{"id":291541,"date":"2026-01-18T23:41:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T23:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/291541\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T23:41:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T23:41:14","slug":"the-best-old-school-decor-ideas-designers-still-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/291541\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Old-School Decor Ideas Designers Still Love"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"old<\/p>\n

The Old-School Decorating Ideas Designers Love Eoneren – Getty Images<\/p>\n

“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.”<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s homeowners are reembracing traditional decorating ideas, and designers are loving it. We tapped the experts to learn more about the old-school decorating ideas designers are using again<\/strong>, from wainscoting<\/a> to mixed metals<\/a> to checkerboard floors. Many are opting to rework these trends slightly with unique color palettes or features that make them feel a little more fresh. The best part about these timeless features is that they’re easy to work into a variety of design styles<\/a> and spaces for something that feels truly personal.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking to achieve a cozy vintage-meets-modern<\/a> aesthetic in your home, keep reading to learn about the old-school decorating ideas designers love. <\/p>\n

Checkerboard Floors<\/p>\n

Nicole Roby of Nicole Roby Designs<\/a> is delighted to report that checkerboard floors are in! \u201cThey add a timeless element to any interior space,\u201d she explains. \u201cThe modern trend is to use shades of gray or taupe instead of the classic black. Using oversized tiles also can add a more modern aesthetic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

John keeble – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Wainscoting<\/p>\n

While wainscoting is traditionally associated with formal dining rooms or historic homes, Anabella Mainetti CEO and co-founder of Texas-based home company Mainefactured<\/a>, believes it\u2019s making a comeback, but in a minimalist way.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our tiny homes, we use half-height paneling in neutral tones or matte finishes to create visual texture without overwhelming the space,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt brings craftsmanship and architectural detail to walls that would otherwise feel flat.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> \u201990s Are Back in Home Design<\/a><\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

KatarzynaBialasiewicz – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Mixed Metals<\/p>\n

Mainetti points out that mixing metals is no longer a design don\u2019t. \u201c[It] has evolved into a timeless yet modern statement,\u201d she says. \u201cCombining finishes like brushed brass, matte black and polished nickel can make a space feel both classic and curated.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says to modernize it by choosing one dominant tone (like brass) and layering in secondary finishes through lighting, cabinet hardware or faucets. \u201cThis adds depth and visual interest without chaos,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

PC Photography – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Brass Fixtures & Hardware<\/p>\n

Brass has returned in a big way, says Mainetti. But it\u2019s now a softer, brushed finish rather than the shiny tones of the 1980s. \u201cWe pair warm brass accents with matte black or natural wood to strike a balance between heritage and modern minimalism,\u201d she explains. \u201cPeople are craving warmth and character after years of cool gray palettes. Brass instantly brings both, grounding modern spaces in timeless elegance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Tom Windeknecht – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Wallpaper<\/p>\n

Chicago-based Park & Oak Interior Design<\/a> partner Renee DiSanto says, \u201cwallpaper, especially designs with concentrated wall borders, is making a comeback in contemporary spaces as a way to add depth and character through layered materials.\u201d She notes that wallpaper patterns popular in the \u201880s and \u201990s are being reimagined through a modern lens. \u201c[They offer] warmth and personality that can be missing from the all-white or all-gray rooms of recent years.”<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Home Trends May Look Dated Sooner Than You Think, Say Designers<\/a><\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Alys Tomlinson – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Family Heirlooms<\/p>\n

Time to hit up estate sales. Leah Bolger of award-winning studio Leah Bolger Design<\/a> tells us that family heirlooms and vintage pieces are finding new life in contemporary interiors. She recommends, \u201cmixing these heritage pieces with clean-lined furniture or neutral palettes to balance nostalgic charm with modern simplicity, creating spaces that feel both soulful and current.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are realizing that perfectly new spaces can feel sterile,\u201d Bolger says. \u201cThere\u2019s a renewed love of thrifting and vintage finds, from hand-carved mirrors and weathered picture frames to small treasures like Lichtenstein Rosenthal plates or an Art Deco Toastmaster toaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Aleksandr Zubkov – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Art Deco<\/p>\n

Bay area-based interior designer Tina Montemayor of Tina Montemayor Design<\/a> takes pride in creating classic-with-an-edge spaces, and believes Art Deco is back. \u201c[It\u2019s] not just for its glamour, but for the craftsmanship behind it,\u201d she adds. \u201cThe symmetry, the metals and millwork, they all reflect the kind of care that will never go out of style.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Eoneren – Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Gallery Wall<\/p>\n

Marcy Kelman, home decor author and custom framing expert from CustomFrames.com<\/a>, points out that gallery wall designs are still very much in style, though they\u2019re no longer your traditional, uniform displays of black picture frames. \u201cA wall of archival-quality black frames effortlessly adds quiet luxury to any decor,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s a timeless design that\u2019s pleasing to the eye and never goes out of style.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelman recommends keeping frames no more than 2-3 inches apart to ensure the eye is drawn to what\u2019s being framed and not to the blank spaces between the frames.<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Artjafara – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Bed Canopies and Draped Ceilings<\/p>\n

Vanessa Larsson, interior designer at Planner 5D<\/a>, points out that canopies and drapery is back. \u201cHistorically, bed canopies were created for warmth and privacy, with heavy velvets and ornate tassels cascading from carved wooden frames. Today, they are reinterpreted in a lighter way: transparent linens or cotton gauze softly suspended from minimalist rods or ceiling mounts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larsson points out that the focus is on lightness and flow. \u201cTo achieve this, simplify the form and let the fabric breathe,\u201d she suggests. \u201cChoose natural textures, neutral tones and clean lines. The result is a space that feels cocooned yet weightless and romantic.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/strong>: Design Trends Interior Experts Are Bringing Back<\/a><\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Westend61 – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Tapestried or Painted Cabinet Interiors<\/p>\n

\u201cDesigners are now experimenting with lining the back of glass cabinets with patterned wallpaper, turning a simple storage unit into a design statement,\u201d Larsson also points out. \u201cOthers paint the insides of cabinets or open shelving in bold, unexpected colors that create a striking contrast against the exterior. It adds another layer to the home, leaving small discoveries to be found throughout the space.\u201d<\/p>\n

We love this design resurgence because it gives visual interest and creates tension in a room. \u201cIt\u2019s [makes] us more aware of balance, focal points and visual storytelling; interiors are becoming increasingly expressive and alive,\u201d Larsson adds.<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Andreas von Einsiedel – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Comfort<\/p>\n

Laura Medicus of Laura Medicus Interiors<\/a>, based in Denver, Colorado, points out that comfort in the home is back and we’re seeing it expressed with layers of patterns and textures that are much more appealing than stark walls. Medicus provides examples: a beadboard, painting in rich, earthy tones and pairing it with patterned wallpaper for a fresh yet timeless look. \u201cRolled arm sofas are also experiencing a comeback,\u201d she explains. \u201cPeople want to feel comfortable and comfort for many is rooted in traditional styles. Look for it in a big bold stripe or another unexpected fabric for a modern twist with personality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"classic<\/p>\n

Liliya Krueger – Getty Images<\/p>\n

You Might Also Like<\/strong><\/p>\n