Top 15 Grandmillennial Decor Projects to Start for a Charmingly Nostalgic Feel at Home
Are you tired of the stark, minimalist aesthetic that has dominated interior design for the last decade? Do you find yourself drawn to spaces that feel lived-in, layered, and full of personality? If you’re nodding along, you might just be a Grandmillennial at heart. This charming design movement is all about embracing the traditional decor styles we loved in our grandparents' homes but with a fresh, modern twist. It’s a celebration of comfort, nostalgia, and a well-collected life.
The Grandmillennial look rejects the idea that a home should look like an impersonal catalog. Instead, it champions floral prints, intricate patterns, antique furniture, and handmade touches. It’s about creating a warm, inviting space that tells a story—your story. The beauty of this style is its accessibility. You don’t need to undertake a massive renovation to capture its essence. It’s all in the details and the curated layers.
That's why we’ve put together a list of the top 15 Grandmillennial decor projects you can start today. These ideas range from simple weekend DIYs to more involved updates, but all are designed to infuse your home with that coveted cozy, nostalgic charm. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe your home should be a sanctuary, and these projects are the perfect way to begin crafting a space that feels both timeless and uniquely you.
1. Embrace Floral Wallpaper (The Easy Way)
Nothing screams Grandmillennial quite like a chintz or floral wallpaper. It’s the foundational layer that adds instant pattern, color, and old-world charm. But the thought of traditional wallpaper—with its messy paste and permanent commitment—can be daunting for many. This is where modern innovation meets classic style.
Enter peel-and-stick wallpaper. This temporary, renter-friendly option gives you the high-impact look without the high-stakes application. You can transform a room in a single afternoon and just as easily remove it when you’re ready for a change. It’s the perfect way to experiment with bold patterns without the long-term relationship.
Tips for Success:
- Start Small: If you're nervous, begin with a small, defined area like a powder room, the back of a bookshelf, or a single accent wall in your bedroom. This gives you a taste of the look without overwhelming the space.
- Choose a Classic Pattern: Look for designs featuring chintz, toile, or botanical prints. Brands like Rifle Paper Co. and Chasing Paper offer stunning, traditional-inspired options.
- Order Samples: Always order samples first! The colors and scale can look different on a screen. Test them in your room to see how they interact with your lighting throughout the day.
2. Create a Skirted Table or Vanity
A skirted table is the epitome of Grandmillennial grace. This simple yet elegant piece can hide clutter, add softness, and introduce a beautiful textile into a room. Whether it's a round entry table, a bedside nightstand, or a dressing vanity, a fabric skirt adds a dose of traditional flair that feels both custom and cozy.
You don't need to be an expert seamstress to achieve this look. Many tutorials online show you how to create a no-sew version using fabric glue or hem tape. The key is choosing the right fabric. A classic box pleat in a solid linen, a gathered skirt in a sweet gingham, or a tailored version in a bold stripe can each create a distinct mood.
Tips for Success:
- Measure Carefully: Measure from the tabletop to the floor and the circumference of the table to ensure you buy enough fabric. Add a few extra inches for hems and adjustments.
- Find an Inexpensive Base: Scour thrift stores or Facebook Marketplace for a simple round or square side table. The base will be hidden, so it doesn't need to be perfect.
- Coordinate or Contrast: Choose a fabric that either coordinates with your existing decor for a serene look or contrasts boldly to create a statement piece.
3. Frame a Collection of Needlepoint or Cross-Stitch
Grandmillennial style celebrates handmade, sentimental items. Scour your family's attics, local antique shops, or even eBay for vintage needlepoint or cross-stitch pieces. These intricate, handmade textiles are miniature works of art that tell a story of patience and craft.
Grouping them together on a wall creates a stunning focal point. Look for pieces with common themes, such as floral motifs, animal portraits, or charming sayings. The slightly varied aging and different stitching styles will add texture and depth to your collection.
Tips for Success:
- Mix and Match Frames: Use a collection of different vintage-style frames—gilded gold, dark wood, or ornate silver—to enhance the collected-over-time feel.
- Create a Gallery Wall: Lay out your framed pieces on the floor before hanging them to find a composition you love. Mix horizontal and vertical pieces for a dynamic arrangement.
- DIY It: Feeling crafty? Pick up a needlepoint kit yourself! It's a relaxing hobby, and the result is a truly personal piece of art for your home.
4. Paint Furniture with a High-Gloss Lacquer Finish
While the Grandmillennial aesthetic loves brown wood furniture, it also embraces the transformative power of paint. A high-gloss, lacquered finish can breathe new life into a dated dresser, console, or side table, giving it a dash of Hollywood Regency glam that pairs beautifully with more traditional elements.
Choose a bold, unexpected color like kelly green, cobalt blue, or a soft blush pink. The glossy finish will make the color pop and turn a simple piece of furniture into a true statement. This is a fantastic way to modernize a thrifted find or a family hand-me-down.
Tips for Success:
- Prep is Key: The secret to a flawless, glass-like finish is meticulous preparation. Clean, sand, and prime the piece thoroughly before you even think about opening the paint can.
- Use the Right Paint: Look for paints specifically labeled as high-gloss or lacquer finish. Fine Paints of Europe is a high-end favorite, but many brands offer great options. Using a paint sprayer will yield the most professional-looking results.
- Be Patient: Apply several thin coats of paint, allowing ample drying time between each. Rushing this process will lead to drips and an uneven finish.
5. Update Lampshades with Pleats and Trim
Lighting is crucial in setting a mood, and lampshades are an often-overlooked opportunity for customization. Swapping a standard drum shade for something with more personality is a quick and effective Grandmillennial update. Pleated, scalloped, and empire-style shades are all hallmarks of the style.
Take it a step further by adding your own custom trim. A simple grosgrain ribbon hot-glued along the top and bottom edges can add a pop of color and a tailored touch. For a more playful look, consider adding pom-pom or tassel trim.
Tips for Success:
- Shop Smart: You can find beautiful, affordable lampshades on sites like Etsy or specialty lighting stores. Don't be afraid to buy a plain shade and customize it yourself.
- Consider the Lamp Base: The shade should complement the base. A simple, classic base can handle a more ornate or patterned shade, while a busy, detailed base might call for a simpler shade.
- DIY a Pleated Shade: For a true DIY project, you can buy a lampshade-making kit and use your favorite fabric to create a custom pleated or patterned shade that perfectly matches your decor.
6. Curate a Gallery Wall with Vintage Art
Forget minimalist gallery walls with uniform frames and abstract prints. The Grandmillennial gallery wall is eclectic, personal, and looks as if it has been assembled over decades. It's a mix of oil paintings, watercolor landscapes, framed sketches, and even antique silhouettes.
The goal is to create a rich tapestry of art that reflects your personality. Hunt for affordable, original art at flea markets, antique malls, and online marketplaces. Don't worry about everything matching perfectly; the charm lies in the mix.
Tips for Success:
- Unify with a Theme: While the pieces should be eclectic, a subtle, unifying theme can tie the wall together. This could be a color palette (e.g., all paintings with a hint of blue), a subject (e.g., landscapes and seascapes), or a frame style (e.g., mostly gold frames).
- Mix High and Low: Don’t be afraid to hang a precious oil painting next to a simple, framed postcard or a child's drawing. This mix is what gives the wall its soul.
- Go Beyond the Living Room: Gallery walls are perfect for hallways, entryways, and even bathrooms. They add character to transitional or overlooked spaces.
7. Hang a Plate Collection on the Wall
Displaying collections is central to the Grandmillennial ethos, and decorative plates are a classic choice. Hanging a curated set of plates on the wall is a timeless way to add pattern and three-dimensional interest. It’s particularly effective in a dining room, kitchen, or breakfast nook.
Start a collection based on a color, pattern, or manufacturer you love. Blue and white transferware is a can't-miss classic, but you could also collect floral dessert plates, majolica, or ironstone.
Tips for Success:
- Secure with Proper Hangers: Use spring-loaded plate hangers or adhesive disc hangers to ensure your treasures are safe and secure on the wall.
- Arrange in a Grouping: A single plate can look lonely. Group them in clusters of three, five, or more for greater impact. Arrange them in a symmetrical grid or a more organic, free-flowing shape.
- Think Outside the Box: You can arrange plates around a mirror, over a doorway, or up a staircase to create a unique decorative feature.
8. Sew (or Buy) Ruffled Throw Pillows
Softness and texture are key, and nothing says "cozy and traditional" like a ruffled throw pillow. Whether it’s a delicate micro-ruffle or a more dramatic, floppy flange, this little detail adds a feminine and romantic touch to a sofa, armchair, or bed.
You can find beautiful options from brands that specialize in this aesthetic, but this is also a very achievable sewing project. Choose fabrics like linen, velvet, or a classic floral chintz. Mixing a few ruffled pillows in with your standard square ones creates a lovely, layered look.
Tips for Success:
- Play with Scale: Combine pillows with different sizes and shapes. A large ruffled square pillow paired with a smaller lumbar pillow adds visual interest.
- Fabric is Everything: The fabric choice will define the pillow's vibe. A crisp linen with a ruffle feels casual and cottagey, while a silk velvet feels more formal and luxurious.
- No-Sew Option: If you don't sew, you can buy pre-made ruffle trim and use fabric glue to attach it to the edges of a plain pillow cover for a quick and easy custom look.
9. Incorporate Wicker and Rattan
To keep traditional decor from feeling stuffy, it needs a dose of natural texture. Wicker, rattan, and bamboo are the Grandmillennial’s secret weapons for adding a relaxed, slightly bohemian touch to a space. These materials bring the outdoors in and provide a welcome contrast to more formal elements like upholstery and dark wood.
Look for wicker side tables, rattan headboards, or bamboo étagères. Even small touches, like a wicker tray on a coffee table or a set of rattan-wrapped glasses on a bar cart, can make a big difference.
Tips for Success:
- Mix Tones: Don't worry about matching the exact tone of your wicker and rattan pieces. A mix of light and dark natural finishes adds to the collected, layered look.
- Paint It: Don’t shy away from a wicker piece just because the color is dated. A coat of white or a fun, bright spray paint can completely transform it.
- Shop Vintage: The best, most character-filled wicker and rattan pieces are often found secondhand. They are durable and stand the test of time.
10. Add Chinoiserie Ginger Jars
Chinoiserie, the European interpretation of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions, is a cornerstone of classic design. Blue and white porcelain, particularly ginger jars, is the most iconic element of this style and a must-have for any Grandmillennial home.
These elegant vessels are incredibly versatile. A large jar can be a standalone statement on a mantel or console table, while a grouping of smaller jars creates a beautiful collection. They can be used as vases for fresh flowers or simply be admired for their timeless beauty.
Tips for Success:
- Group for Impact: One ginger jar is lovely, but a collection of three or five in varying heights is a true showstopper.
- Look Beyond Blue and White: While classic, Chinoiserie also comes in beautiful famille rose (pinks and greens) or celadon palettes.
- Affordable Alternatives: You can find beautiful and affordable reproductions at home decor stores, online, or even at thrift shops. You don't need a pricey antique to get the look.
11. Replace Hardware with Antique Brass
Details matter, and one of the easiest and most impactful upgrades you can make is changing out your hardware. Swapping generic, modern knobs and pulls for unlacquered or antique brass hardware can instantly elevate a piece of furniture, a kitchen, or a bathroom.
Antique brass has a warm, living finish that develops a beautiful patina over time, adding to the sense of age and history in your home. Look for classic shapes like cup pulls, mushroom knobs, or ornate backplates.
Tips for Success:
- Measure First: Before you fall in love with new pulls, measure the distance between the screw holes on your existing drawers and cabinets to ensure an easy swap.
- Check the Finish: "Antique brass" can mean different things. Unlacquered brass will age naturally, while other finishes are designed to look aged from the start. Choose the one that best suits your patience and style.
- Don't Forget Doors: Extend this upgrade to your interior doorknobs for a cohesive, high-end feel throughout your home.
12. Create a Monogrammed Element
Nothing says "bespoke and traditional" like a monogram. Adding your initials to linens is a subtle yet sophisticated way to personalize your space. This project is all about adding a touch of tailored elegance that feels inherited and special.
The easiest place to start is with bath towels or guest hand towels. You can also add monograms to pillowcases, duvet covers, or even a set of cloth napkins. This small detail makes everyday items feel luxurious.
Tips for Success:
- DIY Embroidery: If you're crafty, you can hand-embroider a simple monogram yourself. There are countless tutorials online for basic stitches.
- Find a Local Service: Many local embroidery shops can add a monogram to items you bring in for a very reasonable price.
- Choose a Classic Font: Stick to traditional script or serif fonts for a timeless look. The style of the monogram can range from a single initial to a more elaborate three-letter cypher.
13. Upholster a Headboard in a Classic Print
The bedroom is a perfect place for Grandmillennial comfort, and a soft, upholstered headboard is a great starting point. Upholstering a headboard in a classic fabric—like a floral, stripe, or toile—creates a stunning focal point and makes the entire room feel more plush and inviting.
You can find many DIY tutorials for building and upholstering a simple headboard from scratch using plywood, foam, and a staple gun. Alternatively, you can often find inexpensive, plain upholstered headboards secondhand and simply reupholster them with the fabric of your choice.
Tips for Success:
- Fabric Choice is Crucial: Choose a durable, upholstery-grade fabric. Order a large sample to see how the pattern's scale works in your room.
- Consider Tufting: For an extra touch of classic detail, add button tufting to your headboard. It adds dimension and a sense of luxury.
- Coordinate Bedding: Pull a secondary color from your headboard fabric to use for your duvet cover or throw pillows for a cohesive, designer look.
14. Set Up a Bar Cart with Vintage Glassware
A bar cart is not just for storage; it's a mobile vignette that adds glamour and a sense of hospitality to any room. The Grandmillennial bar cart is all about vintage charm. Forget minimalist tools and matching glasses; this is a place to show off your collection of unique, mismatched glassware.
Scour thrift stores and antique shops for etched coupes, colorful highball glasses, and decanters with intricate stoppers. Arrange them on a brass or rattan bar cart along with a silver cocktail shaker, a small vase of flowers, and a bowl of citrus.
Tips for Success:
- Layer It: A well-styled bar cart has multiple layers. Use trays to group items, books to add height, and a small lamp to add a warm glow.
- It's Not Just for Alcohol: If you don't drink, a bar cart can be a tea and coffee station, a plant stand, or a place to display any collection you love.
- Keep it Tidy: While the look is "collected," it should still be organized. Regularly dust and arrange your cart to keep it looking chic, not cluttered. My personal approach, in line with Goh Ling Yong's focus on intentionality, is to only display what is both beautiful and useful.
15. Introduce Pleated or Ruffled Curtains
Finally, frame your windows with the softness and elegance of traditional drapery. Ditch the plain, grommet-top curtains for something with more detail and structure. Pinch-pleat drapes offer a tailored, classic look, while curtains with a ruffled trim add a touch of cottage-y sweetness.
Well-made window treatments can make a room feel finished and luxurious. They add another layer of pattern and texture, soften the hard edges of a window frame, and help control light.
Tips for Success:
- Hang Them High and Wide: The number one rule for curtains is to hang the rod several inches above the window frame and extend it several inches past the frame on each side. This makes the window appear larger and allows more light in when the curtains are open.
- Kiss the Floor: For a classic, high-end look, your curtains should just "kiss" the floor or puddle slightly. Curtains that are too short can make a room feel stunted.
- Don't Skimp on Fabric: Ensure your curtain panels are full enough. The total width of your panels should be at least two times the width of your window for a lush, full appearance.
Creating a home with a Grandmillennial feel is all about embracing the past with a fresh perspective. It's about filling your rooms with stories, textures, and pieces you truly love. These projects are more than just a to-do list; they are invitations to slow down, get creative, and intentionally craft a space that feels like a warm, welcoming hug.
Don't feel pressured to tackle them all at once. Choose one or two that speak to you and see how they transform your space. The journey of making a house a home is a beautiful one, built one charming detail at a time.
Which of these projects are you most excited to try? Do you have any other Grandmillennial DIY ideas to share? Let us know in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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