A Perfect Combination of Traditional and Modern Styles
In the world of interior design, new trends are constantly emerging, and this year “Newstalgia” has quickly become the hottest buzzword in the industry. Newstalgia is a style that combines modern trends with traditional and vintage elements, resulting in an intentionally eclectic space that feels fresh and unique.
The name ‘Newstalgia’ combines the words ‘new’ and ‘nostalgia,’ which is fitting because this style takes the best of both worlds and blends them into something beautiful. With Newstalgia, you can enjoy the cozy, nostalgic feel of traditional furniture with the comfort and ease of modern technology.
This design movement champions the use of well-loved antiques, vintage pieces, and family heirlooms that bring character to your space. These older elements are refreshed with clean-lined, modern furniture, technology, and accents that provide balance and cohesion to the overall look.
The Growing Popularity of Newstalgia Today
Newstalgia has become a popular mainstay in the industry, but why is this trend all the rage these days? The answer lies in the growing influence of social media platforms, particularly Pinterest, which encourages individuals to personalize their living spaces like never before.
“On Pinterest, we’ve noticed this trend rising as people seek to bring retro back with a current feel in their homes,” notes Matt Siberry, the Head of Home at Pinterest. In fact, the search for “Modern retro decor” has increased by 95% on the platform.
The newfound accessibility of interior design through social platforms has paved the way for a new wave of creativity, inspiring people to try new things and experiment with different styles. Therefore, it is natural that Newstalgia has found success, given that it is the perfect eclectic mashup of personality and style trends.
In addition to personalization, there are many benefits to implementing Newstalgia in your home. Here are the main reasons why people are so excited to try Newstalgic interior design:
It’s easy to personalize
One great thing about Newstalgia is that it allows individuals to create an entirely personal space with no strict guidelines or specific design parameters to adhere to. “When picking out decor pieces, don’t be afraid to get eclectic and focus on what makes you feel happy and nostalgic, instead of feeling like you must adhere to one perfect style.” encourages art director Lauren Kavanagh.
The freedom to mix contemporary and vintage allows you to be as creative as you want in a way that reflects your personality and style. However, don’t take things too seriously; remember, there is no “right” way to bring this style into your home.
You get the best of both worlds
The beauty of Newstalgia lies in its ability to mix old and new items, bringing together pieces from different eras and blending them seamlessly. Traditional items such as antique furniture, vintage rugs, and classic artwork can be combined with modern appliances, sleek lighting fixtures, and contemporary décor. The resulting space is unique, eclectic, and full of character.
There is no need to sacrifice comfort for style with this design. One of the benefits of Newstalgia is that it allows you to enjoy the convenience of modern technology while still maintaining the comfort and nostalgia of traditional design styles. The ease of modern technology and beautiful antique and vintage decor create a cozy and chic interior with all the benefits of both eras.
It’s simple and affordable
Newstalgia is not only a unique and exciting interior design trend but also a practical and cost-effective way to spruce up your living space without undertaking the daunting task of a complete overhaul.
Whether you are looking at integrating older pieces with lots of character in with your current minimalist and modern décor or incorporating more modern elements into a more vintage-inspired space, this trend allows you to do so without overwhelming your existing style. With just a few added features, you can elevate your interior from monotonous minimalist to Newstalgia-chic.
It keeps up with sustainability
Newstalgia is the perfect design choice for promoting sustainable practices. One of the key sustainable factors of Newstalgia is its emphasis on repurposing and upcycling old items.
Instead of throwing away old furniture and vintage décor, they are creatively incorporated into the design of the space. This prevents the need for more production and consumption of resources and adds unique character to the space.
How to Balance New and Old Interior Design
If you’re looking to incorporate a touch of Newstalgia into your interior space, one key focus is achieving a balanced look between old and new pieces. To achieve this, consider using one style as a base and accenting it with elements from the other.
For example, you may anchor your living room with neutral modern furniture but accent the room using vintage lighting fixtures, mirrors, and artwork. “Aesthetically, vintage items that have patina and imperfections really pop against a fresh white wall or clean oak shelves,” explains senior designer Deanna Jacoby.
Neutral color palettes are essential in creating a cohesive Newstalgic design. You can achieve this by incorporating soft, neutral hues like beige, ivory, or grey, which serve as a natural canvas to showcase the unique blend of vintage and modern pieces.
One way to incorporate vintage charm is to use antique shapes with modern finishes. For instance, you might consider a traditional wingback chair upholstered in colorful contemporary fabrics. Another approach is to pair traditional antique staples with modern accessories, such as a vintage dining table with sleek acrylic chairs.
How to achieve Newstalgia in your home
While this trend heavily relies on personal taste, there are several things you can do to elevate your Newstalgic style and truly make it your own. Below we will explore how to achieve a Newstalgic look in your home with practical tips and examples to inspire your creative side.
Have fun with patterns and prints
Adding patterns and prints is an excellent way to revitalize your space and give it a more Newstalgic look. You can bring back classic prints on modern items, such as adding toile print on throw pillows or geometric shapes on lampshades. By introducing vintage patterns on contemporary pieces, you can create a unique and refreshing contrast that is both eye-catching and timeless.
Alternatively, you can reupholster an antique sofa with a more modern pattern that contrasts with the sofa’s vintage frame. This simple refresh can transform a tired and dull piece into a standout statement that anchors the entire room.
Another option is to use bold and graphic prints on accent pieces like chairs, drapes, and rugs. Florals, stripes, and animal prints are all popular choices for this trend, and they can light up your entire space giving it character and charm.
Emphasize texture
Texture can be a powerful tool in interior design, especially when creating a space with a Newstalgic feel. Adding varying textures to a room can help bring together different elements and create a cohesive yet eclectic modern and vintage style.
This trend encourages mixing older items and styles with newer, modern pieces, and texture is a critical element in making that work. Use multiple textures within the same neutral color palette to achieve this look. For example, a chic velvet sofa with a distressed leather chair or a shaggy wool rug paired with a sleek metal and glass coffee table can create interest, depth, and cohesiveness in a room.
Add artwork and wallpaper
Artwork and wallpaper can be a great way to bring a Newstalgic look to your home. Retro-inspired wallpaper can add an eye-catching accent wall that serves as a focal point of the room. This type of wallpaper is usually bold in color and pattern yet still neutral enough to work with other elements in the space.
Alternatively, you could create a gallery wall of interesting vintage artwork for an eclectic look. For this, select pieces that complement each other and tie together different design eras. To bring more modern elements into the room, try large contemporary art prints in antique frames or update old frames with sleek modern finishes.
“Vintage art is often stained, worn, or unframed; the trick here is to invest in a great clean, modern frame to marry old and new and give the piece new life.” interior designer Deanna Jacoby recommends. These additions will work to bridge traditional and contemporary designs and give you the flexibility to change up décor when desired without completely overhauling the entire space.
Accessorize
Accessorizing is a great way to blend old styles with new ones to achieve the Newstalgia look. Incorporating vintage rugs, antique accent furniture, and unique decorative objects can quickly bring an older style into a modern interior.
“The mid-century modern craze we’ve seen over the last few years will be tempered by the addition of more refined antiques cleverly thrown into the design mix.” says designer Joshua Smith. Adding these subtle touches allows you to create the perfect eclectic blend of old and new styles.
Repurpose furniture
With Newstalgia, repurposing furniture is an integral part of the design process. Rather than throwing away an old vintage piece, it can be given new life through creative re-imagination.
However, revamping an old piece of furniture can be daunting, especially if someone has never attempted something like this before. Do not be afraid to take on a fixer-upper; many beautiful antiques need only be re-stained and rehabbed before truly shining in your home.
One of the best things about repurposing furniture is that it provides an opportunity to showcase creativity. Have fun adding new hardware with modern finishes to antique dressers or painting a vintage nightstand in eye-popping contemporary colors. With a little imagination, anyone can repurpose old vintage and antique furniture to bring a touch of Newstalgia to their home.
Shop secondhand
If you’re considering embracing the Newstalgic style, you might find that shopping secondhand is an excellent way to finish your home’s look while saving money and helping the environment.
Start by visiting thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces, where you can find unique pieces that fit the Newstalgic aesthetic. “We are looking for upcycled, antique, or used furniture which has a story to tell,” explains design expert Ben White.
Shopping secondhand not only helps you find the best vintage and antique items, but it’s also an environmentally-friendly option. Buying used items reduces the number of new items that need to be manufactured, reducing the amount of waste produced. Additionally, it can reduce carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting new goods.
Kaiyo can help
If you’re looking to bring the Newstalgia trend into your home, Kaiyo is an excellent resource to begin curating your dream interior décor. From mid-century modern pieces to traditional antiques, Kaiyo has a vast selection of high-quality secondhand items at up to 90% off retail price.
By buying pre-owned furniture from Kaiyo, you’re helping reduce your carbon footprint by saving these hidden treasures from ending up in landfills. To help the environment further, we plant a tree with every purchase, so while you receive a unique piece for your home, mother earth does too.
