7 Things Your Grandparents Decorated With That Designers Now Love

For many of us, our grandparents’ homes conjure dated rooms filled with chintzy textiles, highly varnished dark wood furniture, deep-pile carpets, ornate crystalware, and dusty china. Over the decades, as interiors have grown more streamlined, efficient and clutter-free, many of these more decorative items fell out of fashion; however, today they’re proving a source of inspiration for interior designers.

While there are many elements of vintage decor that we’d happily banish, increasingly, designers are seeking out vintage and retro pieces for their character, craftsmanship and nostalgic appeal. Whether passed down from family or carefully sourced, vintage and Mid-century pieces are being embraced by designers and artfully curated alongside modern finds as part of layered interiors full of personality.

But what are the vintage pieces that our grandparents once decorated with that designers now love, and why are they making a comeback? We reached out to the experts to get their insights on the key vintage items they look for and why they love to decorate with them.

‘For a while, I think people became very focused on everything feeling new, clean and perfectly coordinated. There was a tendency to remove anything that felt too traditional or inherited in favor of a much more streamlined aesthetic. Now, we are seeing a real appreciation for craftsmanship, natural materials and things that have a story,’ explains interior designer Alison Babcock.

‘I love the warmth and soul that a vintage piece brings to a room. You simply cannot replicate the patina of an old wood table, the character of a handmade ceramic, or the individuality of something that has been used and loved for decades. Those elements keep a beautifully designed room from feeling too perfect.’

1. Chintz

Chintz fell out of fashion for many years, giving way to minimalist, streamlined interiors, but now the tables are turning, and chintz is back in a big way. Conjuring English country romance, designers are falling in love with these prints again, using them in fresh, contemporary ways.

‘I’ve always loved chintz because it has so much personality. It can feel very nostalgic, but when you use it in a more edited way (mixed with stripes, checks, or something cleaner and more tailored), it feels fresh again,’ explains Katie Davis, founder of Katie Davis Design. ‘I also love that it instantly makes a room feel a little more collected.’

Featuring an array of different tones, these floriferous designs make great hero prints and offer plenty of inspiration for room color schemes. There are plenty of vintage fabrics around if you look in the right places, but they can sometimes be damaged and in poor condition, so opting for a contemporary chintz inspired by vintage designs is often the way to go, and fortunately there are plenty of designs available.

Chintz champion and interiors influencer Landon McAfee inherited his grandma’s chintz sofa and loved it so much that he built his living room scheme around the print. 'Lots of things in my home once belonged to my grandmother – quilts, glassware, and even furniture. My sofa in my sunroom was my grandmother's.'

2. Patchwork Quilts

Beautiful examples of time-honored American craftsmanship, patchwork quilts have been bringing color, pattern, and softness into interiors for centuries. Once a common sight in our grandparents' homes, these heirloom pieces are cropping up more and more in today’s interior schemes.

To bring these quilts up to date, designers are tapping into vintage folk art traditions and layering these pieces with contemporary design, creating collected interiors and a lived-in feel that doesn't feel dated. For an authentic look, there are plenty of vintage designs available on Etsy; alternatively, go for a more contemporary take with quilts in modern colorways and fabrics.

'What I love about patchwork quilts is that they take such time and dedication; I like to say I’m “adopting them”. Something that takes so long to create should be cherished,' says Landon. 'I have inherited a few from grandparents and great-grandparents; others I have found while antiquing, or they have been given as gifts.'

'I drape many of mine over neutral sofas or plain bedding to add color and pattern,' adds Landon. 'If you’ve just built a home, or you’re looking to bring in some vintage textiles, a quilt is the perfect fix. The mix of a new sofa and old quilt creates a functional yet well-lived-in look.'

3. Vintage Blue and White China

There was a time when the ornate, hand-decorated family china would be proudly displayed in a cabinet or dresser and brought out for special family occasions. However, over the decades, mass-produced, basic dinnerware superseded these beautiful handcrafted pieces and, rather than being showcased, china has been banished to the cupboards to achieve clutter-free interiors.

Today, decorative china is very much back in vogue and makes a wonderful way to add personality to the table or create eye-catching decorative wall art. English-style blue and white pieces are becoming particularly sought after, with many home brands creating pretty look-alike ranges.

‘Blue-and-white china is one of those things that never really went away for me. It adds history and character so easily, and I love using it in a way that feels a little unexpected; grouped on a wall, mixed with more casual pieces, or layered into a room that isn’t overly traditional,’ explains Katie Davis. ‘It brings in that sense of something collected over time, which always makes a space feel more personal.’

Kristina Khersonsky, founder of Studio Keeta, is another fan of a grouped china display. ‘Wall plates are one of those decorating details I’ve always loved. They remind me of the way our (European) grandparents decorated; beautiful plates were not necessarily tucked away in a cabinet because they were likely a gift or a coveted expensive item in the house.’

4. Retro Barware

Home bars emerged in the 1920s and 30s, in part as a backlash against Prohibition, but they became particularly sought after in the 1950s and 1960s, and for many, they bring back nostalgic memories of family parties. Today, as entertaining from home becomes ever more popular, many of us are factoring in home bar ideas into our living and dining spaces, be it a luxury bespoke design fitted into cabinetry or a simple vintage bar cart. When it comes to kitting them out for clients, many designers are leaning into retro barware, sourcing Mid-century ice buckets and cocktail shakers to delicate vintage coupe glasses and everything you need for that classic Mai Tai or Grasshopper.

‘Crystal coupes, decanters, and barware are often hiding in dining room cabinets waiting to be rediscovered. Hand-cut crystal or pieces from makers like Baccarat, Waterford, Heisey, or Saint Louis can carry both sentimental and market value,’ says Cait Barker, co-founder of online vintage store By Bessette. ‘We’re seeing renewed interest as people entertain more thoughtfully and look for special pieces that elevate everyday rituals.’

'A well-stocked bar cart is invaluable when entertaining, as it not only cuts the formality but also allows guests to feel free to help themselves to their own drinks. This is especially helpful in a small home when you may not have the space to prepare drinks and cook at the same time without falling over yourself,' explains Lucy Mayers, senior interior designer at Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler. For her own home, Lucy chose a vintage Joseph Frank cart in brass, which shines against blue walls. For similar designs, try Vinterior.

5. Rattan Furniture and Accessories

From dining chairs and side tables to mirror frames and retro magazine racks, furniture and accessories made from rattan and cane have been on the rise for a few years now and show no sign of abating. 'I’m always drawn to pieces that bring character and history into a room, and a beautifully made rattan piece can do exactly that,' explains Allison Babcock.

'People sometimes have the misconception that rattan is seasonal or dated, but I think there’s a reason we continue to see it even as styles and design preferences change. It really is a classic material, and it’s incredibly durable. Good rattan doesn’t feel trendy – it has an ease and timelessness that allows it to live comfortably alongside both vintage and contemporary furnishings.'

There are many reasons why designers love rattan decorating ideas. Not only do they blend with a wide array of design styles, but they are also highly practical; being lightweight, they are easy to move around the home, plus their airy structure prevents spaces from feeling too heavy and cluttered, unlike more robust pieces of furniture.

'Rattan has the ability to work alongside so many different styles. I particularly love it with chinoiserie and patterned wallpaper because it adds a beautiful textural layer without overpowering the room. Used in moderation, it gives an interior warmth and a sense of being collected over time,' adds Allison.

6. Mid-Century Chairs

Many of us hold fond childhood memories of large family dinners gathered around grandparents’ dining tables, so it’s no wonder retro dining chairs often have sentimental appeal.

While wood and cane chairs were deemed dated for a time, retro and vintage styles are now highly sought after by interior designers. From sleek Mid-century teak designs to retro cane chairs, these distinctive pieces are a great way to bring a sculptural element to interiors, plus they can be very affordable. Many authentic Mid-century pieces can be picked up for good prices at flea markets or online auctions. Alternatively, there are lots of modern interpretations available inspired by originals such as the Ida teak dining chairs at Lulu and Georgia.

‘Vintage dining chairs are one of my most frequently used items to install in our projects. The artisan quality and character of vintage seating are unmatched; they are exceptionally well-made and designed to last,’ explains Sophia deDomenico, founder of Et Sal Interiors. ‘The unique, delicate shapes and natural wear add character and warmth. Specifically, high-backed mid-century chairs take me back to Sunday dinners sitting around my grandparents’ dining table. They remind me of long meals, family conversations, and a time when Sunday dinner was the pinnacle of the week.’

When buying vintage furniture, 'quality and character are key,' explains Cait Barker, co-founder of By Bessette. 'Look for solid construction, natural materials, and signs of thoughtful craftsmanship. Patina is a plus! It’s evidence of age and use, not a flaw.'

7. Tapestry, Embroidery and Needlework

Tapestries and needlework are having a renaissance at the moment and are loved by designers as a way to bring texture, character, and a touch of heritage into the home. However, rather than layering them with antiques, designers are taking them out of context and are decorating with these time-honored textiles in fresh new ways.

'Wall tapestries are something I’ve always been drawn to because they carry a sense of history and craftsmanship, but they can also feel surprisingly modern with the right context,' explains Kristina Khersonsky. 'They remind me of the kinds of decorative textiles you might have seen in a grandparent’s home; pieces that were kept and lived with for decades rather than changed out with every trend.'

'In our Weho Bungalow project, we hung the tapestry quite low and directly above the sofa to allow for its scale to command the space. Against the rust-colored sofa, it becomes the anchor. The concoction of genres and styles throughout the room, coupled with the unexpected objects around it, keeps the tapestry from dictating the period of the space,' explains Kristina.

However, you don't need to invest in a large wall hanging to tap into this trend. Many brands have launched tapestry-inspired pieces such as McGee & Co.'s tapestry Catherine ottoman and the Enfield dining chair from Lulu and Georgia. According to Cait Barker, there's also a growing demand for embroidered table linen and napkins. 'Hand-embroidered linens, monogrammed napkins, lace tablecloths, and needlepoint pieces are often treasures hiding in plain sight. These items reflect an extraordinary amount of handwork that is difficult to replicate today. Whether used as intended or repurposed, they carry both emotional and aesthetic value.'

Often handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, these items, which we remember in our grandparents’ homes, are all making a comeback as designers seek to create layered and collected spaces. Many of these items once graced our grandparents' homes, so as well as decorative appeal, they also often conjure a sense of nostalgia and cherished memories.

However, too much vintage can easily make homes feel dated and cluttered. The key, say experts, is mixing these old pieces with new. Balancing vintage with contemporary pieces requires thoughtful restraint. Vintage is not a theme, and we are not aiming to recreate a room from the era the pieces came from,’ explains Sophia deDominco, founder of Et Sal Interiors.

‘Instead, we use a mix of styles, architectural elements, lighting, furniture, and textiles. We layer vintage rugs among sleek sofas and case goods with clean lines, allowing a room to feel wholly unique and personalized. Mixing periods, materials, silhouettes, and sizes helps a room feel intentional and collected over time rather than like it belongs to one specific decade.’

Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.