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“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 direct-to-consumer curtain brands like Pepper Home and Everhem, café curtains have never looked chicer.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Café Curtains
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, which have enjoyed sustained popularity since the late 2010s. Wallpaper has also never been more accessible thanks to the explosion of the DIY economy. Just this summer, fabric and wallpaper giant Spoonflower introduced a traditional nonwoven style wallpaper to meet the growing demand from home decorators looking to personalize their spaces with designer-approved looks that won’t blow the budget.
RELATED: Maximalism Is Officially Back—Here’s How to Do It Well
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 British 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.
RELATED: The Cozy British Living Room Formula Everyone Is Copying Right Now
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 I’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.
RELATED: Whimsical Design Is the Biggest Trend of 2026
Doilies
Yes, you read that right: Doilies are back. I reported on the rise of lace and doilies earlier this year—you can read the full trend report here. According to Pinterest, searches for “lace doily” are up 105 percent in 2026, signaling 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.
