We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Ah, the good old days! Minimalist home design may have been popular, but who wants plain and boring when you can have cozy and comfy? HGTV’s Erin Napier is all about bringing back that nostalgic home vibe. She says it’s all about evoking those warm, fuzzy feelings from the past, not just slapping on some vintage decor. Napier knows the key is selecting pieces that are meaningful to you – things that remind you of your grandma’s living room on a crisp fall day. It’s not about recreating the past, but rather celebrating the memories. As she says, “Personal over pretty” is always the goal.
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Design Ideas from Erin Napier That Feel Nostalgic
Opt for colorful, printed sofas
Onzeg/Getty Images Remember those cozy, colorful sofas from your childhood? Napier sure does. She’s on a mission to bring back those vibrant, patterned pieces that make a space feel so lived-in and comfy. Let’s be real, modern furniture is just a sea of beige and gray. Bring on the plaid, stripes, and florals – that’s where the real nostalgia is at.
Snagging a new printed sofa isn’t always easy, but there are ways to work around that. Slipcovers are a quick fix if you already have a couch. Or you can go the DIY route and reupholster an old piece. Thrift stores and antique shops are also great places to find vintage gems. Just take your time and find something that really sparks that nostalgic feeling.
Display ancestral photographs as art
Erin learned this trick from her mom – framing up old family photos and hanging them around the house is such an easy way to add that warm, personal touch. The key is choosing fun, playful pics that show off your relatives’ personalities. Think black-and-white shots of grandparents being silly or vintage snapshots of them posing in their prime.
To really nail that “grandma’s house” vibe, use mismatched vintage frames. Oval ones are especially perfect for that retro look. You can go all-out with a gallery wall, or just sprinkle the photos around the house. Erin even sets up her own family’s photos in the hallway, with her husband’s side on one side and her side on the other – just like her mom used to do.
Erin Napier says a plate wall can make a space really feel like home
Alla Tsyganova /Getty Images You know those decorative plate walls in grandmas’ kitchens? Turns out, they’re not just a cute relic of the past – Erin Napier says they can make a space feel super homey and lived-in. “There’s something about a plate wall that just says ‘grandmother’s house,’ but in a warm, loving way,” she explains.
The great thing about a plate wall is that you can keep adding to it over time, creating a one-of-a-kind, curated collection. Try mixing up the sizes, colors, and shapes instead of going for a matchy-matchy set. Just make sure to pick a unifying element, like scalloped edges or a certain color palette. Milk glass plates for a vintage look, or floral-printed porcelain for something more vibrant – the options are endless!
Embrace the bold colors of the past
Divine Toons/Shutterstock Napier loves bold, vibrant colors that harken back to historic design styles. She points out that shades like blue and green can make a home feel connected to nature, just like the good old days. Somewhere along the way, we got afraid of color and everything became so drab and gray.
Bring back those sunshine yellow walls, deep sage exteriors, and lush emerald green carpets that make you nostalgic for the past. Not sure how to make a bold color feel “right” in your space? Napier suggests choosing something with a hint of yellow – it’ll help the hue feel more integrated and lived-in.
Display handwritten recipes and letters as art
Deeauvil/Getty Images Napier loves finding little glimpses of the past and giving them new life in her designs. Like when she was renovating a house and stumbled upon some old handwritten recipes from the 70s – she knew she had to find a way to preserve that piece of history. Her idea? Printing the recipes on tea towels to display in the kitchen.
Handwriting is such a powerful reminder of the past. You can frame up old recipe cards, letters, or even diary entries and hang them on the walls. Or get creative and use the handwriting as a design element – print it on throw blankets, embroider it on pillows, or engrave it on a cutting board. The options are endless for bringing those personal, nostalgic touches into your home.
Use quilts as decor, not just bedding
Ds70/Getty Images Quilts are the ultimate cozy, nostalgic touch. Napier likes to use them to add color and vintage vibes to her neutral sofas. But they’re not just for the bedroom – get creative and use quilts as wall art, tablecloths, or even reupholstered chair cushions.
Don’t have any heirloom quilts lying around? No problem – you can find amazing vintage ones at thrift stores or antique shops. Or, if you’re feeling crafty, you can even make your own! Just be sure to look for high-quality, long-lasting materials like wool when shopping.
Vintage and antique furniture silhouettes
Napier loves using vintage and antique furniture silhouettes in her designs – like the classic bobbin style that you can spot all over her home. These strong, vintage-inspired shapes instantly add depth and history to a room. But you don’t have to stick to just one era. Mixing and matching different eras, from Art Deco to postmodern, is a great way to create that lived-in, nostalgic feel.
Look for pieces with bold, geometric lines or flowing, curved shapes to really lean into that vintage vibe. Curved sofas, ornate rocking chairs, and wingback armchairs with wooden details are all fair game. The key is finding sturdy, well-designed furniture that can stand the test of time.
Embrace hand-me-down furniture and thrift store finds
Solstock/Getty Images Napier is all about decorating with pre-loved pieces that have a story. Like the 25-year-old sofa she inherited from her mom – she had it reupholstered to give it new life, but the sentimental value is still there. Vintage and antique furniture often has way better quality than anything you’ll find brand-new these days.
When shopping for pre-loved furniture, look for sturdy, well-made pieces that can be easily restored. Solid wood items like dining tables, desks, and bed frames are great options. Couches and chairs may require a bit more work, but the payoff is worth it for that lived-in, cozy vibe. No hand-me-downs from relatives? Thrift stores, antique shops, and online marketplaces are your best bets.
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