The nineteen-sixties brought a joyful change to home interiors, swapping formal rooms for bright colour, playful shapes and furniture made for relaxing. A 60s decorating style still feels fresh today because it is confident without being stiff: bold patterns, smooth curves, warm wood and pops of orange, teal and mustard can lift even a plain modern room. A few well-chosen colours, one statement chair and some patterned textiles can give your home that cheerful retro spirit while keeping it comfortable for everyday living. This guide shows how to borrow the best ideas from the decade and make them work in a modern home.
What Defines the Look of the Sixties
The sixties look is easy to recognise once you know its signs. Furniture had low, wide shapes, tapered wooden legs and rounded corners, while fabrics carried large geometric prints, bold stripes and flower patterns in strong colours. Plastic and fibreglass chairs sat beside warm teak sideboards, and lighting moved away from heavy shades towards sculptural lamps and paper lanterns. Colour did the talking: avocado green, burnt orange, mustard yellow, turquoise and warm brown appeared together in ways that felt daring at the time. For a wider sense of how trends come and go, see our latest decoration trends and our interior decoration tips for fitting a strong look into a calm room.
Colour Palettes That Capture the Decade
Colour is the fastest way to bring the sixties into your home, and it works best when you choose a clear palette and repeat it. Start with a warm neutral base such as cream, soft white or pale wood, then add two or three bold colours from the decade. Mustard and teal make a lively pair, while orange and brown feel warm and earthy, and avocado green with cream gives a softer retro mood. Use the boldest colour in smaller amounts, on cushions, a throw, a rug or a single painted wall, so the room stays restful. If you want the room to feel balanced, repeat each colour at least twice, for example in a cushion and a lamp shade. Our guide to decorating a console table shows how small colour repeats can tie a whole corner together.
Furniture Shapes and Materials to Look For
Sixties furniture is loved for its shape: low lounge chairs, curved sofas, round coffee tables and sideboards with slim tapered legs. Teak and walnut wood bring warmth, while moulded plastic chairs, chrome details and glass tops add a lighter, more modern touch. Look for pieces with smooth curves rather than sharp corners, and for storage furniture that sits low and long instead of tall and heavy. A single statement chair can set the tone for a whole room, so choose one you truly like and keep the pieces around it simple. When you arrange furniture, leave space to move around it, because sixties rooms were made for relaxing and gathering. For ideas on shaping a wall display around your furniture, see our decorative wall moulding ideas and our wall decorations for the dining room.
Patterns, Textiles and Wall Decor
Pattern is where the sixties really had fun, and textiles are the easiest place to try it. Large-scale geometric prints, bold flowers, stripes and circles look wonderful on curtains, cushions and rugs, but one strong pattern per room is usually enough. Pair a bold cushion with a plain throw, or a patterned rug with solid-coloured seating, so the eye has somewhere to rest. On the walls, framed prints, sunburst mirrors and simple wooden shelves add retro character without overwhelming the space. A 60s decorating style also suits a gallery wall of small framed posters, kept in matching frames for a tidy finish. Soft velvet cushions add comfort and depth to a bold scheme, as our velvet decorative pillows guide explains, and our home decor ideas show how pattern and plain surfaces can work together.
Lighting and Small Details That Finish the Room
Lighting can make or break a retro room, so choose pieces with character. A large pendant light over a dining table, a sculptural table lamp on a sideboard or a floor lamp with a wide shade all suit the decade. Warm-toned bulbs keep the colours soft in the evening, while a dimmer lets you change the mood from bright daytime to relaxed night-time. Small details matter too: a ceramic vase, a wooden bowl, a stack of colourful books or a patterned tray can carry the theme without any big spending. Lampshades are a simple swap that changes a room quickly, and our decorative lamp shades guide shows how shape and colour affect the light. A 60s decorating style feels complete when the lighting is warm and the colours can glow in the evening. A small plant in a ceramic pot adds life and softens the straight lines of retro furniture.
How to Mix Retro Style with Modern Living
The best retro rooms are not copies of the past; they blend old charm with modern comfort. Keep your everyday comforts, such as a supportive sofa, good storage and easy-to-clean surfaces, and let the sixties influence the colours, shapes and accessories. If you love bold colour but want a calm bedroom, use it on bedding and art while keeping the walls pale. Renters can use cushions, throws, removable wall art and rugs to get the effect without painting or changing furniture. A western-style wall piece can sit happily beside retro prints if the colours match, as our western wall decor ideas show. Small upgrades often make the biggest difference, and our small upgrades that make a big difference at home guide is full of low-cost ways to refresh a room step by step.
Conclusion
A sixties-inspired home is cheerful, welcoming and full of personality, and it does not need a full makeover to work. Choose a warm palette, add one or two curved furniture pieces, and let pattern and lighting do the rest. A 60s decorating style is at its best when it feels lived in, with comfortable seating, personal objects and colours you enjoy every day. Start small, live with each change for a while, and add more retro touches only where they make the room better. With a little confidence and a clear palette, you can give any modern home a bright touch of sixties charm.
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