What You Need To Know About Grandmillennial Style

Bold colors. Mixed fabrics. Florals. Patterned curtains. Warm wood tones. This may sound like a description of the "Golden Girls" set, but these are actually some essential pieces of the new nostalgic décor style referred to as "grandmillennial" or granny chic. Now that millennials have reached full-fledged adulthood, they're saying goodbye to the overly-sanitized neutral aesthetic that was printed in magazines like Better Homes & Gardens as the ultimate modern ideal for their parents.

Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996, according to USA Today. This places them firmly between the bold, colorful designs of the '60s and '70s and the neutral rebellion that followed. Growing up during this time means that many millennials saw a stark contrast between the homes of their grandparents and their own family homes. Fast forward 30 years and nothing feels more like home than a space that feels like grandma's home — with a modern twist, of course. Here's everything you need to know about this unique style and how to pull it off.

Grandmillennial style is about ditching the neutrals and letting some of your personality shine through your décor, just like your grandma did. Look for opportunities to add visual interest that also bring you joy. You're not looking to replicate a bygone era; you're infusing your modern space with warm nostalgic energy. Start by looking for handmade and vintage items you love. One by one, begin replacing mass-produced items with one-of-a-kind pieces that represent your unique style. If you're nervous, start with one small item. Replace a vase or a piece of wall art you bought at a big box store with one that was handmade by a small business or caught your eye in a vintage or thrift store, like Goodwill.

The feeling you get when you make one small change you love in your home will encourage you to keep going. In fact, bringing warm and interesting elements like houseplants and unique décor pieces can boost your creativity, mental well-being, and creativity, according to Hello Doctor. Over time, start to go bigger. Sell your cookie-cutter sofa or desk and replace it with an antique version. Swap out your solid neutral curtains for ones with a bold pattern or ruffles. If you truly love some of your modern furniture or décor pieces, keep them and mix them into a new look. The goal is to add fun, whimsy, nostalgia, and individuality to the space in a way that doesn't erase the now but supports and supplements it.

If the heart of grandmillennial style is warmth and individuality, the opposing elements are coldness and conformity. If you want to pull off granny chic, you'll want to limit the number of pieces in your home with a cold, impersonal feel. This includes furniture pieces like tables made of chrome and glass rather than wood, for example. You don't necessarily need to get rid of these pieces. You can get creative with finding ways to warm them up and make them fit into your new style. Try a bold, patterned tablecloth or fire up the metallic spray paint like TikTok user @Mvanjaa did to change cold metal table legs into a warm gold hue.

You'll also want to take inventory of all the neutral colors in your space. Include walls, upholstery, linens, flooring, and accent pieces. You may be surprised by how many you find. Some of these will need to go if you want to express more individuality within the space. If adding a bold wall color to an entire room feels too risky, try covering just one neutral wall with an accent color that supports your mood goals (via WebMD). When you select new (to you) items to bring into the space, make sure they offer warmth and that you truly love each one. This isn't a style where any piece that meets a checklist of standards will do. Your personality mixed with just a touch of vintage flair is the key to success.