Retro Wall Colors

1950s

• The fashion in the 1950s was for sugary pinks and pale teal blues. Sweet ice-cream colors were popular as technology allowed brighter colors. Mid-century, modern patterns by wallpaper designers such as Lucienne Day were popular and make great wall-coverings today.

1960s

• The '60s were characterized by experimentation and exploration, and this can be seen in the choice of wall colors. People used brighter colors, including purples, blues, yellows and reds, that clashed and excited. The '60s style is similar to that of the '70s.

1970s

• Despite the psychedelic trends, 1970s wall colors tended toward earthy tones. Brown and rust were popular, along with beige and mossy green. For wallpaper, look for swirly patterns, or bold, simplified kaleidoscopic flowers in these colors to create a 1970s retro feel.

1980s

• In the '80s black and white became popular, often with red, or blue highlights. Graphic patterns in black and white were popular for wallpapers, often in stripes.