2026 Commercial Trend: Retro Revival

ABOUT THE TREND

Retro Revival responds to a renewed nostalgic appreciation for timeless design. As consumers seek reassurance and familiarity in an uncertain world, the design narratives of past decades — particularly the 1970s, Art Deco and the 1990s — return in modern interpretations that feel warm, optimistic and creatively free.

This trend invites designers to reimagine vintage form through a contemporary lens — mixing modern and nostalgic materials, proportions and colour treatments. From playful mid-century curves to nostalgic craft details and high gloss finishes, Retro Revival blends the familiarity of the past with the innovation of the present. The aesthetic celebrates enduring design histories that offer a comforting counterpoint to digital overload through storytelling and heritage value.

With climate anxiety reshaping consumption habits, Retro Revival reflects a move toward slower, more responsible design narratives. Consumers are embracing vintage, upcycled and sustainably made pieces that balance emotional connection with conscious value. For designers, this means reworking the past to meet the future — mixing vintage with modern, reinterpreting silhouettes and embracing circular materials to create lasting, intentional interiors.

PROOF POINTS

Mentions of heritage and nostalgia continue to grow across social channels (+1.6ppt and +0.4ppt YoY), while global Google searches for “vintage décor” are up 27% YoY, reflecting renewed consumer appetite for nostalgia-led design.

In 2025, aggregated TikTok views for #retrodecor increased by 142% YoY. 

COLOUR AND STYLING CONSIDERATIONS

Eclectic nostalgia

Blend design cues from multiple eras, layering vintage silhouettes with modern materials and finishes. Combine bold outlines, geometric patterns and tactile textures for a contemporary but familiar feel.

Confident colour

Revive retro palettes with rich tones such as crimson, chocolate and cherry lacquer balanced by soft neutrals and pale metallics. Experiment with contrasting hues to create depth and interest.

Modern craft 

Reimagine traditional techniques and forms through a contemporary lens. Pair lacquered or glossy surfaces with wood, lean into patterned rugs and carpet tiles, and experiment with contrasting clean, crisp lines and curved edges to achieve a refined yet expressive aesthetic that bridges past and present.

Get the look

1. Tarkett iQ Surface Vivid Multi  
2. TimberTop Tenerife XL Rustic  
3. TimberTop Montserrat Lifestyle  
4. Tarkett Desso Patricia Urquiola AD03-2932  
5. Tarkett iQ Granit Pastel Blue
6. Traffic 250 Swan Walnut  
7. Regupol Ultimate Lagos 4mm
8. Shaw Contract Makerspace Tile Regina  
9. Tarkett iQ Granit Yellow
10. Tarkett Emme Berry  
11. Tarkett iQ Megalit Dark Sand