Retro-inspired interior design: how to choose paintings that take you back to the 50s and 60s
There's something liberating about the design language of the 50s and 60s: the optimism, the energy, and the play with color and shape. In today's home, retro-inspired wall art acts as a bridge between then and now – a chance to bring in a bit of vinyl feel, starburst aesthetics, and timeless elegance without turning your home into a museum. Here, we at Artiley share how to choose paintings that evoke the right era feeling, and how to integrate them into a modern interior.
Why 50s and 60s Wall Art Works Today
The mid-century era encompasses several artistic movements that do surprisingly well in contemporary homes. From 50s action painting and abstract expressionism to 60s pop art and graphic poster culture – much of this plays naturally with Scandinavian lines, woods and neutral bases. When styling clients’ living rooms, we’ve noticed that retro-inspired canvas prints act as a visual rhythm: they add pace, but can still maintain the calm balance that many people seek in their rooms.
Colors and materials that make a difference
Want to create a 50s/60s feel without tearing up your entire interior? Start with the palette. The era is dominated by tones such as mustard yellow, petrol blue, olive green, terracotta, cherry red and black/white. Combine this with woods such as teak or walnut and metals such as brass. In practice, this means that a neutral sofa and a teak sideboard can be given the right zeitgeist with an abstract painting, a couple of petrol cushions and a brass table lamp.
A retro choice from Artiley
An artwork that elegantly ties in with 1950s abstract expressionism is Whispering Whirls . With its swirling beige, brown and white hues, it flirts with the action painting tradition and energizes the room without taking over. We have used it in several styling contexts where the client wanted to bring a retro feel to a modern base – the result is warm, sophisticated and period.
Place the painting above a teak or walnut sideboard and complement it with a sleek brass table lamp. If you already have a calm, Scandinavian base – light walls, natural materials and clean lines – this is a way to add the nerve of the era without compromising on minimalism.
Size, placement and lighting
We usually recommend that the width of the painting is around two-thirds of the furniture it is hanging over. For a normal living room, 70x100 cm often works great; larger rooms can handle 100x140 cm. Hang the center of the painting about 145–150 cm above the floor for a harmonious focal point. In a hallway, a vertical orientation works well above a narrow bench, while a horizontal painting fits nicely in the dining room.
The lighting determines how the retro feel is experienced. A warm light color (around 2700K) brings to mind the warmth of incandescent bulbs from the era. Avoid too harsh light directed directly at the canvas; instead, let a discreet track or two wall lamps wash the surface softly. Matte canvas fabric reduces reflections and brings the structure to life, something we see again and again in our showrooms.
How to integrate retro into a modern home
Retro inspiration doesn't have to mean a complete renovation. Start from the room you already have and let the painting become a character marker that dialogues with your furniture and textiles. Choose two accent colors from the painting and repeat them in pillows, throws or a rug. Combine graphic patterns (think 60s) with something organic (think 50s) for balance. If you want to deepen the minimalism at the same time, please read our guide Scandinavian style: Create a minimalist oasis with canvas paintings - there we show you how to maintain calm even when color and shape are given more leeway.
Three quick pro tips
- Start small: A larger painting and two textile details can be enough to create a 60s vibe.
- Dare walnut: A floating frame in walnut around an abstract canvas gives an immediate mid-century feel.
- Mix eras: A modern sofa, teak furniture and a retro-inspired painting feel contemporary – not nostalgically frozen.
Choice of motifs for different rooms
In the living room, you often want a painting that can visually carry the room – abstract paintings with clear movement work great. In the kitchen or dining area, a smaller, lively splash of color can add dynamism to your morning coffee. In the hallway, a narrow, tall painting creates a welcoming vertical line that is reminiscent of your classic posters and travel posters from the 60s.
Retro-inspired wall art is fundamentally about capturing the courage and playfulness of the era – without losing the harmony of the present. With the right canvas, well-balanced colors and thoughtful lighting, the result is both timeless and personal.