Chintz bedroom ideas for retro charm

Credit: @patriciarodi

Love it or hate it, chintz is back in fashion. Let’s explore how to achieve a contemporary twist on a vintage-inspired chintzy bedroom interior. 

Like every maximalist design trend, chintz interiors are not for the faint-hearted. In fact, it’s fair to say that this intense floral pattern is the marmite of the interior design world.   

It’s easy to see why so many people are daunted by the idea of using chintz in their homes. Get it wrong, and your bedroom could look outdated and drab. Plus, too many of these busy prints can cause a headache or two – not an ideal situation for a room meant for rest and relaxation.  

That’s why we’re here to lend a helping hand. In this guide, we’ll show you how to honour the chintz aesthetic without going overboard, as well as share some of our favourite pop culture references that do the trend justice. 

Ready for some chintzpiration? Let’s begin…  

Chintz interior design has evolved a lot over the years. Originally, the word “chintz” was used to describe a specific “cotton textile […] featuring colourful, woodblock-printed, painted, stained or glazed design”, which emerged from India in the 16th century.  

By the 1980s, chintzy interiors were everywhere. We plastered busy, clashing florals all over our homes; on frilly sofas and armchairs, headboards, quilts, cushions, curtains, lampshades – you name it!    

Then came the downfall of chintzy style. Due to overconsumption in the eighties, the trend went out of fashion, ushering in a new era of clean lines and muted colours. Hello, minimalism!

However, like every design trend throughout the last 100 years, they always come back around. Now, chintzy interiors are back, with pop culture icons like Bridget Jones driving it into the mainstream once again. But we’ll get into that later…  

Since the chintz aesthetic is naturally rooted in old-fashioned style, the secret to keeping it contemporary is contrasting the old with the new. By taking the core elements of what everyone loves from the trend (in this case, beautiful floral patterns), you can still respect the past but give it a modern makeover.  

Just like the cottagecore trend, centred around romanticising rural cottage living, chintz is all about honouring much-loved vintage patterns, whilst giving them a place in the modern world. Both have elements of nostalgia at the heart, which is why so many of us turn back to these designs time and time again.   

Feeling inspired to lean into your chintzy side? Here are our top six ways to create a charming chintz aesthetic in your contemporary bedroom… 

1. Experiment with a bold wallpaper

One of the simplest and most effective ways to create a chintz-inspired bedroom is with wallpaper.   

Applying chintz wallpaper to bedroom walls is basically like having floor-to-ceiling artwork! It doesn’t have to be too intense, either. Whilst most people associate chintz with deep reds and purples, you can still make a bold impact with softer pastel shades. This light blue wallpaper featuring green foliage and pastel flowers is an excellent example of a more subtle effect. We love how the room has been styled to match the colour palette of the wallpaper, for an overall cohesive look.  

If you’re keen to layer multiple chintz patterns around your room but you’re worried about it looking OTT, consider a tone on tone design. This is the art of subtly layering different shades of one single colour to a space, for a cool monochrome aesthetic.   

You can still use patterns to add that distinct chintz look, but the overall feel will be much more muted and elevated in one shade, as opposed to lots of patterns in lots of different colours.  

For this technique, we love picking a bold colour such as pink or red to create a real statement, show home-esque look.  

3. Add some ornate foundations

One of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to update your bedroom look is by switching up your bedding. We love butter yellow bed linens in the spring and summertime to freshen up a space.  

Choose from plain yellow to patterns like stripes, spots or gingham to add some extra visual interest. To finish the look, add a blanket in a darker, tonal yellow and matching cushions to tie everything together. Or, if you prefer a more maximalist aesthetic, try a contrasting colour such as blue or pink.  

4. Repeat your patterns 

Another way to approach the chintzy look is through repetition. Many traditional bedrooms featuring chintz florals will use the same pattern on multiple surfaces, for example, on your bedding, your curtains, and on a lampshade or two. This may sound rather bizarre and feel slightly like living in a dollhouse, but trust us, the result looks amazing.  

To keep things looking fresh and modern, make sure to break up the space with gaps of crisp white. This contrast will keep your space looking cool and contemporary, whilst still utterly preppy and chic. 

5. Create a dramatic bed

Credit: @our_journey_at_81 

Chintzy bedrooms are all about a bit of drama. Now is your chance to invest in some new bedding, cushions and blankets to give your bed the makeover it deserves. The key here is coordination.  

We love how @our_journey_at_81 has styled our Alana Ottoman Bed with multiple different textures and patterns all in the same colour palette, to keep everything tied together. Notice how the colours on the bed also match the colour palette of the mural wallpaper. Even though there’s a lot going on here, the room doesn’t feel too overwhelming thanks to the carefully picked colours. Sometimes, more really is more.    

6. Add some vintage accessories 

Finally, don’t forget about accessories! Your finishing touches are the final pieces that bring your bedroom together. As mentioned earlier, printed lampshades are a hallmark of the chintz aesthetic, so make sure to place some beautiful, patterned lamps on either side of your bed, or in the corner of your room. Bonus points for matching your wallpaper.  

Add other vintage-inspired accents, such as a glossy ceramic vase, a vinyl record player or some stunning candlestick holders, to create that all-important bedtime reading ambience. Go for quality over quantity here – simple sophistication is key. 

If you love the “frazzled English woman” TikTok trend, chintz interiors are for you.  

If you’re not in the know, this trend refers to the classic lead heroine found in every 90s-00s romcom. Think Bridget Jones’ Diary, The Holiday, and Love Actually. The character rushes about in her London townhouse, dressed in messy but equally chic clothing, has a job in publishing and is likely going to be swept off her feet by Hugh Grant. Sound familiar?  

The chintz aesthetic goes hand-in-hand with the “frazzled English woman” look. Think walls plastered in chintzy florals, upholstered furniture, a messy unmade bed (but with the cutest gingham bedding so nobody really minds), bookshelves stuffed with novels, knick-knacks everywhere and copious lamps giving out a soft glow throughout the house. Yes, chintzy designs are a “frazzled English woman”’s dream.  

Credit: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

If you need any more inspiration on getting the “Frazzled English woman” look, we’ve compiled our favourite chintzy interiors from TV and film below… 

Bridget Jones, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)

Arguably the queen of “Frazzled English woman” style is dear Bridget Jones. Whilst her cosy London flat has always been apartment goals, Bridget gets an upgrade in the latest flick, Mad About the Boy, which came out earlier this year. Now, we see grown-up Bridge living in a beautiful home in Hampstead, which is full of cosy (and yes, still chaotic) character.  

Iris Simpkins, The Holiday (2006)

Another “frazzled English woman” staple is, without a doubt, Kate Winslet’s character in the Christmas classic, The Holiday. Rosehill cottage, located in a quaint fictional village somewhere in Surrey, is a chintzy paradise. Not only is it nestled in the middle of a tranquil countryside, but it’s also filled with beautiful brickwork, a roaring fire and the cosiest bed we’ve ever laid eyes on.  

Sarah, Love Actually (2003)

Finally, we have the lovestruck Sarah from everyone’s favourite ensemble Christmas movie, Love Actually (2003). We see a glimpse of Sarah’s cosy abode in the climactic scene where her colleague (and long-time crush), Karl, comes over to visit. Whilst Karl is a major distraction, viewers can’t help but fall in love with Sarah’s chintzy bedroom of dreams, which is filled with soft furnishings, pretty floral patterns and a lamp in every corner!