Cocoa, terracotta and plum: The best retro colours making a comeback

There’s something comforting about the colours of our past. From the warm and spicy shades of the seventies to monochrome tones of the noughties, these nostalgic shades hold fond memories, emotions, and attitudes.

With nostalgia making waves across fashion, film, and home interiors, the rise of retro colour palettes is opening up a whole new world of design inspiration for our homes. 

But whilst there are tonnes of different time periods to take inspiration from, how do we bring vintage colours into our bedrooms without slipping into being outdated or drab?  

As we’re in the midst of a retro revival, understanding how to strike the balance between vintage and cool is essential. In this article, we’ll run you through our colour swatches of the five best retro shades to consider for your next bedroom makeover – and how to give them a contemporary update.  

Ready to step back in time? Let’s go retro…

The secret to reviving retro colours lies in how you use them. So, before you go opening that tin of paint, it’s important to plan out exactly how you’re going to execute this look. To breathe new life into these nostalgic shades, you want to counter them with modern design methods.

For instance, contrasting sleek lines and contemporary shapes, experimenting with new and interesting accent colours, and introducing fresh textures. When styled with a modern twist, you can make these much-loved hues feel brand new.

Feeling a little hue-less? Here are our five favourite retro colours to upgrade your bedroom…

1. Cocoa comfort: Dark, warm browns

Beige has long been a favourite bedroom colour palette. But what happens when we warm things up? By experimenting with darker brown shades, you can wrap your bedroom up in a deliciously cosy blanket of cocoa comfort. These earthy tones are all about embracing the moody, sultry ambience of the 1970s – offering a fresh twist on the groovy seventies aesthetic that we all know and love. Dark brown is complex, indulgent, and mouthwateringly decadent.

We saw a glimpse of this new trend with the launch of Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2025: Mocha Mousse…

Get the look: To dig into this trend, we’d suggest keeping your entire colour palette to earthy tonal colours like tan browns, oranges, and leafy greens. These shades complement a cocoa backdrop beautifully, creating a cohesive organic look inspired by Mother Nature. Lean into this vibe by styling your space with wooden furniture, natural materials, and an abundance of houseplants! Oh, and a couple of grounding incense sticks wouldn’t go amiss…

Recommended bed: Hayden Platform Ottoman Bed Frame.

2. Endless Italian summer: Rich terracotta

Good news, sun worshippers: 1950s Italian summers are back. Just take a look at The White Lotus Series 2, which was set in sun-drenched Sicily, or the fact that capri pants are back in fashion (yep!), if you need any proof of the nostalgic Italian renaissance. One way to enjoy “La Dolce Vita” lifestyle all year round is by painting your walls in a rich, terracotta hue. This shade is sunkissed, romantic and transports us straight to the Amalfi Coast. Aperol Spritz anyone?  

Get the look: To design a terracotta bedroom that feels like a postcard from Italy’s golden era, we’d suggest painting your walls with a limewash finish. This chalky, textured effect gives off a more authentic, rustic feel to the warm hue. Match this aesthetic with vintage furniture, such as an ornate headboard (check out our beautifully curved Sleepeezee Maple Headboard), and pair it with simple, linen or muslin sheets. Accessorise with ambient lighting, plenty of brass or gold accents, ceramic vases, and artwork with as much drama as you’d expect to see in an Italian opera encore!  

Recommended bed: Sleepeezee Maple Headboard in velveteen midnight.

3. Velvet vintage: deep plums and aubergine

One for the drama queens, now. Deep purple shades featuring blue undertones, such as plum and aubergine, are making a bold comeback – particularly when used for textiles. One texture that goes hand-in-hand with deep plum is velvet. Reminiscent of the 1920s Art Deco era, these colours and textures are amazing for adding rich opulence to your bedroom. Perfect if you’re partial to theatrics. Aaaaand… scene.   

Get the look: To embrace this Gatsby-inspired look, try colour-drenching the walls in your chosen dark purple shade. This means painting your walls, skirting boards, radiators, even the ceiling and floors, for a dramatic, moody ambience. Go for a dark navy velvet bed and bring in plenty of metallic gold accents for added luxury. Dress your bed with crisp white sheets for a bold contrast and layer on blankets and cushions in muted purple shades to tie the colour scheme together. The result is a glamorous boudoir fit for Daisy Buchanan herself.

Recommended bed: Jay Velvet-Finish Ottoman Bed Frame. 

4. ‘80s pop punk pastels: Bubblegum and mint green

For those craving a dose of nostalgic dopamine, bright bubblegum pink and mint green make for the ultimate flashback to the loud and proud ‘80s era. This electric duo just screams maximalism – though we’d suggest opting for a slightly softened version of these pastels to bring them into the 21st century. Rest assured, even the muted tones still pack a serious punch. You’ve been warned…

Get the look: To bring this look to life, use these colours in small doses, such as on accent walls or a cheeky bit of colour-blocking. Or, get DIY-handy with some clever wall panelling, and paint the bottom-half pink, the top-half mint green for maximum retro charm. Keep things fresh with some light fabrics or white-painted furniture, then layer in some playful patterns such as stripes, checkerboards or gingham. Bonus points if you add a lava lamp or bean bag to really channel that iconic eighties vibe. 

Recommended bed: Margot Ottoman Bouclé Bed Frame in Pink. 

5. Denim forever: Dusty baby blues

Dusty blue was a staple of the early 2000s, with coastal trends and the modern farmhouse aesthetic flooding every Pinterest board. But it’s a shade that keeps reinventing itself. Just like your fave pair of denim jeans, dusty blue will never go out of style, if you ask us. Its cool tones are instantly calming, making it the perfect foundation for a serene sleep space. Plus, baby blues are super versatile. Practically a neutral (just think how you approach styling your denim jeans), dusty blue pairs well with almost any shade, opening up a world of design options for your boudoir.  

Get the look: An obvious place to start is by pairing your cool blue tones with crisp white, to create a breezy coastal aesthetic. Imagine a squishy upholstered bed and matching white wooden wardrobes, with nautical striped bedding (check out our Foley bed below!) to tie in the seaside vibe. Alternatively, you could opt for a more Country Western theme to amplify your dusty blue walls. Add warm leathers, faux cowhide rugs, or aged wooden frames to capture that rugged cowboy charm. Yeehaw!

Recommended bed: Marcello Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame.

With a few modern updates, taking inspiration from these retro shades can create a totally fresh look and feel in your contemporary bedroom design. So whether you like the loud and clashing colours of the electric eighties or prefer the moody, sumptuous shades of the seventies, there’s a piece of nostalgia that works for everyone.