John Lennon's '60s Living Room Teaches Retro Styling

a split screen with a picture of john lennon on the left and his '60s living room on the right — (Image credit: Bettmann/Keystone-France via Getty Images)

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Recreate John's Look at Home

The biggest synergy between interior design trends of the 2020s is nostalgia. Silhouettes and materials from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s have been dominating our mood boards in an all out rejection of anything that feels too modern or minimalist - thus, we return to the past for styling inspiration.

John Lennon's home in Surrey, UK, is the perfect place to start for '60s trends making a comeback. An archival image from 1967 shows the Beatle reclining in his living room on a cane sofa (similar to this mid-century modern one from Wayfair). The rest of the room is alive with personality. John's cabinets and shelves are covered in items gathered from his travels, the floor is adorned with a Persian rug, and the walls are alive with a gallery. No surface has been ignored as a potential home for his eclectic collection.

The combination of bohemian pieces with mid-century modern furniture in John's space transport us to a different era, where homes were built-to be lived in, and express the personality of the people who lived there. To help you embrace John's retro style in your own home, we explore what makes his living room special, and how to recreate it. I've also curated an edit of products similar to those in this space, to make it even easier.

john lennon in his '60s living room — John Lennon at home in Weybridge, in the borough of Surrey, England around 1967

Recreate John's Look at Home

Antique

Willa Antiqued Wood Wall Frame with Matte 5 x 7

This carved wood frame would look best with a mini drawing or print placed at its center. It's an ornate, eclectic design that would look beautiful paired beside other picture frame styles.

Versatile

Chinoiserie Vase

This beautiful blue and white ceramic vase is a celebration of the art of chinoiserie. You can style it on a pedestal for a more classic look, or atop side cabinets as seen in John's home.

Brass

Brass Trimmed Fluted Glass Picture Frame

This elegant brass picture frame is so sophisticated and will delicately catch the light, allowing your picture to shine without dominating.

Vibrant gem tones

Sarina Persian Style Rug

This flatweave rug is made of 100% polyester in the style of an old-world Persian rug. Available in several sizes for convenient use in any room, especially a large living area.

Intricate Design

Silver Plated Candlesticks

An eclectic, retro living room needs a combination of materials and styles. These ultra-affordable silver plated candlesticks from Amazon have a beautiful pattern that is not soon forgotten.

Chic Handles

FLÅDIS Basket

John stores blankets for his sofa in a chic woven basket to integrate additional texture into his home. This IKEA basket is the perfect pick for doing the same.

According to experts, part of what makes John's decor so effortless is that he used '60s style decor in his '60s home. You don't necessarily need a home built in 1965 to tap into the look, but creating synergy between the design era and time period of your home is essential to making sure this interior design trend feels organic and not forced.

Lesley Taylor, Interior Designer, explains how it works: 'A lot of properties in the UK were built in the 60s and 70s and what we are seeing is homeowners putting retro products back into the settings for which they were designed. Not only do they look amazing, but they cement the look and feel of the original architecture.' Wherever you live, researching styles that align with your home's period is essential for embracing retro decor in a timeless way.

If John Lennon's home looks like a lot of what you've been saving on Pinterest, you're not alone: the '60s look is emerging as a major interior design trend for 2026.

Lesley tells Homes & Gardens: 'Design comes in cycles and it’s wonderful to see the next generation really appreciate the beauty of this 60s and 70s-inspired style. I am thrilled to see retro interiors make a comeback. They are incredibly versatile and with some clever styling, they can really take you back to a different era.'

John's living room is '60s maximalist but not cluttered, and this curated style is incredibly intentional. To accomplish the same balance, focus on achieving a mix of storage and items that are out. John uses woven baskets and covered cabinets, but there are many ways to get creative in your retro-inspired space.

Design expert John Branigan explains: 'A lived-in home still needs structure. Sideboards, chests of drawers, and storage benches allow everyday items to be close to hand without being constantly on display. When storage is easy to access, it becomes part of daily routines rather than an afterthought. Hidden storage helps maintain a relaxed feel, allowing rooms to look tidy without feeling overly controlled or stripped back.'

Mastering retro styling comes down to decorating with personality, and channelling a balance between noise and quiet. With inspiration like John Lennon's living room, you're on the right track.

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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.