5 Grandma-Inspired Decor Trends Making a Comeback

It’s no secret that grandma-inspired interiors are having a major moment—we’ve all watched the grandmillennial and coastal grandma trends skyrocket in recent years, for one. “But ‘grandma style’ decor is how I’ve always lived and decorated,” says Emily Sturgess, the founder of Emily Sturgess Design. “I think we’re seeing an appreciation for this style now because it’s comforting, nostalgic, and just feels like an environment you want to get comfortable in,” she adds.

Wallpapered surfaces, chintz covered sofas, skirts with ruffle details, a menagerie of treasures, and collected art—they are all having their moment, but according to Sturgess, these are classic elements of good design. Below, take a closer look at some examples of these “grandma-inspired” decor pieces, all of which look just as stunning in modern homes as they did 50 years ago.

Classic Chintz Fabrics

Don’t be afraid to weave a bit of chintz into your home! The fabric is “having a moment,” explains Jennifer McKissick, the founder of Jennifer McKissick Interior Design. “I love using these traditional textiles to make a space feel familiar and homey (think Nancy Meyers), but I always mix them with something that feels more current and updated,” she says.

Jennifer Hunter, the founder of Jennifer Hunter Design, is all for incorporating Lee Jofa’s signature floral Althea print into the spaces she designs, including the 30-something’s New York City living room shown above. “While the print is over 100 years old, it still feels fresh today,” she says. “The color palette, scale, and ability to pair it with such a variety of other patterns and materials makes it a ‘grandma style’ staple.”

Rotary Phones

The rotary phone, which was once a household staple, is now coming back into style and serving more than just a utilitarian purpose. Amanda Reynal, the founder of Amanda Reynal Interiors, wove a rotary phone into the colorful space she designed for this year’s Kips Bay Show House in Palm Beach.

People “adored” this addition, the designer says. “Not only was it an unexpected element, it also evoked memories of their own landlines, when we were forced to remain stationary while communicating, taking in our surroundings instead of whizzing about,” she adds. “It’s remarkable what chic grandma decor can do to create a welcoming, evocative environment.”

Traditional, Ornate Furniture

Skip the big box stores and embrace pieces with history. “Don’t say no to those hand-me-downs,” McKissick says. “A traditional dining room table will always be in style, and the quality of something made several years ago will be unmatched to anything you could buy today.”

Still, the designer recommends making a few key tweaks to ensure that this older furniture doesn’t appear dated. “The key here is the mix of traditional and contemporary,” she says, noting that this might entail reupholstering the dining chairs in a fresh, new fabric or weaving in a modern light fixture to hang above the table for variety.

Crystal Chandeliers

With that said, McKissick appreciates the beauty that classic crystal chandeliers provide in a space, too. “I would never say no to an antique crystal chandelier, but I would pair it with more updated furnishings,” she says.

Jeanne Barber, the founder of Camden Grace Interiors, shares similar thoughts. “Stop and think before you take down that ‘gaudy’ crystal chandelier like the one your grandma used to have,” she says. “In the right space, it can instantly make a room feel more elevated.”

Decorative Trinkets

Your grandma probably had all sorts of eye-catching trinkets and tchotchkes in her home, and there’s no reason you can’t display your own little collections as you please, whether these are items you’ve sourced or inherited over time.

“I love decorating with little travel trinkets that have been passed down and provide memories in our everyday life, such as perfume bottles, vintage boxes, and books,” says Sara Hillery, the founder of Sara Hillery Interior Design. “These items add sentimentality to a space as well as interest.”