For someone who has floundered for years without a distinct label for my preferred home decor, discovering the trending Grandmillennial style was nothing short of liberating. There’s something so satisfying about discovering something that completely encapsulates everything you adore, into one neat little category. I was beginning to think I had no definitive style, until I discovered that with Grandmillennial, you can have it all. You can have the eclectic, the vintage, the classic, the clean-cut – and it’s all rolled into one! And I’m here to show you how you can easily and CHEAPLY incorporate this delicious style into your home.
Why Have A Style? 8 Important Reasons
Why is it important for a well decorated home to pertain to a particular style? Having a home decor style is not absolutely crucial for a delightful-looking home, but if you want consistency from room to room and for it to tie together nicely, then knowing the style you love is key.
Here are 8 reasons to know your home decor style:
1. Personal Expression
Your home decor style is a reflection of your personality, interests, and preferences. It’s a way to express yourself and showcase your individuality to others who visit your home. It’s a way for your guests to get to know you a bit better.
2. Comfort and Functionality
A well-defined home decor style helps create a space that is comfortable and functional for you and your family. The fact you are sticking to a style shows you are taking a more considered approach to your home decor, which often results in a better-thought out space.
3. Visual Cohesion
A cohesive decor style ties together the various elements of your home, creating a visually harmonious environment. This makes your space feel more put-together and inviting.
4. Sense of Belonging
Surrounding yourself with your favourite decor style can evoke feelings of comfort, security, and belonging. It creates a space where you feel at ease and connected to your surroundings.
5. Inspiration and Creativity
Your home decor style can serve as a source of inspiration and creativity. Sometimes the confines of the do’s and don’ts inspire more creativity, rather than having complete free reign (the enormity of which can be paralyzing).
6. Enhanced Mood and Well-being
A thoughtfully curated decor style can have a positive impact on your mood and overall well-being. Coming home to a space that reflects your style and makes you feel happy can boost your spirits and reduce stress.
7. Impression on Guests
Your home decor style sets the tone for how guests perceive your home and your personality. It leaves a lasting impression and can make visitors feel welcome and comfortable in your space.
8. Increased Resale Value
Homes with a cohesive decor style tend to have higher resale value as they are more visually appealing to potential buyers. A well-designed space can attract more interest and command a higher price in the real estate market.
What Is Grandmillennial Style? 10 Key Features
Grandmillennial style, also known as granny chic or grandma chic, is a design trend that combines traditional, vintage elements with modern sensibilities. Grandmillenialists have a nostalgic appreciation for classic decor, often drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of past decades, particularly those of the late 19th and early to mid-20th centuries. Here are some key features of grandmillennial style:
1. Traditional Patterns
Grandmillennial style embraces traditional patterns such as chintz, toile, florals, and ginghams. These patterns are often used on upholstery, curtains, wallpaper, and accent pieces.
2. Antique and Vintage Furniture
The use of antique and vintage furniture pieces brings old-world charm into the space through. This could include ornate wooden tables, upholstered chairs with intricate patterns, vintage dressers, and clawfoot tubs.
3. Rich Textiles
Luxurious fabrics like velvet, silk, chenille, and brocade are commonly used in grandmillennial decor. These textiles add depth and texture to the space, often in the form of draperies, throw pillows, and upholstery.
4. Decorative Trims and Tassels
Fringe, tassels, and other decorative trims are used abundantly in grandmillennial style to add flair to curtains, lampshades, pillows, and upholstery.
5. Eclectic Accessories
Grandmillennial spaces are filled with an eclectic mix of accessories, including antique knick-knacks, porcelain figurines, brass candlesticks, vintage books, and quirky artwork.
6. Bold Colors
While grandmillennial style often incorporates a soft, pastel color palette reminiscent of vintage interiors, it also embraces bold colors like emerald green, navy blue, and rich jewel tones for an eclectic, modern twist.
7. Mix of Old and New
A hallmark of grandmillennial style is the seamless integration of antique and vintage pieces with contemporary elements. This creates a layered, lived-in look that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
8. Traditional Decorative Details
Ornate details such as molding, trimwork, wainscoting, and intricate wallpaper patterns are common in grandmillennial interiors, adding architectural interest and depth to the space.
9. Floral and Botanical Motifs
Grandmillennial decor often features floral and botanical motifs in wallpapers, fabrics, and artwork, bringing the beauty of nature indoors.
10. Cozy and Inviting Atmosphere
Above all, grandmillennial style aims to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that feels like home. It’s about mixing comfort with elegance and creating spaces that are meant to be lived in and enjoyed.
10 Cheap ways to Incorporate Grandmillennial Style into Your Home
Grandmillennial style looks expensive, but it is possible to incorporate it into your home decor without breaking the bank. This deliciously eclectic style can be achieved on a budget with some creativity and strategic shopping. Here are some tips to give your home that grandmillennial flair on the cheap!
1. Thrift and Antique Shops
For the big ticket items, hunt for unique pieces at thrift stores, flea markets, and antique shops. The big furniture items tend to become the focal point of any room, so finding a grandmillennial piece on the cheap is going to be a cost effective way to get this style into your home. Grandmillennial furniture is usually vintage, so look for ornate wooden tables, upholstered chairs with intricate patterns, and decorative mirrors.
2. DIY Projects
Add that grandmillennial touch by repainting old furniture in vibrant colors or add decorative trims and tassels to curtains, lampshades, and pillows. Doing it yourself is a great way to save money, as new grandmillennial pieces can be incredibly expensive!
3. Mix Old with New
The beauty of grandmillennial style is that it isn’t just about celebrating the old. Don’t be afraid to mix antique or vintage items with modern pieces. Pair a traditional floral rug with sleek, contemporary furniture, or display family heirlooms alongside minimalist decor for an eclectic look. Pairing old with sleeker, newer pieces keeps your space from looking too over-the-top.
4. Focus on Textiles
Incorporate rich and luxurious textiles such as velvet, silk, and chenille into your decor. Look for vintage-inspired fabrics with bold floral or geometric patterns for upholstery, curtains, and throw pillows. Using these textiles on accent pieces won’t cost very much, but it still gives the grandmillennial touch to your home.
5. Gallery Walls
A gallery wall is so vintage, and an inexpensive way to go grandmillennial. Create one yourself with a mix of vintage paintings, family photos, and quirky artwork. You can find inexpensive frames at thrift stores or discount retailers and arrange them in a cohesive manner for a personalized touch.
6. Accessorize with Antiques
Decorate your space with antique knick-knacks such as porcelain figurines, brass candlesticks, and vintage tea sets. These small items can add charm and character to your home without breaking the bank.
7. Statement Lighting
Invest in unique lighting fixtures to make a statement in your home. Look for chandeliers, sconces, or table lamps with ornate details or vintage-inspired designs to add a touch of grandeur to any room.
8. Embrace Traditional Patterns
Incorporate traditional patterns such as chintz, toile, and damask into your decor through upholstery, wallpaper, or accent pillows. These classic patterns add a timeless elegance to your home.
9. Repurpose Vintage Finds
Get creative with repurposing vintage finds into functional decor pieces. Turn an old ladder into a rustic bookshelf, transform vintage crates into storage solutions, or repurpose antique jars and containers as decorative accents.
10. Wallpaper Feature Wall
Patterned wallpaper is such a hallmark of grandmillennial style, but it’s expensive to paper every wall! A way to save costs on this is to paper only one wall, making it a feature, or only the top half of the room (making the lower half painted paneling). You can save money this way, plus the different colours and textures of the paint and wallpaper together only enhance the grandmillennial look.
By incorporating these budget-friendly tips and tricks, you can give your home a grandmillennial style that is both stylish and affordable.