10 Retro Living Room Ideas Reworked For Modern Living
Inject a hip and happening dose of style into your living room with some mid-century furnishings and design details
If you’re looking to give your living room a retro lift, don’t just lavishly recreate the mid-century era. Instead, opt to mix newer elements with originals from the period to create some contrast and add interest to your living space. A successful retro look mixes old with new to keep interiors relevant and contemporary rather than feeling like a design museum.
2. Sandstone wall
Sandstone cladding around the mantlepiece was a popular option in Australian homes in the ’60s and ’70s. Here, a floor-to-ceiling wall adds impact and tactility to the living area, taking the original concept to a much larger scale.
More cool wall finishes
Sandstone cladding around the mantlepiece was a popular option in Australian homes in the ’60s and ’70s. Here, a floor-to-ceiling wall adds impact and tactility to the living area, taking the original concept to a much larger scale.
More cool wall finishes
3. Floor lamp
Designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962, the Arco lamp has a solid Carrara marble base and can be swivelled to provide direct light in the living areas. It’s had a strong resurgence over the past decade, thanks to its timeless feel. This iconic lamp has influenced many designers and some have their own take on this style, such as the Fork lamp by Diesel and the Twiggy floor lamp by Marc Sadler, which were both designed for Foscarini.
Designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962, the Arco lamp has a solid Carrara marble base and can be swivelled to provide direct light in the living areas. It’s had a strong resurgence over the past decade, thanks to its timeless feel. This iconic lamp has influenced many designers and some have their own take on this style, such as the Fork lamp by Diesel and the Twiggy floor lamp by Marc Sadler, which were both designed for Foscarini.
4. Soft tones
Follow this mathematical equation: geometric patterns plus pastel hues equals real originality. Sydney architect Scott Weston is renowned for his daring approach to colour, and this is a perfect example. The gentle hues are subtle but effective, and the flokati rug under a Noguchi coffee table continues the mid-century aesthetic.
A passion for pastels
Follow this mathematical equation: geometric patterns plus pastel hues equals real originality. Sydney architect Scott Weston is renowned for his daring approach to colour, and this is a perfect example. The gentle hues are subtle but effective, and the flokati rug under a Noguchi coffee table continues the mid-century aesthetic.
A passion for pastels
5. Shag pile rug
Paying homage to the swingin’ ’60s and ’70s, shag pile has had a real comeback. It boasts oh-so-long pile tufts that are soft and tactile, exuding plushness and playfulness in a living area. By simply placing one in the middle of a room, the shag pile rug brings warmth – and grooviness – to a 21st-century abode.
Decorating with rugs
Paying homage to the swingin’ ’60s and ’70s, shag pile has had a real comeback. It boasts oh-so-long pile tufts that are soft and tactile, exuding plushness and playfulness in a living area. By simply placing one in the middle of a room, the shag pile rug brings warmth – and grooviness – to a 21st-century abode.
Decorating with rugs
6. Integrated television
In the ’50s and ’60s, a living room was a place in which to socialise or to relax in after a hard day at the office. Invariably, the furniture was centred around the focal point of the room – a clunky TV. These days, however, a TV can be seamlessly integrated – so stylish, it looks good whether it’s turned on or off. And due to the advances in streaming and other media devices, minimal modules are required so the built-in cabinets are low and lean.
In the ’50s and ’60s, a living room was a place in which to socialise or to relax in after a hard day at the office. Invariably, the furniture was centred around the focal point of the room – a clunky TV. These days, however, a TV can be seamlessly integrated – so stylish, it looks good whether it’s turned on or off. And due to the advances in streaming and other media devices, minimal modules are required so the built-in cabinets are low and lean.
7. Hanging fireplace
Suspended from the ceiling, a hanging fireplace became a sizzling sensation when it hit the scene in the late 1960s. It was usually positioned in the centre of a sunken lounge room so it didn’t take valuable floor and wall space. As a good example, check out Peter Sellers’ ’68 flick, The Party. While wood burning was the only option back then, a suspended fireplace can now use bio-ethanol fuel to take the heat out of the electricity bill.
Suspended from the ceiling, a hanging fireplace became a sizzling sensation when it hit the scene in the late 1960s. It was usually positioned in the centre of a sunken lounge room so it didn’t take valuable floor and wall space. As a good example, check out Peter Sellers’ ’68 flick, The Party. While wood burning was the only option back then, a suspended fireplace can now use bio-ethanol fuel to take the heat out of the electricity bill.
8. Built-in furniture
Architects had a penchant for built-in furniture in the ’60s and ’70s, with inexpensive veneer being the material of choice. While it’s rarely used these days, it still works as a great streamlined, space-saving option in a compact living area. A bonus is that deep drawers can be integrated – ideal to store away books, magazines, Playstation games and even throw rugs.
More built-in furniture
Architects had a penchant for built-in furniture in the ’60s and ’70s, with inexpensive veneer being the material of choice. While it’s rarely used these days, it still works as a great streamlined, space-saving option in a compact living area. A bonus is that deep drawers can be integrated – ideal to store away books, magazines, Playstation games and even throw rugs.
More built-in furniture
9. Wall art
Rather than choosing the old-school wallpaper option in a living zone, opt for a digital wallpaper panel, such as Cole & Son’s ‘Circus’ collection. Here, the large-scale artwork has overlapping multicoloured harlequins, and the panel can be customised to suit your space. Removable wallpaper companies offer a vast range of styles and dimensions. It’s a great way to introduce a retro-inspired work at minimal cost.
Rather than choosing the old-school wallpaper option in a living zone, opt for a digital wallpaper panel, such as Cole & Son’s ‘Circus’ collection. Here, the large-scale artwork has overlapping multicoloured harlequins, and the panel can be customised to suit your space. Removable wallpaper companies offer a vast range of styles and dimensions. It’s a great way to introduce a retro-inspired work at minimal cost.
10. Leather lounge
While a leather modular was a favourite device in the Mad Men era, this newly designed unit has a new twist. It’s actually perched on a concrete plinth for an even more masculine feel. All that’s missing is a martini – shaken not stirred, of course.
TELL US
Do you think retro features can work successfully in a contemporary living room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
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While a leather modular was a favourite device in the Mad Men era, this newly designed unit has a new twist. It’s actually perched on a concrete plinth for an even more masculine feel. All that’s missing is a martini – shaken not stirred, of course.
TELL US
Do you think retro features can work successfully in a contemporary living room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Is Your Home Ready for a 1970s Revival?
Say Hello to the Contemporary Conversation Pit
10 Retro Kitchen Ideas Reworked For Modern Living
Rather than playing down the beauty of mid-century design, why not celebrate it? To make decor elements in the round or furniture arranged at close quarters work the colour coordination needs to be spot on, as seen in this circular living room. Upholstery is a great solution, as seen in Grant Featherston’s ‘Numero IV’ modular lounge suite, first released in 1973.
Other elements with similar hues include Verner Panton’s FlowerPot pendant and Kartell Componibili modules. It looks like the party pad pictured here is hidden somewhere in the Hollywood Hills. The apartment, however, is actually located in Sydney’s busy Inner West.