Spruce up Your Space With Heritage and Retro Wallpaper

What is Heritage Wallpaper?

Heritage wallpaper refers to wall coverings that draw inspiration from historical patterns, designs, and motifs. It can also replicate designs from specific eras, for example, ArtDeco and Victorian or borrow from culture-specific patterns, for example, Japanese culture-inspired wallpaper or Indigenous American design styles.

Heritage wallpaper can also go much deeper in history and represent the wallcoverings in Egyptian castles or it can stay more recent and copy wallpaper styles of the 70ties.

What is a modern heritage wallpaper?

Modern heritage wallpaper refers to wallpaper that is inspired by specific eras, cultural styles, or artistic movements in history but it is executed with modern elements, colors, and other additions. It is still possible to see the past influence but it doesn’t feel like it is taken straight out of a history book.

The Appeal of Vintage Aesthetics

There are so many beautiful interior design styles in the past. Some are more classical, some – more out there. Nevertheless, they have left their mark and they keep inspiring people long after the eras are over.

Chasing nostalgia

Designs from the past in some people evoke a sense of familiarity that makes them feel cozy and comfortable. It is especially true if for some reason a person feels close to a specific era. Maybe they fell in love with the mindset of that time period or they have a character or even relative they admire that comes from that point in time.

Unique charm and character

Vintage pieces have a story and that makes them unique. Even if you choose a retro wallpaper, it still carries a story of different times, different values, and even different people. All of this gives heritage wallpaper and heritage items a lot more character and uniqueness compared to contemporary objects.

Adjusting to the style of the house

A lot of people live in historical houses. And often a house feels more put together when the interior is chosen according to the era the house was built in. It doesn’t mean to use just vintage items, but it means to take into consideration what the original interior might have looked like and build on that.

Connection to historical and cultural heritage

Honoring one's roots is a noble act. Through researching your own history it is possible to find very interesting facts and even artefacts. Looking into vintage interior design can also bring you to vintage shops that carry a lot of life stories of real people. There is no better way to get in touch with history than holding objects they once held and learning stories about those items.

And of course, in a world where we come from different cultural backgrounds, it is always enriching to learn more about cultural heritage. Either your own or from the region you are currently living in.

Incorporating Heritage Wallpaper into Modern Interiors

Even when we like a specific look of an era, not always we want to go all in to decorating the whole house in that style. And that’s where knowledge about heritage and retro wallpaper and mixing vintage with modern comes in.

Mixing vintage and contemporary styles

When using both vintage and contemporary items – look for a similar color scheme. If the items fall into the same color family, they look coherent. If you don’t want the room to feel too vintage, consider applying the 80/20 rule where 80% of the interior decor is modern, but 20% – vintage. To avoid chaotic result, stick to one modern style and one vintage style.

Complementary furnishings and decor

Another option is to choose a modern option of the same vintage style. For example, there are new pieces that are inspired by ArtDeco. They are not exactly retro but they still have the same lines and forms and will perfectly go with some vintage decor pieces.

Creating feature walls and focal points

Heritage wallpaper is the perfect way how to bring the interior design together. Either by amplifying the historical house's look or using it as a background for the vintage and modern decor mix. A feature wall is also a perfect moment to use modern heritage wallpaper to have the feel of the era, but not be too overwhelmed with the historic vibe.

Heritage and Retro Wallpaper Ideas

If you are intrigued by the allure of vintage interior design vibes, we have compiled a list of modern heritage and retro wallpaper that will inspire you to new heights.

Damask wallpaper

Damask wallpaper was first popular in the Baroque era (17th–18th century). The damask pattern continued to be used during the 18th and 19th centuries and again gained huge popularity in the Victorian era in the 19th century.

Royal Victorian – This black and white wallpaper with the bold damask pattern has a strong sense of history in a modern rendition.

Digital Baroque – This damask wallpaper is perfect for a moody room interior. It is dark grey and black and has the luxurious feel of baroque with a touch of modernism.

Imperial Rococo – Damask pattern that is light and feels faded mimics perfectly the vintage vibe of a historical home. However, the color palette is quite contemporary which makes it a great match for modern accessories.

Grungy Baroque – Wallpaper for those who like a surprising look. It looks faded, it looks used, it looks authentic, and a little bit haunted. If that’s your vibe, it’s perfect!

Vintage Damask – Light blue and white damask pattern that leaves a room feeling airy but also luxurious.

Symmetric Birds – Damask married to ArtNoveau brings this interesting, history-inspired wallpaper that will refresh a vintage room.

Vintage inspired wallpaper

Vintage-inspired wallpaper patterns are great for refreshing a room. They are not specific to one era but rather represent a modern interpretation of a vintage print.

Sophisticated Elegance – This bold black and gold intense pattern is perfect for a vintage-inspired interior. It has a rich and intense pattern that will leave an impression.

Elegant Curves – The decorated, repetitive pattern goes perfectly with furniture wood carvings.

Sage Acorn X William Morris – Art Nouveau-inspired sage green and white wallpaper that is a great background and will accompany perfectly a historic house of that time.

Floral wallpaper

Floral motifs have been part of vintage wallpapers from the beginning of time. Flowers always have brought joy and brightened the day. No wonder, people loved to surround themselves with flowers, even if printed on wallpaper!

Art Nouveau – Historically accurate Art Nouveau wallpaper pattern will add some heritage vibes to a room but in a subtle and cute way.

Lapis Lazuli – This Georgian era inspired blue and beige wallpaper pattern leaves a calming but bold effect.

Contrast in Meadow – Modernized Edwardian-style floral wallpaper. It’s light green and pink making it an interesting accent.

Rustic Blooming – Vintage-inspired floral wallpaper with mustard-colored flower petals. It has a historic vibe but the execution is modern.

Pink Lily of the Valley – Wallpaper that is undoubtedly modern but still has captured the feel of an English Tudor house.

Petals and Wings – This wallpaper has a very romantic and breezy feel. It incorporates flower petals, birds, and branches.

Art Deco wallpaper

ArtDeco is a very distinguished interior design period that has brought us a lot of luxurious but simple designs. The color palette of black, gold, and rich precious stone colors is popular still today.

Give a Toast – Light brown and gold diamond shape patterns will look good with a modern interior as well as an ArtDeco-inspired one.

Blue Lodge – The fan pattern was especially popular in the 1920s. This teal and gold wallpaper brings it out very nicely.

Desirable Old World – Gold leaves in a diamond shape on a white background represent the ArtDeco era style in a way that works with contemporary design as well.

Gatsby’s Party – Gold fans on a black background have all the luxurious vibes of ArtDeco.

Regional and cultural design wallpaper

Heritage wallpaper can bring into the room not only vintage vibes but also cultural breezes. That said, some vintage wallpapers also have cultural motifs because people have always been fascinated by the new and unseen.

Flower Garden – This is Chinese dragon-inspired heritage wallpaper that is dark, bold, and a statement piece.

Japanese Floral – Bright colors and clean lines. This wallpaper represents Japanese art and has a very creative vibe.

Birds and Flowers – This wallpaper has a Japanese theme of flowers and cranes. The color palette is green and pink making it a colorful statement wall.

Wavy Patterns – The Chinese dragon makes an appearance in this black and gold pattern wallpaper.

Mandala Flowers – This wallpaper brings you to the Middle East and immerses you in the colorful patterns of Turkish streets.

In conclusion

There are many ways to bring a little bit of history and cultural vibes into interior design and heritage and retro wallpaper is one way how to do it. Explore the patterns, colors, and styles! Choose the wallpaper that suits your project the best and gives your room the perfect atmosphere.