{"id":60427,"date":"2026-08-30T15:07:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T15:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/60427\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T15:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T15:07:36","slug":"tennis-core-isnt-going-anywhere-heres-how-to-make-the-trend-look-stylish-not-tacky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/60427\/","title":{"rendered":"“Tennis-Core” Isn\u2019t Going Anywhere. Here\u2019s How to Make the Trend Look Stylish, Not Tacky"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated3 min read<\/p>\n

As tennis season ramps up, especially with the US Open, now’s the perfect time to dive back into a popular interior design style: Tennis-Core. The trend\u2014think quiet luxury meets preppy nostalgia\u2014emerged in 2024, gaining recognition alongside cottage-core<\/a>, animal-core<\/a>, and fisherman-core<\/a>, but we believe tennis actually has enduring staying power.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re seeing crisp whites, clubhouse vibes, vintage racquets, and just a hint of neon in homes. “We\u2019re in a trend toward general health, wellness, and better work\/life balance where fewer people are tied to a desk all day,” says designer Cece Bowman of Cece Bowman Interiors<\/a>. “With this change, there is a growing community<\/a> around tennis and other outdoor social sports. It’s the updated ‘golf course,’ and everyone is invited.”<\/p>\n

Below, we break down how to incorporate the tennis look into your spaces\u2014tastefully, of course.<\/p>\n

What Is Tennis-core? <\/p>\n

Tennis-core is the perfectly pressed lovechild of East Coast prep, retro sports nostalgia, and clean, minimalist design. Greeley characterizes this trend as new but with deep roots in country club decor. It borrows from the classic look of the tennis world\u2014green courts, netted textures, and crisp pleats\u2014and spins it into interiors that feel fresh and elevated. Greeley agrees, associating the trend with “green and white awnings, white benches and lawn furniture, grid patterns that evoke the net, and the use of old racquets.” It\u2019s not kitsch. It\u2019s not costume-y. It\u2019s a lifestyle. (Or at least, the illusion of one.)<\/p>\n

“If you are bringing tennis into the home, you have to be clever,” Bowman advises. Below, we break down exactly how to style it without ending up looking like your guest room is sponsored by Wilson. Because if we\u2019re doing sports, we\u2019re doing them in linen, lacquer, and vintage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Play With The Color Palette\"twinMO ARPIA crisp white with a contrasting pop of green, as shown in this bedroom by E&A Interiors<\/a>, is a subtle way to nod to the classic tennis color palette without incorporating actual tennis memorabilia.<\/p>\n

There’s a clear color palette that comes to mind when you think of tennis, thanks to the sport’s iconic imagery of crisp tennis whites, freshly cut grass, clear blue skies, terracotta clay courts, and, of course, acidic yellow tennis balls. The aesthetic is bright and playful while remaining classic.<\/p>\n

\"50<\/p>\n

Max Kim-Bee<\/p>\n

Unlike maximalist color drenching<\/a> or pattern mixing, this trend is all about refinement and restraint. Much like the courts players play on, when planning your paint choices<\/a>, be sure to stick within the lines. “Don’t get so literal with it,” advises Greeley. “Lean into green and white, like the you would see on awnings stripes or another color combo pulled from the courts.” That restraint doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, though. Go bold with flashy yellows and Kelly Greens, get creative with preppy color blocking, or evoke your moodier side and cover a room in a warm clay color.<\/p>\n

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Curate Vintage Pieces \"bedroom\"Julia LynnIn the bedroom of an accomplished teen tennis player, designer Alaina Michelle Ralph<\/a> chose to highlight a vintage tennis racket gallery.<\/p>\n

No trend is complete without a few good vintage pieces<\/a>, and tennis-core is no different. Due to the clubhouse aspect of the sport, this trend shines best with a few antiques mixed in. Use this as an opportunity to incorporate texture, natural materials, and darker colors and tones.<\/p>\n

Source vintage tennis rackets to incorporate into a custom gallery wall or create a bespoke art installation. Add depth by curating a selection of rattan accents like trays, side tables, and bar carts, or dark wood pieces like trunks and campaign chests to complete the look. Retro tennis lifestyle photography is another cool way to ace this trend. Enlarge and frame your favorite image to make a bold statement over a console or credenza.<\/p>\n

Don’t Overdo It\"hollywoodTessa NeustadtOpt for one large print depicting a subtle reference or a cute tennis motif throw while leaving the rest of the space classic. Designer Tammy Randall Wood<\/a> of Interior Archaeology lets the art speak for itself in this California bedroom<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Like other designers embracing the trend, Bowman is down to incorporate a blatant, on-the-nose tennis piece here and there, as long as it’s done with a little humor. “I would stick to a classic needlepoint pillow with a good tennis joke or having a funny nod to the sport in a single bathroom accessory,” she says. “Too many references, though, and you’ll cross the line into something overdone.”<\/p>\n

When it comes to incorporating elements of this trend, you must know when to call the match. “We had a client a few years ago who wanted to paint a court onto the floor of a room instead of using a rug,” says Bowman. “This did not come to fruition, but it would have been a good party trick!”<\/p>\n

Whether you’re fully redecorating or just swapping in a striped throw and calling it a day, tennis-core is the trendiest way to play the home game. Just don\u2019t forget to serve with style.<\/p>\n

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\""Court<\/a>“Court Series” Clay Court Rug by Pieces<\/p>\n

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