Retro wallpaper

Retro wallpaper is a printed wall covering with 60s, 70s and mid-century patterns. This range covers 60s mod geometrics, 70s earthy florals, Art Deco revivals and atomic mid-century shapes. It suits lounges, dining rooms, hallways and bedrooms in UK flats and period terraces. The prints pair well with teak sideboards, velvet sofas in mustard or rust, chrome lamps and warm paint colours like Mole's Breath or Babouche. Scroll down to browse the full range.

Retro Wallpaper Is Back Now

The look is back on every UK interiors mood board, and this is the year it finally stops feeling dated. Designers are reworking 80s and 70s patterns with softer, lived-in palettes. The shapes are bold. The colours are calm. That is the shift that makes the look work in a modern lounge or a period terrace. This range splits into three clear eras. Pick the one that matches your sofa and you will not go wrong. For more pairing examples and room-by-room inspiration, our guide on retro wallpaper ideas for your home walks through five real UK lounges.

Which Era Fits Your Home

60s mod is bold, graphic and a little playful. Think black and white op-art with one shot of colour. If you lean towards 60s mod shapes and op-art lines, our retro geometric wallpaper range drills deeper into that look. The 70s wallpaper UK buyers reach for most is earthy avocado green, burnt orange, mustard and chocolate brown with big organic shapes. Mid-century is the calmest of the three. Clean lines, atomic motifs and a soft Scandinavian palette. A 60s print suits a Victorian front room with high ceilings. A 70s floral warms up a small snug. Mid-century fits a 1960s semi better than any other look. For a softer, less literal take on the same era, browse abstract prints that pair well with mid-century teak.

Retro Wall Mural Pairings That Work

The quickest way to make a retro mural look current is to get the furniture right. Mid-century prints love teak and walnut. A low sideboard, tapered legs and a single brass lamp will carry the whole wall. For a 70s feel, lean on velvet. Mustard, rust and olive sofas sit beautifully against burnt orange florals. A 60s mod print wants harder edges; chrome, black leather and a glass coffee table. Paint matters too. Farrow & Ball Mole's Breath grounds a busy 70s print. Sulking Room Pink softens a graphic 60s wall. Babouche picks up the mustard in an earthy floral. Keep the rest of the room plain so the pattern leads.

Pairing With Oak and Walnut Floors

Warm wood floors do most of the work. Oak boards sit well with 70s earthy tones. Walnut suits mid-century atomic prints. If you have grey laminate or LVT, a 60s mod print in black, white and one pop colour reads cleanest. Avoid busy rugs over busy floors. One rich print, one plain floor.

Where the Print Fits: Lounge, Dining, Snug

The lounge is the natural home for a pattern like this. Behind the sofa or on the chimney breast is the classic UK placement. One feature wall, three plain walls. That is the rule for a small or a medium room. If the lounge is the room you are redoing, our lounge-ready wall prints include plenty of patterns that suit period and new-build homes. In a larger lounge with a bay window, the back wall carries it best. Do not wrap all four walls unless the ceiling is low and the print is soft. Dining rooms are the quiet win here. A warm 70s floral or a mid-century atomic print behind the dining table lifts a room that usually gets ignored. Thinking about the bedroom instead? The bedroom wallpaper range has calmer prints that work beside a retro headboard. A snug or reading corner suits the calmer mid-century palette. Browse the retro vintage wallpaper range by era to narrow the choice before you measure up.

North-Facing Rooms and Light

A north-facing sitting room needs warmth. Pick an earthy 70s print in rust, mustard or chocolate. South-facing rooms can take the cooler 60s mod palette without feeling cold. Hallways behind a console table are another soft entry point. One short wall, big impact, no commitment across the whole floor.

Hanging, Renting and Day-to-Day Care

Most prints in the collection come in two finishes. Paste-the-wall is the classic UK hang and sits flat on lined walls for years. Peel-and-stick is the renter's friend;  it lifts off cleanly and does not take the paint with it. If you rent a flat in London, Manchester or Bristol, peel-and-stick is the safer pick. Care is simple. Wipe light marks with a soft, damp cloth. Keep the wall dry near radiators. In a British bathroom or a steamy kitchen, use a splash screen nearby and the print will sit happily for years.

Prepping a Lumpy Period Wall

Older terraces rarely have flat walls. A quick skim or a lining paper layer under the print will hide hairline cracks and old filler patches. It is worth the extra afternoon. The pattern reads cleaner and the seams disappear.

Retro Prints for Lounges, Bars and Games Rooms

Years of magnolia leave a room feeling flat. This is the look most UK homeowners turn to when they are ready to stop playing it safe. A lounge redo after a long neutral run. A home bar tucked under the stairs with a bold 70s print behind the shelves. A games room with a 60s op-art wall and two leather chairs. A 70s kitchen revival with a tile-effect wall and open shelving. If you are decorating a new-build flat that feels identikit, one patterned wall gives the place a personality overnight.

Pick a Retro Print With Confidence

The collection works hardest in lounges, dining rooms and snugs, with bedrooms and hallways as softer options. Pair 60s mod with chrome and black leather. Pair 70s earthy with teak, velvet and warm paint. Pair mid-century atomic with walnut and Scandinavian furniture. With over 700 designs across the three eras, there is a print for every UK home, from a period terrace to a new-build flat. Scroll back up to browse the full range.

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FAQs

Which materials is best for wallpaper?

Wallpapers are made from standard paper, canvas paper, premium paper, peel and stick materials for durability and style.

How Do I Measure My Wall for a Wall Mural?

Measure the wall's width and height, adding 2–4 inches for trimming. Check for obstacles like windows or doors and note their dimensions. Double-check measurements before ordering!

How Do I Order Custom Size Wallpaper or Wall Mural?

Pick a design, enter wall dimensions, choose material, and place your order. Contact support for help!

What color sofa suits a 70s earthy retro wallpaper?

A rust, mustard or olive velvet sofa is the cleanest match for a 70s earthy print. These tones sit inside the same warm family as the wall, so nothing clashes. A chocolate brown leather sofa also works if the print already has orange in it. Keep cushions plain cream or cream with one thin stripe to let the wall lead.

Does a mid-century retro mural go with oak flooring?

Yes, oak is one of the best floors for a mid-century look. The warm grain lifts atomic shapes and clean-line prints without fighting them. Walnut floors work even harder, especially with teak furniture. If your floor is gray laminate, pick a mid-century print with softer neutrals rather than one with strong color blocks.

Which wall should I choose in a small living room?

The fireplace wall is the classic choice. It is already the focal point, and a single print there does not overwhelm a small living room. If there is no fireplace, use the wall behind the sofa. Keep the three other walls in a plain warm neutral. One patterned wall, three calm walls, every time.

Will a bold retro print work in a north-facing living room?

Yes, as long as you pick a warm palette. North-facing rooms get cooler light, so a 70s earthy print in rust, mustard and brown adds the warmth the room is missing. Avoid cool grays or stark black-and-white 60s mod prints in a north-facing room unless you have strong lamp lighting to lift it at night.

Is peel-and-stick safe for a rented apartment?

Yes. Peel-and-stick prints are designed to come off cleanly without pulling paint or drywall with them. They are the safest pick for a rented apartment in New York, Chicago, Austin or Los Angeles where you need to return the walls as you found them. Always test a small corner first on older latex paint.

How do I clean a retro print near a kitchen or bathroom?

Wipe gently with a soft, damp microfiber cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners or bleach sprays. For a kitchen wall, pair the print with a tile or glass backsplash behind the range, not the paper itself. In a bathroom, avoid placing the print directly above the tub without a glass screen to block the steam.

Is paste-the-wall or peel-and-stick better for a feature wall?

For a long-term living room feature wall, paste-the-wall gives a slightly flatter finish and lasts many years. For a rented home or a room you like to refresh often, peel-and-stick is the easier pick. Both look the same once up. The real question is how long you want the print to stay.

Does this suit a Victorian-era or older home?

Very well. A 60s mod print suits the tall ceilings of a Victorian front room, and a 70s earthy floral warms up an older hallway beautifully. Skim coat the wall or add a smoothing primer first if the plaster is bumpy. Pair with original wood floors, a stripped door and a single mid-century armchair for a proper period-meets-retro feel.

Which retro style suits a 1960s ranch or mid-century home?

Mid-century is the natural fit for a 1960s ranch. The clean lines and atomic shapes were designed for exactly that era of architecture. Pair with teak, a warm Scandi palette and oak flooring. A 60s mod print also works if your living room has big windows and tall baseboards.