Retro wallpaper

Retro wallpaper brings the graphic boldness and warm colours of the sixties and seventies back into a contemporary interior, without ever feeling nostalgic or dated. Rhythmic geometry, organic flowing shapes and drawn flowers in mustard, terracotta and avocado green let the wall breathe again. At Selected Wallpapers we choose designs that honour the era yet are made with the precision and material quality of today, so the nod to the past stays grown-up and refined.

Where retro wallpaper works best

A pronounced retro pattern asks for a wall that gets the stage. In a living room such a design looks wonderful behind a low, clean-lined sofa, where the horizontal line of the furniture balances the busy motif. In a hallway or stairwell a repeating graphic gives depth to a narrow, often forgotten space. If you prefer something calmer, paper a single wall and keep the others plain in a shade picked out of the pattern. The era's signature palettes, from smoky brown and ochre to bottle green, sit effortlessly alongside walnut, brass and velvet.

Colours and patterns that define the era

The difference between successful and cluttered lies in the tone. The earthy, slightly muted colours of the seventies, mustard yellow, terracotta, rust orange and soft green, give warmth without turning loud. Alongside them sits the crisper, optical side of the sixties: black-and-white waves, concentric circles and diamonds that play with perspective. If you like that geometric calm, take a look at our geometric wallpaper as well. For the version with large, stylised blooms, our floral wallpaper pairs nicely with it.

Materials and finish of retro wallpaper

Most wallpaper in this category is printed on a sturdy non-woven backing, where you paste the wall rather than the strip. It hangs comfortably, the seams meet cleanly and the backing stays dimensionally stable, which matters with large geometric repeats so the lines run true. For a kitchen or cloakroom you can choose a washable finish from our vinyl wallpaper; the cleaning advice is listed on every product page. The matte to lightly textured finish suits the crafted, hand-drawn character and catches the light softly rather than with a sheen.

How much retro wallpaper do you need?

With a large, repeating pattern it is wise to calculate the quantity carefully, because geometric and floral motifs waste more material when matching the seams. Our wallpaper calculator takes the repeat height into account and gives you the number of rolls in a few steps. If you are unsure about aligning a complex design, our page on professional wallpaper hangers helps you find an experienced specialist. Always order one roll too many, so the colour batch stays consistent.

Ordering retro wallpaper at Selected Wallpapers

Selected Wallpapers brings together collections that take the spirit of the sixties and seventies seriously, made with the materials and print quality of now. A sample is easy to order online, so you can judge the colour and texture at home against your own furniture and light. Questions about how the pattern runs, the right quantity or the best combination? Our team is glad to think along by phone or email. International shipping, duties & taxes included.