Client Challenge
JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Please enable JavaScript to proceed.
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser
extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your
connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser. More
Client Challenge
JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Please enable JavaScript to proceed.
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser
extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your
connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser. More
Client Challenge
JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Please enable JavaScript to proceed.
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser
extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your
connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser. More
Client Challenge
JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Please enable JavaScript to proceed.
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser
extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your
connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser. More
Client Challenge
JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Please enable JavaScript to proceed.
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser
extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your
connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser. More
1Electric Ice Boxes Daily Herald Archive//Getty ImagesElectric ice boxes made their debut in the early 1950s, making home life a lot easier for those who cooked. 2Neutral Color Combos FOTOGRAFIA INC.//Getty ImagesThe kitchens of the 1980s typically featured neutral colors, such as beige and cream, as shown here. And many featured track lighting. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below3ChromeGeorge Marks//Getty ImagesKitchens of the late 1950s and early 1960s featured sleek, chrome designs, such as this built-in refrigerator. 4Wood Panelling laartist//Getty ImagesThe wood paneling of the ’60s and ’70s even made its way into kitchens, along with bringing colors and wallpaper patterns to accent the dark woods. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below5Advent of New Appliances Shanina//Getty ImagesThe 1950s and 1960s brought the invention of many common household appliances, making cooking easier and more convenient. 6Open Concept Kitchens O2O CREATIVE//Getty ImagesOpen-concept kitchens gained popularity in the 1980s, creating more space for dining, entertaining, and cooking. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Dishwashers George Marks//Getty ImagesIn the 1950s, dishwashers were still a luxury item. But by the 1970s, almost everyone had one in their kitchen. 8Crowded and CozyVladGans//Getty ImagesThe 80s were a cozy time with bustling kitchens that made use of every inch of space. Patterned fabric, tiled countertops, and pastel blues rounded out the look. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below9Hub of the Home FPG//Getty ImagesIn the 1950s, the kitchen was the hub of the home. Moms cooked, while the children did homework or played at the kitchen table. 10 Built-In Appliances H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty ImagesThe 1960s saw the advent of built-in appliances, which saved space in small kitchens. This kitchen features an over-the-range oven, which was quite popular for the time.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below11Double Basin SinksCamerique//Getty ImagesHomemakers made use of double-basin sinks in the 1960s. Along with better drainage, they helped homemakers with double-tasking. One side of the sink could be used for washing, and the other for prepping food. 12Window Treatments. Hulton Archive//Getty ImagesWindow treatments were popular during the turn of the century, even in the kitchen. The 1950s favored cafe curtains, featuring scalloped and intricate designs. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below13Orange Hues FPG//Getty ImagesOrange became a popular color in the 1960s, representing the counterculture and a return to nature. 14Checkered Flooring Heritage Images//Getty ImagesThe kitchens of the 1960s were often checkerboarded in sturdy linoleum or tile. But they didn’t keep the black and white of the previous decade, and instead preferred more vivid colors like the green shown here. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below15Pastels and PinksFrederic Lewis//Getty ImagesPink was popular in the 1950s kitchen, but the trend made a big comeback in the 1970s. This pastel and pink kitchen exemplifies the vibrant colors that were popular during that era. 16Kitchen Islands Frederic Lewis//Getty ImagesKitchen islands made their debut in the 1980s, becoming an integral part of the open-plan concept that many homeowners gravitated towards. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below17Minimalist Stove Universal History Archive//Getty ImagesThe stove pictured here is a classic model from the era, characterized by its simple design and knobs for controlling heat. This style emphasizes functionality over ornamental features.18Microwaves Tom Kelley Archive//Getty ImagesThe first microwave was introduced in 1967 for over $400. Today, you can get one for under $100. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below19Mid Century ModernArchive Photos//Getty ImagesMid-century modern kitchens of the 1950s and 1960s featured clean, minimalist lines with a few unexpected touches, such as the scalloped trim here. 20Dinette Sets H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty ImagesDinette sets served a dual purpose in the 1950s, as both a workspace and a dining area. This was especially helpful in smaller kitchens. Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles-based freelancer with over 15 years of experience writing for online publications. Her work can be seen in Good Housekeeping and Woman’s Day, where she covers everything from gift guides to personal essays. She holds a B.A. in English from Chapman University and is working toward her Early Childhood Education teaching credentials. She is proud to be of Native American (Ohkay Owingeh) and Mexican American descent.Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowReaders Also ReadAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More
It’s officially sweater weather, but I still find myself procrastinating a seasonal closet swap. I always dread having to pull out my bulky items from storage and sort through every item. Somehow, the results is always clothes scattered around my bedroom. Before I tackled the project this year, I decided to ask professional organizers for their help—and, the process didn’t feel as chaotic or overwhelming. As someone who lives in a small, one-bedroom apartment, I have to be super intentional about every inch of space. “I won’t lie or pretend there is a way to complete a closet swap in a short period of time, but there are ways we can make it less intimidating,” says Shaniece Jones, professional organizer. From mental preparation to following Jones’ step-by-step instructions, I was able to tackle this seasonal project without nearly as much stress.Before You Begin:Don’t stress about doing it all in one sitting. I sighed the biggest relief when I heard this from organizers: It doesn’t have to get done in one day. Break the projects into sections to avoid getting overwhelmed. Pro organizer Laura Cattano says to work category by category—shoes first, then clothes and accessories. “Taking your time gives you the mental space to evaluate what you have and arrange clothes in a way that makes getting dressed easier—which is the whole point.”You can also break down the process by tasks: “One day might just be rearranging; another might be folding and storing,” says Jones. I decided to start with hanging clothes—one day dedicated to pulling out spring and summer clothes for storage, then another for bringing in fall and winter items. Start when you’re feeling energized.Start your swap at a time of day when your energy is highest—for me, that was a Saturday morning after walking my dog and drinking a coffee. “Set yourself up for success with a good playlist and light a candle,” says Jones. “If you get overstimulated by sound, skip lyrical music and opt for binaural beats to stay calm and focused.” Alyssa GautieriI already transferred my fall items to hangers. Have a plan. I typically dread the process, because of how fast it can turn chaotic. Before I started pulling items from hangers and creating piles all over, I made a plan. “Map out your closet first,” Jones says. “Ask yourself, where will bulkier coats and knits live? Where will scarves and gloves go? Having a visual plan prevents burnout halfway through. Keep your go-to everyday or core winter pieces in the most accessible place. Keep less frequent or formal items in spaces you don’t need easy access to.” How to Switch Your WardrobeAfter I made a plan and set myself up for a positive mindset, I felt ready to tackle this seasonal project. Keep in mind: I dedicated a separate day a few days prior to pulling out spring and summer clothes from the closet. Jones’ step-by-step approach helped keep me on track. Set a timer for 1-2 hours. Give yourself a clear goal and dedicate uninterrupted time to achieving it. I took quick breaks for water (and coffee) to keep my mind clear. Pull out your fall and winter pieces from storage. Brings bags or boxes into the bedroom and take stock of what you have. I set aside scarfs, gloves, boots, and winter jackets to tackle another day. I pulled all clothing out of boxes and bins, and laid them on my bed. Edit as you go. This is the time-consuming portion—but it’s worth it. Try on every article of clothing before it earns a place in your closet. Anything that doesn’t fit you or your current style should go into a donate pile. “The best advice is to have a well-edited wardrobe,” agrees Cattano. “When you have pieces you love and are excited to wear, it makes the switch a fun activity rather than a harrowing chore.”Transfer clothing to matching hangers or fold neatly. I organized my donation items into tote bags, and brought the bag out of the bedroom. From there, I was left with everything I wanted to keep. Hint: I swear by velvet hangers. Re-arrange as needed. Fall and winter items are bulky, so I can’t fit as many items in my small closet as I’d hope. Adjust your closet as needed, tucking items you don’t wear often toward the back and adding folded items to shelf to maximize vertical space.Alyssa GautieriMy organized closet after following expert advice.How to Store Off-Season ClothingStore your off-season items (shorts, sandals, linen tops, sundresses) into empty bins and baskets. Make sure everything is clean—”check the pockets and clean launder everything before putting it away” to keep away moths and pests, says Cattano. Breathable canvas boxes or zippered hanging bags are ideal to avoid mold. Fold everything neatly and label bins to avoid trouble during the next closet swap. More on Closet OrganizationAlyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries. More
If you need inspiration for your home makeover, head to grandma’s house! With retro design trends coming back, decorators say it’s time to lean into things like bold wallpaper choices and vintage glassware. These trends from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and even the 90s will make your home feel cozy and personal, just like your grandparents’ house did. Designers recommend looking at antique shops and thrift stores to find vintage-inspired pieces for your home. Of course, if you can go through Grandma’s attic and borrow some of her vintage linens and old-school artwork, even better! Here are retro design trends that designers say are making a comeback. Wood Tones Eric Lucero PhotographyOak dining tables, stained bookcases and even rustic wooden picture frames are becoming more and more popular — and the trend isn’t difficult to implement, thanks to the rise of antique shopping.”With its inherent warmth and texture, wood adds depth and character to any space,” says Cullen. “We are seeing wood incorporated in distinctly ‘retro’ ways, such as reeded finishes, like this fireplace front.” Patterned Wallpaper Jacqueline MarqueWhile there was certainly a period of time where all-white-everything had completely taken over, we’re happy to officially announce that patterned wallpaper is back. “Clients are requesting wallpaper in more rooms than ever before, in brighter and bolder patterns,” says Debbie Mathews, founder and principal designer of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs. “It has become almost commonplace now to wallpaper ceilings, which is something I was not doing 10 years ago!” Vintage Linens and GlasswareGrandma always seems to have the loveliest linens and most beautiful glassware. Each piece comes with a story — and that’s what people seem to be after these days. “I always love sifting through vintage dishes, china, linens and glassware as they can create the most interesting tablescapes,” says Mathews. “Coupe glasses are now back in vogue and are perfect for serving cocktails or dessert.”Whether placed on a bar cart for decoration or on the dining table for hosting, vintage linens and glassware enhance a home’s personality. Plus, there are tons of unique finds in thrift stores or even on Facebook Marketplace. Decorative MoldingErin KestenbaumHomeowners are becoming more and more interested in living spaces that are architecturally exciting. The solution? Wainscoting. According to Cheryl Clendenon of In Detail Interiors, decorative molding is on the rise due to its “ability to add structure and sophistication” to a home. While it may seem like a structural change that requires professional work, adding wainscoting or decorative molding can actually be a fun DIY project with the right materials. Gallery Walls With Old-School ArtEric Lucero PhotographyIt takes patience, but building a gallery wall with art that matches your own interior design style and carries a history is a trend worth trying out. “Gallery walls featuring vintage or ‘old-school’ art are an easy way to mix the past with the present,” says Clendenon. “We are seeing a lot of this but done with a modern and unexpected twist, like color-dipped portraits for example.”Bold Colors Gone are the days of all-white kitchens and minimal wall decor. Grandma’s house has much more character than that, right? Vibrant wallpaper, colorful curtains and bold appliances are making a comeback in today’s home design, according to Cullen. Recently, designers have even been noticing surprising color-specific interior design trends, including an increase in pink retro kitchens and purple living spaces.Antique MirrorsMedina Interiors / Sarah Baker PhotographyJust because there are a few retro trends that have been revived recently doesn’t mean the whole house needs to be full of them — adding an antique mirror is one way to infuse a bit of the past into an otherwise modern home for added visual interest. As an antique dealer and designer, Mathews loves when her clients request ornate, vintage mirrors.”In my mind, successful design is all about contrast and the mixing of old and new,” says Mathews. “Retro styles resurface because we draw inspiration from previous eras, reimagining them to suit contemporary tastes and needs, bridging the past with the future,” says Mathews. Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates. Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter. More
