“What’s old is new again” has never rung more true. From rollicking ruffles to bold, over-the-top patterns, many once-loved design elements from the 1980s and ’90s eventually fell out of fashion, but as design moves firmly away from the boring, builder-grade spaces that plagued the 2000s, we’re seeing renewed interest in all things personality.
Below, I’m breaking down five vintage styles designers are turning to again and again in 2026, and sharing tips on how you can incorporate them in your own home.
Café curtains
News flash: We’re in the midst of a café curtain renaissance.
Over the last five years, café curtains have exploded in popularity. From breezy linens to heavily patterned fabrics, designers and homeowners alike are flocking to this once-derided window treatment.
First popular in the 1950s, these half-curtains experienced a rise in popularity in the 1990s as rustic country style peaked in popularity. These days, thanks to brands like Gotain and East London Cloth, café curtains have never looked chicer.
Bold wallpaper
Wallpaper has fallen in and out of fashion over the last few decades, but we think it’s finally here to stay, especially loud, maximalist styles (think House of Hackney and Divine Savages), which have enjoyed sustained popularity since the late 2010s.
Earlier this year, interiors brand OKA launched their first wallpaper range, while artisanal offerings from the likes of Tess Newall, Imogen Heath and Bloomfield Ink make a tasteful statement while supporting homegrown, handmade talent.
Chintz
Nothing quite says “designed in the ’80s” like chintz, but that’s exactly why we love it. Renewed interest in all things chintz comes at a time when pattern-heavy cottage interiors and storied homes have never been more popular.
Design greats like Mario Buatta – known as the “Prince of Chintz”– once used the frenetic floral with abandon. These days, upholstery is the primary vehicle for chintz as sofas and club chairs offer a more digestible place to play with pattern.
Skirted beds, sofas and sinks
Designers are skirting everything these days – beds, sofas, sinks – and it’s bringing back a playfulness we’ve been longing for. Bed skirts were especially popular in the late ’80s and ’90s but fell out of fashion as homeowners opted for sleeker sleep spaces.
The return of skirted surfaces is a large part of the whimsical design movement we’ve been tracking since the start of this year. If you’re looking to embrace a bit more playfulness in your interiors, opt for performance fabrics in hardworking spaces like the kitchen and laundry room, but feel free to go full frills in the living room and bedroom.
Doilies
Yes, you read that right: Doilies are back (and lace homeware in general). According to Pinterest, searches for “lace doily” are up 105% in 2026, signalling a resurgence of all things twee. “Gen Z and Millennials are gently reminding us that more is more, especially when it’s this pretty,” says Pinterest’s trend report.
If you want to incorporate more of this grandma-approved handicraft in your home, look for unconventional ways to display them – think framed on the wall or repurposed into a decorative pillow.
Colourful homeware edit
Pansy Quilted Bedspread, Multi
Next Cath Kidston Cream/Blue Floral Quilted Storage
M&S Pure Cotton Floral Embroidered Cushion
Velvet Cushion, Rectangle, Butter Yellow
Catherine Lansfield Epping Textured Stripe Reversible Polycotton Duvet Cover Pillowcase Set
H&M Large stoneware serving plate
Scalloped Mint Green Vase
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
