10 Vintage Decorating Ideas We Were Wrong to Abandon

Striking wallpaper designs, from elegant fleur-de-lis to bold Bermuda prints, were a hallmark of American homes from the 1950s through the 1980s. Today’s homeowners might want to consider hauling the retro-era wall covering out of history’s closet as a way of adding inexpensive charm to the home—without a paintbrush.

Related: 12 Photos That Prove Wallpaper Still Wows

A relic of Americana, cafe curtains—window treatments that cover just the bottom half of a bank of windows—are perhaps best remembered as a staple of breakfast nooks and old roadside restaurants. These half-size drapes still deserve a place in kitchens as well as in any other room where privacy is important but light and a view of the outdoors are must-haves.

Related: Lose the Drapes: 12 Better Ways to Dress a Window

While a pastel-hued refrigerator in the kitchen would be seen as revolutionary today, it would have been considered a statement-making piece in the 1950s, when colorful appliances were on trend. The next time one of your appliances goes kaput, consider straying from the traditional white, black, or stainless steel finish and opting instead for an unexpected color.

Related: 9 Signs You Need to Replace Your Fridge

The wrought-iron bed frames that were a staple in the first half of the 20th century have largely been replaced by lightweight, streamlined alternatives made of wood or other materials. Nevertheless, wrought iron’s appeal may grow as more homeowners outfit their homes with nostalgic decor and again favor long-lasting, durable furniture over the trend du jour. 

Related: Sweet Dreams: 15 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself

The Murphy bed, which folds into the wall for storage and drops down when it’s time for bed, saw its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s but fell out of favor as returning World War II vets and their families moved in droves to single-family homes in the suburbs. Now that more home buyers are gravitating toward smaller spaces, the need for the mighty Murphy bed may be greater now than ever before.

Related: 9 Inventive Ways to Build an Extra Bed

Patrons of diners and ice cream parlors of old were well acquainted with checkerboard floors, which were in keeping with the flair for the bold design that characterized the 1950s and 1960s. Today, advancements in flooring materials make ceramic or linoleum tiles—both checkerboard naturals—smart options for the home. And the pattern is also surprisingly versatile: Paired with on-trend white cabinets, checkerboard floors look much more subdued than they did in previous generations.

Related: 9 Sneaky Ways to Get New Floors for Under $50

Not your ordinary cupboard, wooden Hoosier cabinets, popular between 1890 and 1950, boasted an impressive array of storage solutions in one piece, from lazy Susans and bread drawers to pull-out work surfaces. Their myriad compartments and sturdy craftsmanship would make them a hit with anyone in search of style and extra storage for the kitchen or dining room.

Related: 9 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look and Feel Bigger

Tufted sofas once lent an element of luxury to retro-era living rooms and conversation pits. While they’ve been traded in for sleeker, more streamlined silhouettes, the renewed popularity of tufted headboards is a sign that these intricately tailored pieces are destined to return to living rooms and dens.

Related: Editors’ Picks: 10 Favorite Sofas Under $1,000

A sink skirt used to be secured beneath the base of a pedestal sink to hide the plumbing, but with the proliferation of the vanity and new, streamlined pedestal options, skirts fell out of fashion. Still, modern homeowners looking to bring a cozy touch to the bathroom would do well to incorporate an eye-catching skirt in an appropriate fabric, color, or pattern.

Related: The Best Way to Update a Bathroom for Under $20

Families gathered around the table for dinner during the 1970s often enjoyed homemade meals and lively conversation beneath pendant lights covered by burlap shades. Although this rustic lighting option has since been swapped out for industrial-style fixtures, burlap is making a comeback in farmhouse-style interiors as a shade for lamps, bullet lights, and sconces.

Related: 8 Things You Never See on the Dining Table Anymore

While some trends we definitely wish would make a comeback, others not so much. From popcorn ceilings to carpet in the bathroom, we’re not sure what we were thinking back in the day. If you’re in the midst of a renovation right now, think carefully about what design trends you won’t mind living with for years to come.