What is Grandmillennial Style?

What is Grandmillennial Style?

If you’ve ever admired your nan’s floral wallpaper, collected antique china from charity shops, or fallen in love with a ruffled lampshade, you’re not alone. Welcome to the world of Grandmillennial Style.

The term “grandmillennial” was coined in House Beautiful as the antidote to all things minimalist and modern. Grandmillennial is an interior design trend that’s equal parts timeless tradition and modern interpretation. It’s charming, layered, and unapologetically decorative.

Also known as “granny chic,” the trend has been gaining momentum among younger generations who are rejecting minimalist interiors in favour of something more layered, cosy, and characterful. It’s an aesthetic that celebrates tradition, craftsmanship, and comfort, with just enough modernity to keep things feeling fresh.

Let’s take a look at what defines Grandmillennial Style, where it comes from, and, most importantly, how to bring it into your own home.

What Is Grandmillennial Style?

Grandmillennial Style blends the elegance of classic interior design with a modern eye for curation and creativity. It borrows heavily from traditional British home styling; think chintz fabrics, embroidered cushions, antique furniture, pleated lampshades, and patterned wallpaper, but reimagines these elements in more playful or unexpected ways.

Rather than being stark or minimalist, this style is about comfort and charm. It’s a celebration of inherited heirlooms, vintage finds, and timeless pieces passed down through generations.

It resonates with anyone who appreciates old-world charm but wants to make it feel relevant for today.

Why Is Grandmillennial Style So Popular?

After years of pared-back minimalism and grey colour palettes, many of us are craving homes that feel warmer, more personal, and more expressive. Grandmillennial Style is the perfect antidote; it’s soft, nostalgic, and comforting, yet still stylish and thoughtfully curated.

Key Features of Grandmillennial Style

Pieces you might find in a country house or your grandmother’s lounge are reimagined with updated fabrics or contemporary accessories in the grandmillennial style. This style is full of layered elements, but here are some of its defining features:

  • Pattern-on-pattern layering: Florals, toile, chintz, stripes - it’s all about maximalist layering.
  • Classic furnishings: Skirted sofas, slipper chairs, darkwood sideboards - classic silhouettes play a big role.
  • Vintage and antique pieces: Whether inherited or thrifted, pieces with a story bring soul to a Grandmillennial space.
  • Soft furnishings: Think tasselled edges, ruffle cushions, ruched curtains, scalloped edges, and block-printed tablecloths.
  • A love for craft: Needlepoint, cross-stitch, hand-thrown pottery, or a beautiful embroidered cushion - handmade details shine.
  • Colourful yet cosy: Warm neutrals, soft pastels, and bold colourful combos create richness and depth without being stark or severe.

How to Get the Grandmillennial Look in Your Home

If you’re feeling inspired, here’s how to start incorporating Grandmillennial elements into your space, no full home makeover needed.

Start Small with Soft Furnishings

A great entry point is textiles. Swap out modern scatter cushions for something embroidered or floral, like our HKliving Tokyo Printed Cushion. Add a frilly tablecloth to your dining table or hang a fabric-covered pinboard in the hallway. These little touches can completely change the feel of a room.

Mix the Old with the New

To avoid looking overly dated or stuffy, balance vintage finds with more modern elements. For example, pair a Georgian-style chest of drawers with bold contemporary art, or display floral china alongside modern glassware on your shelving. It’s all about curating contrasts.

Embrace Colour and Pattern 

The Grandmillennial look thrives on layered patterns and colours, but cohesion is key. Choose two or three colours to run throughout the room; for example, blush pink, moss green, and warm cream, and mix different motifs within that palette. Patterns like gingham and stripes work really well for grandmillennial styles. 

We’re loving the blush tones of the HKliving Blush Storage Cupboard, which offers a modern look with a slightly vintage colour palette, which works wonderfully for the grandmillennial style. 

Likewise, this colour-drenched sage green style from @laurasolensky instantly adds a grandmillennial feel to the space. Bring a similar style to your home with our Abe Deconstructed Linen Armchair in Olive. 

Hit the Charity Shops and Auctions

Half the fun of Grandmillennial decorating is the thrill of the hunt. Look out for brass candlesticks, embroidered napkins, old biscuit tins, floral crockery, or vintage lampshades. These items add personality and authenticity that brand-new decor simply can’t replicate.

Choosing New Pieces That Capture the Grandmillennial Look

You don’t need to rely solely on antiques or second-hand finds to embrace Grandmillennial Style. Many contemporary furniture makers and interior brands now offer beautifully made pieces that channel a traditional aesthetic with a modern sensibility.

The key is to look for timeless shapes, tactile materials, and a sense of character. 

Glass and Brass Tables

A glass-topped side table or metal coffee table with brass legs strikes the perfect balance between vintage elegance and modern refinement. These pieces help break up heavier traditional furniture by adding a sense of lightness and polish. The glass keeps the room feeling open, while the brass brings warmth and a subtle nod to old-world glamour. Shop the look with our Nakuru Brass and Glass Rectangular Coffee Table.

Linen Armchairs

Upholstered armchairs are a Grandmillennial essential, and linen is the perfect fabric choice for a modern take on tradition. Whether you go for a high-backed wing chair or something more low and curved, a linen-covered piece brings a gentle, natural texture to the room. 

Choose soft neutrals like ivory or pale blue for flexibility, or, if you’re feeling bolder, opt for a floral or striped print in a heritage palette. Either way, it’s all about inviting softness and sink-in comfort.

If you don’t want to go full fabric, opt for a chair like the Kaziria Cane and Linen Armchair, which features a traditional seat style that would suit a grandmillennial home, but has a lighter, airy feel thanks to the woven cane back. 

Display Cabinets

Glass-fronted cabinets or dressers are ideal for showcasing all the beautiful, collected objects that define this style. Think stacks of old books, porcelain figurines, coloured glassware, or floral tea sets. 

Look for painted or lightly distressed finishes if you want something that feels traditional but still light enough for a modern home. Slimline styles also work well in smaller spaces, giving you the charm of a collector’s home without taking over the room.

We love the Lagos White Pine Wood Display Cabinet for this, as it has the perfect mix of modern and vintage vibes, and offers the perfect space to display your finest china and trinkets! 

Sideboards

A sideboard is one of the most versatile pieces in a Grandmillennial-inspired home. Use it in a hallway, living room or dining space to anchor your design while providing storage and a surface for styling.

Go for dark wood sideboards with rich tones, like walnut or mahogany, to echo antique finishes, or soften the look with painted wood in sage green, dusky rose or pale grey. Add a pleated lampshade, a small collection of vintage picture frames and a houseplant, and you have a beautiful focal point.

The Dutchbone Arda Walnut Sideboard is ideal for this, easily adding vintage warmth to your home with the deep walnut wood and creamy limestone top. Reminiscent of a 1950’s interior, it provides a focal point, brings a distinct vintage vibe and offers plenty of space to store your items in style. 

Rattan and Cane

To stop things feeling too heavy or formal, incorporate some natural materials like rattan, cane, or wicker. A rattan daybed, a cane-backed dining chair, or even a woven coffee table can lend an airy, slightly playful touch to the space.

These elements offer breathability and texture, pairing well with more ornate or upholstered pieces. They’re also great for making a Grandmillennial room feel suitable for warmer seasons or coastal homes.

We love the rattan twist on the grandmillennial style curated by @lacasonaedit. You can create a similar effect in your home with the Tine K Home Natural Bamboo Couch with Cushion and other items from our natural furniture range. 

Grandmillennial vs Just Plain Granny

There’s a difference between intentionally styled and simply outdated. Grandmillennial interiors may borrow heavily from the past, but they’re carefully edited and filled with joy. The key is confidence and curation; it’s not about throwing every old-fashioned item you own into one room.

Instead, think of it as creating a space that feels layered, loved, and lived-in, while still being elegant and intentional.

Whether you live in a country cottage, a Victorian terrace or a modern flat, this aesthetic can be tailored to suit your space. And best of all? You don’t need a huge budget, just an eye for beauty, a love of storytelling, and maybe a fondness for a good floral print.

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