking day’
Making cakes and sauces from scratch adds to the joy of cooking, despite the convenience of buying pre-made versions in jars and packets. It also allows you to get more creative in the kitchen, and to know exactly what’s going into the food that you eat. Plus, the more you do some hands-on baking at home, the more likely you are to have cakes, cookies and tarts on hand the next time your sweet tooth makes its presence known.
Why we should bring back ‘baking day’
Just hang out
Hanging washing on the line to air dry makes clothes and sheets smell and feel fantastic. There are alternatives if you don’t have a washing line, or even space to put one, that will enable you to still get some sun and fresh air on your sheets and shirts. Fold-out clothes airers are the perfect small-space solution if all you have is a little balcony rather than a backyard.
Hanging washing on the line to air dry makes clothes and sheets smell and feel fantastic. There are alternatives if you don’t have a washing line, or even space to put one, that will enable you to still get some sun and fresh air on your sheets and shirts. Fold-out clothes airers are the perfect small-space solution if all you have is a little balcony rather than a backyard.
Do the DIY
Wrapping presents yourself and making birthday cards by hand adds a personal touch that store-wrapped gifts will never replicate. And if you get into this as a proper hobby, you can even create yourself a cute little craft corner with pretty papers, tons of stamps and lots of other bits and pieces to play with. Bonus!
More great DIY ideas
Wrapping presents yourself and making birthday cards by hand adds a personal touch that store-wrapped gifts will never replicate. And if you get into this as a proper hobby, you can even create yourself a cute little craft corner with pretty papers, tons of stamps and lots of other bits and pieces to play with. Bonus!
More great DIY ideas
Get your game on
An evening of boardgames with family or friends could be the most fun you’ve had in ages. If you don’t already have a collection featuring Monopoly, Cluedo and Operation, search online to see if you can pick up a varied collection cheaper than you what you can buy in the shops. Next up, send out a ‘Games Night’ invitation to the whole family.
An evening of boardgames with family or friends could be the most fun you’ve had in ages. If you don’t already have a collection featuring Monopoly, Cluedo and Operation, search online to see if you can pick up a varied collection cheaper than you what you can buy in the shops. Next up, send out a ‘Games Night’ invitation to the whole family.
Put on your walking shoes
Walking where you need to go rather than driving is worthwhile when time and distance permits. Aside from the health benefits, a walk is an instant mood booster. Keep your walking shoes near the front or back door so that they’re easy to find whenever the mood strikes, and take the time to get your step count up, even if it’s just while strolling around the neighbourhood, taking in the sights.
Walking where you need to go rather than driving is worthwhile when time and distance permits. Aside from the health benefits, a walk is an instant mood booster. Keep your walking shoes near the front or back door so that they’re easy to find whenever the mood strikes, and take the time to get your step count up, even if it’s just while strolling around the neighbourhood, taking in the sights.
Snuggle in
Sleeping in a bed made up with sheets of pure linen is all a bedroom really needs to really feel heavenly. Well-worn linen has a great look and feel, is soft to the touch and, with a great drape that gives a bed that properly lived-in look, invites you to snuggle in and enjoy. See if you can get your hands on some heirloom sheets rather than brand new ones, as it can take a while to break them in properly.
TELL US
What other habits do you have at home that might be considered old fashioned? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more lifestyle stories
Sleeping in a bed made up with sheets of pure linen is all a bedroom really needs to really feel heavenly. Well-worn linen has a great look and feel, is soft to the touch and, with a great drape that gives a bed that properly lived-in look, invites you to snuggle in and enjoy. See if you can get your hands on some heirloom sheets rather than brand new ones, as it can take a while to break them in properly.
TELL US
What other habits do you have at home that might be considered old fashioned? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more lifestyle stories
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It's a wonderfully 'therapeutic' exercise. Great for cotton clothing and develops patience and allows time to be still and thoughtful.
Oh dear but that red/pink kitchen with the floral wallpaper is horrid. Sorry yuk yuk yuk!!!
I think that kitchen is totally awesome.