Get funky with these vintage and retro looks

The appeal of vintage and retro aesthetics continues to endure in home décor, offering a timeless charm that transcends eras. Resene paints and wallpapers provide the perfect canvas to recreate these classic looks, allowing you to infuse your home with a touch of yesteryear. Let's explore five decorating ideas that seamlessly blend the old with the new, creating a harmonious balance between nostalgia and contemporary style.

Elegance in florals

Create a classic look with Resene Wallpaper Collection SUM201. This neutral design is easily paired with classic whites or your favourite pops of Resene paint colours and wood stains.

Capture the essence of a bygone era with a vintage floral wallpaper in subtle hues. Opt for a white backdrop adorned with delicate floral patterns, creating a sense of understated elegance. Complement this backdrop with an old dark stained cabinet and gold lamp, introducing a warm and inviting atmosphere to your space. The combination of Resene paints and vintage patterns transports you to a time where simplicity and grace reigned supreme. Pair this wallpaper with whites like Resene Merino, Resene White Pointer and Resene Quarter Blanc. Enhance the beauty of natural timber grain with a dark Resene Colorwood wood stain finish such as Resene Bark.

Retro revival

Get funky with this bold and interesting wallpaper, Resene Wallpaper Collection 480016.

Revitalise your living space with a burst of retro energy. Choose a retro pattern in vibrant shades like this Resene Wallpaper Collection 480016 design in hues of blue, green and brown, and pair it with an elegant emerald green couch for that added pop. The juxtaposition of bold patterns and rich colours adds a playful yet sophisticated touch to your home, evoking the spirited vibe of the mid-20th century. Pair this wallpaper with muted tones chosen from those within the design, like Resene Paris White, Resene Coral and Resene Casper.

Dusky pink delight

In this trendy room, the wall and floor are painted in Resene Soothe, cabinet and tall vase in Resene Green Meets Blue, side table and ribbed bowl in Resene Mexican Red, lamp in Resene Wallpaper Collection SUM002 and Resene Mexican Red, low vase and tealight holder in Resene Vintage and books painted in Resene Mexican Red, Resene Green Meets Blue and Resene Vintage. Chair from Danske Møbler. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

For a more subdued take on retro, embrace the dusky pink trend. Paint your room in a soft pink hue like Resene Soothe, Resene High Tea or Resene Vintage and pair it with complementary shades like Resene Streetwise, Resene Clover and Resene Atomic. Introduce a touch of luxury with a bright coloured velvet chair, creating a space that exudes both comfort and unique style. The combination of colours and textures can transform a room into a haven of nostalgia, celebrating the timeless allure of vintage aesthetics.

Neutral elegance

In this groovy, earthy toned living room, the wall and floor are painted in Resene Spanish White, coffee table in Resene Toffee, tealight holder in Resene Tussock, retro DIY tiles in Resene Spanish White and Resene Toffee, books in Resene Tussock, Resene Toffee and Resene Smooth Operator and lamp in Resene Toffee with Resene Tussock Spots. Sofa from Nood, mustard toned linen cushion from H&M Home, charm print cushion from Farmers. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

For those who prefer a more neutral palette, try layering taupes, browns and whites to create a more timeless look. Combine these earthy tones in a neutral room, allowing the subtle variations in colour to add depth and warmth. This classic approach brings a sense of calm and balance to your living space while embracing the enduring charm of vintage design. We’ve also added a funky pattern for an added touch using wooden tiles. Other earthy tones to try are Resene Spice, Resene Leather and Resene Antidote.

Bold and funky

This entryway is sure to catch your guests’ eyes, painted in Resene Hullabaloo, with shelf in Resene Trinidad, frame in Resene Supernova and vase in Resene Candy Floss. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Melanie Jenkins.

The 1960s was groovy baby!  It was an exciting, turbulent era full of social change, new music and the mini skirt. The colours were bold and psychedelic – sharp orange, intense teal, banana yellow, cyan blue and red. Make a statement with a bold neon wall in your entryway! Contrast this vibrant backdrop with other funky colours in your décor, infusing the space with energy and personality. This eclectic mix of colors creates a lively and welcoming atmosphere, setting the tone for a home that embraces both the vibrancy of retro aesthetics and contemporary flair. Try popping shades like Resene Niagara, Resene Bowie, Resene Wellywood and Resene Adrenalin.

Getting the vintage and retro look in your home can be an exciting and creative journey. Embrace the past while enjoying the comforts of the present, as you transform your home into a sanctuary of classic style and enduring beauty… and perhaps a few colour surprises!

For more paint and wallpaper advice, visit your local Resene ColorShop, Ask a Colour Expert online or book a Resene Colour Consultation.

Published: 28 Feb 2024

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.

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Resene White Pointer

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Resene Quarter Blanc

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Resene Paris White

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Resene Green Meets Blue

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Resene Mexican Red

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Resene Spanish White

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Resene Smooth Operator

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Resene Candy Floss

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