Vintage bedroom ideas to create a timeless escape

Calling all nostalgia lovers! If you’re an old soul that prefers a bedroom design that feels well-loved and bursting with vintage charm, have we got some ideas for you… 

There’s a reason that so many of us turn back to years gone by for design inspiration; it has enduring appeal. When we incorporate antique and retro elements into a room, we can instantly add warm character to an otherwise cold, contemporary space. But mastering the art of vintage design can be tricky. Too eclectic and you could risk your room looking more shabby than shabby-chic.    

If you’re wondering how to add a vintage spin to your bedroom without it looking drab, we’re here to lend a helping hand.  

In this expert guide, we’ll share our best vintage bedroom ideas and teach you how to blend retro aesthetics with modern touches, creating a personal retreat that reflects your unique style.

Put simply, a vintage bedroom refers to decorating with any furniture, accessories or decor from a previous time.  

Whilst most people associate ‘vintage’ with hundreds of years ago, it could also refer to a mushroom lamp from the 1960s, or even one of those Y2K squiggly mirrors that every ‘90s kid had in their bedrooms (*cue the millennial tears*). The best thing about designing a vintage bedroom is that you can make it whatever you want. Retro, your way.  

As we’ve already mentioned, too much vintage can make a room feel outdated and unloved. Getting the right balance is key. 

The secret to avoiding your bedroom looking like a museum is by mixing the old and new together. It’s minimalism meets vintage. By carefully contrasting and blending retro treasures with contemporary pieces, you’ll create a harmonious space that’s visually interesting, whilst still being warm and inviting. After all, your bedroom needs to be a relaxing haven for you to unwind in at the end of the day.  

Choose your vintage furniture and decor carefully, and make sure to balance the overall feel with modern updates. For example, if you’re using all vintage furniture, make sure to counter this with contemporary soft furnishings like bedding, pillows, curtains and rugs.  

Alternatively, counter modern textiles with vintage accents. If you’ve got lots of modern furniture and you want to give your bedroom a nostalgic makeover, use retro ornaments and accessories to add just a touch of rustic charm.  

Let’s dive into some of our favourite ways to create a beautiful vintage bedroom for everlasting appeal…  

First and foremost, you need to think about the bones and structure of your room. Adding large antique furniture is a fantastic way to create a statement in your vintage bedroom design. Plus, there are so many modern ways to style retro furniture for a fresh twist on an old classic.  

The best place to start is with your bed. If you ask us, the bed is the centrepiece of any bedroom! Antique-style bed frames are a sure-fire way to add some instant charm and a retro feel to any space. Think about intricately carved wooden headboards to beautifully ornate metal frames; anything that feels elegant will do the trick.  

The good news is that you can still get a vintage look without having to buy second-hand. For example, sleigh beds, like our Alana Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame, feel particularly grand, thanks to its traditional scrolled headboard and statement button detailing. Dress with crisp white sheets or perhaps add a pop of floral for more intricate vintage detailing.  

Vintage dressers and nightstands

An iconic part of a vintage bedroom design is by investing in a retro dresser or chest of drawers. Typically wooden and featuring smooth curves, they’re stylish yet extremely practical. Use as your bedside table, a TV stand or handy clothes storage.  

 Additionally, you might want to create a glamorous dressing area complete with a vintage dresser. Decorate your dresser with an ornate mirror, an elegant glass tray to place all of your everyday essentials like skincare, make up and perfume, and an old-fashioned jewellery box to complete the look. With this set up, you can get ready in the morning just like an old-school Hollywood movie star. Audrey Hepburn, who?! 

Seating and armchairs

Having a statement chair in the bedroom is an excellent way to transform your vintage room into something out of a magazine show home. Position in the corner if you have space and angle towards the bed. Depending on what kind of vibe you want to create, think about the shape and style of your armchair. To create a vintage Parisian boudoir, choose a French-style armchair which features a carved wooden frame and upholstered seat – très chic! Or, if you prefer a mid-century modern aesthetic, go for a velvet armchair in a bold colour, like our Gallway Chair with those signature curves from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Groovy baby!  

If you really want to impress your friends and family, consider investing in a luxurious chaise longue for extravagant lounging. Now that’s a statement!   

Next, you need to think about what kind of patterns, prints, materials, and textures that you want to incorporate in your bedroom.  

Bedding and curtains

Starting with your soft furnishings, think about introducing vintage-look textiles to your sleeping space. Imagine the ultimate cottagecore bed. For your bedding, layer your bed with soft, frilly bedsheets, a fluffy duvet and plenty of plump pillows. Think elegant pinstripes, feminine florals and paisley prints. Heck, even add a retro bed skirt to finish the look. When it comes to vintage bedding, the more frills and fuss the better!  

In a similar fashion, think about dressing your windows with as much attention as you would your bed. In other words, with just as many patterns and layers. Say goodbye to minimalist blinds and hello to sheer white linen curtains, partnered with thick, embroidered floral curtains – just like the ones in The Sound of Music. All that’s missing is Julie Andrews singing “My Favourite Things” …  

Rugs

Whether you’re working with original floorboards (lucky you) or a contemporary carpet, adding a vintage rug is an easy way to inject instant old-school elegance to your bedroom. Most antique rugs are rectangular and feature an intricate pattern, usually in a symmetrical formation with a border.   

Whilst vintage rugs can be a costly investment, they’re certainly worth it if you’re looking to add character and warmth to your space. Plus, they keep your toes nice and toasty when you step out of bed in the morning!   

Wallpaper

Credit: wmorrisandco

Wallpaper thrives in a vintage bedroom. From preppy stripes to delicate florals, there are so many vintage patterned wallpaper looks to choose from. Of course, nobody does it quite as well as Morris & Co. Celebrating the signature style of the 19th century artist, William Morris, these signature wallpaper patterns are sure to make the perfect backdrop for your elegant, retro sleeping space.  

Like most design trends, the vintage aesthetic has a signature colour palette, too. Let’s review some of our favourite picks…  

Muted and earthy tones

For your key colours, it’s best to stick to calm, muted neutrals and earth tones. The key word is understated, so let your furniture do the talking and allow your colour palette to subtly blend everything together. Colours that work well are pale neutrals such as: white, eggshell, ivory, cream, sand, beige, ecru, mocha, stone, tan. Deeper earthy tones like rich burgundy, rust, terracotta, forest green, burnt orange and navy blue are all great for adding depth and warmth to your space.  

Remember, vibrant, garish shades don’t have a place in an elegant vintage bedroom – you’ve been warned!  

Pastel accents

This doesn’t mean your bedroom has to be bland, though. Many pastel shades work beautifully with vintage decor, especially when used as an accent. We love feminine dusty rose, delicate duck egg blue, graceful sage green and pretty lavender. All of these pastels look great with white or cream and give off sophisticated elegance.  

Hints of gold and brass

When it comes to metals, rich tones like glamorous gold and warm brass are the perfect shades to tie your vintage bedroom together. Easily incorporate these tones by replacing light fittings, adding some ornate lamps to your bedside tables, or even investing in a beautiful statement frame, like this decadent mirror. Pure opulence! 

Whilst a vintage bedroom could be a hodgepodge of different eras, sometimes it’s fun to choose one particular decade and channel that energy into your room. Let’s look at two of our favourite time periods for some inspiration… 

1970s vintage design ideas

The groovy ‘70s are without a doubt one of the most popular time periods to draw design inspiration from. Bask in its rich, earthy colours like warm oranges, wooden browns and avocado greens, and textured signature pieces like shag carpets, rattan furniture and macramé wall hangings that are synonymous with the time. There’s plenty of love about the carefree, disco decade.   

 Fancy challenging your inner hippie? Check out our complete guide to 1970s bedroom design trends. 

1980s vintage design ideas

Another era that we love is the vibrant ‘80s. Think bold, funky patterns like zigzags and stripes, fierce animal prints and clashing colours combos to inject some fun into your bedroom. Artificial materials such as metal, leather, glass and neon lighting are all great additions to add some eighties edge.  

Is this your vibe? Check out our guide to nailing the 1980s bedroom aesthetic.  

Take even more inspiration from the past with our complete guide to the biggest bedroom design trends of the last 50 years – from the swinging sixties to the vibrant, fun-loving noughties. 

By choosing the right retro furniture and a few thoughtful touches, you can easily create a cosy vintage bedroom that’s full of timeless charm and evokes a true sense of nostalgia. Old has never looked so good!