The Ultimate Grandmillennial Style Guide
Grandmillennial dining room designed by Ariel Okin. A refined blend of vintage inspiration and modern luxury. Traditional with a twist.
Tired of stark minimalism and cold contemporary designs? Discover the world of grandmillennial style – a fresh blend of nostalgic charm and modern sensibility that's capturing the hearts of design enthusiasts across generations.
This guide will walk you through the cozy, character-filled appeal of this rising trend, showing you how to breathe new life into traditional decor and incorporate these timeless elements into your own home.
Whether you're looking to fully embrace the grandmillennial aesthetic or just add a touch of vintage-inspired comfort to your space, we've got you covered with practical tips, key elements, and inspiring ideas.
Ariel Okin-designed grandmillennial bedroom.
What is a grandmillennial?
A grandmillennial is typically someone in their 20s or 30s who embraces traditional decor reminiscent of their grandparents' homes but adds modern elements. This style includes floral patterns, antique furniture, and chinoiserie, blending nostalgia with contemporary touches for a cozy, personalized aesthetic.
What age is a grand millennial?
Grand millennials are typically between 25 and 40 years old. This age group, born between the early 1980s and late 1990s, often finds comfort in traditional design elements while adding their own modern twist.
However, this style appeals to design enthusiasts of all ages! So…
What Is Grandmillennial Style?
Interior design by Sarah Bartholomew, showcasing grandmillennial style.
Grandmillennial style blends traditional and contemporary decor elements. It can typically include:
Patterned wallpaper
Antique or vintage-inspired furniture
Rich textiles (florals, toile, chintz, stripes)
Heirloom pieces and family mementos
Contemporary accents (abstract art, statement lighting)
This aesthetic celebrates nostalgia while avoiding a stuffy or dated feel, creating a fresh take on traditional interiors. It balances old-world charm with modern sensibilities, resulting in spaces that are both cozy and current.
The grand millennial style offers a comforting escape from stark, impersonal modern design trends, embracing maximalism and personalization over minimalism. Often referred to as 'granny chic,' it combines classic elegance with contemporary flair. To visualize the grandmillennial look, imagine your grandmother's house – bold wallpaper, ruffled linens, ornate lampshades, and delicate ceramics – but with a fresh, modern twist.
This style celebrates the nostalgic past in an updated way, rejecting the cold, colorless aesthetic of many contemporary interiors. While it originated with millennials, its warm, personalized approach appeals to a wide range of age groups. Grand millennial style is perfect for anyone who finds mainstream modern design trends too impersonal or austere.
Grandmillenial style living room. Interior design by Mark D. Sikes.
The Rise of Grandmillennial Style
In essence, grand millennial really isn’t a new design style. In fact, it’s actually just a new term that defines an already established style. While the style isn’t necessarily new, this younger generation has adapted and made it their own. Social media was a huge factor in raising grand millennial to fame thanks to fun TikTok decor videos and Instagram and Pinterest pages dedicated solely to this style. Influencers and interior design enthusiasts share their grand millennial-inspired spaces, showcasing how this style can be both chic and timeless.
During the pandemic, as people spent more time at home, many sought comfort in their surroundings. This led to interest in the grandmillennial style, which exudes warmth and familiarity—a stark contrast to the minimalist trends that have dominated recent years. The style's ability to create a 'homey' feel proved to be a source of solace for many during uncertain times.
Is grandmillennial out of style?
Far from being out of style, grandmillennial design continues to gain popularity. Its emphasis on comfort, nostalgia, and sustainability through the use of vintage and antique pieces aligns well with current design trends and eco-friendly lifestyles.
Sustainable Aspects of Grand Millennial Decor
Grand Millennial style bedroom by Isabel Ladd Interiors.
The grand millennial style is not just about aesthetics; it's also a sustainable choice. By embracing vintage and antique pieces, this style promotes the reuse and repurposing of items, reducing the need for new resources and minimizing waste. This is one of the most appealing aspects of grand millennial style, that it can be done sustainably. More and more, we are seeing the younger generation take their impact on our planet seriously and this includes their homes.
Including Vintage and Antiques
Amitābha Studio Table Lamp from Antique Delft Boch Frères Keramis Vase with new lampshade from a vintage silk sari.
Incorporating vintage and antiques into home decor is a hallmark of the grand millennial style. These pieces not only add character and history to a space but also align with environmentally conscious living. From antique lamps and furniture to vintage textiles, each piece tells a story and adds depth to the grand millennial aesthetic. Many people are even able to feature furniture and pieces in their homes that were passed down from generation to generation. This gives your space a sentimental and emotional appeal that you wouldn’t otherwise have. These pieces bring an emotional depth and personal touch to a home, making it feel more lived-in and loved. This emotional connection to our living spaces is a key element of the grand millennial charm.
Thrifting and Upcycling
Because this style incorporates elements of an older look, many of the pieces can be thrifted or upcycled. Thrifting and upcycling are fundamental to achieving an authentic grand millennial look. Finding unique, pre-loved items at thrift stores or flea markets and giving them a new lease on life is not only economical but also environmentally friendly. It's about seeing the potential in an old piece and transforming it into something that reflects your own personal style.
How to Decorate Your Home In Grand Millennial Style
Ariel Okin-designed Grandmillennial or New Traditionalist bedroom. A serene blend of traditional patterns and modern touches, creating a timeless and sophisticated retreat.
Now that you know what grandmillennial style is, let’s discuss ways you can incorporate this look into your home.
Isabel Ladd-designed grandmillennial bedroom. A vibrant mix of bold colors, eclectic art, and traditional patterns creates a playful, layered space.
Wallpaper, Color Schemes, and Textures
Bold, patterned wallpaper, rich color palettes, and a mix of textures are commonly used to add visual interest and depth to a room in grand millennial decor. This style encourages a fearless approach to mixing different elements, creating a space that's both eclectic and harmonious.
Start with the walls. Your wall color choice will have a huge impact on how you end up styling the rest of your room.
Choosing Wallpaper
Floral patterns, stripes, and even toile are popular wallpaper choices that add a touch of elegance and nostalgia. Wallpaper can act as a backdrop for the rest of the decor, tying together various elements of the grand millennial style.
Color Palette Insights
Patterned and floral wallpaper is very popular, but you can also opt for solid colors such as comforting blues and greens, vintage beiges, and more. If you’re worried about your wall color choice, don’t fret! The grand millennial style is all about mixing patterns, fabrics, and colors so you don’t have to be too matchy-matchy.
Essential Elements of Grand Millennial Decor
A pair of Amitābha Studio table lamps, crafted from antique Delftware vases with Chinoiserie designs.
Delft Ceramics
Delft ceramics are a must. Known for their distinctive blue and white patterns, they are a quintessential element of grand millennial decor. Delft pieces add a touch of classic elegance and can be used in various ways, from tableware to decorative accents. What would your grandmother's home have been without the iconic blue and white Delft ceramic plates? The blue and white color scheme is versatile and pairs well with a range of other hues, adding to the style's eclectic charm.
One-of-a-kind table lamps, crafted from antique or vintage Delft ceramic vases and paired with modern lampshades, offer a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary styles that can easily complement the nostalgic charm of a grandmillennial room.
Solid Wood Furniture and Its Longevity
Opt for solid wood furniture. The grand millennial trend is here to stay which means you’ll want to buy solid wood furniture that is going to last years (and may even be passed down to your kids!) Brown wood furniture is particularly popular within this style focusing on cherry, walnut, and mahogany. The best part is that these materials are classic and can be moved from room to room whether you decide to stick with grand millennial long term or not! For smaller chairs, storage solutions, or outdoor furniture, cane and wicker are also great material options.
Incorporating Metallics: Gold and Brass
Interior design by Lea H. Burton, featuring elements of grandmillennial style.
Go for the gold (and brass.) Metallics touches are a big part of the grand millennial style and can be incorporated in your lighting fixtures, knicks knacks, mirrors, clocks, picture frames and more. These metals add a touch of glamour and sophistication and complement the style's rich textures and colors, bringing a luxurious feel to the space.
Textiles: Beyond Needle Point
Don’t forget the textiles! Needle point is no longer just for your grandma! Textiles are huge in grand millennial style from needlepoint pillows to toile sheets to pleated lampshades to floral rugs. The right textiles can complement the overall look of your space while also making it feel welcoming and comforting.
Is grandmillennial preppy?
Grandmillennial style shares some aesthetic overlap with preppy decor through its embrace of traditional patterns like plaid, monograms, and classic color schemes (such as blue and white). Both styles favor timeless designs associated with heritage and tradition. However, while preppy style is more rooted in fashion and New England’s coastal and collegiate influences, grandmillennial focuses primarily on interior design, blending vintage pieces with modern touches for a curated, layered look.
Personalizing Your Grandmillennial Space
The true beauty of grand millennial style lies in its ability to be personalized. It's about creating a space that reflects your own individual taste and history.
Interior design by Gabrielle Santiago, featuring grandmillennial style elements.
Starting a Collection
Start collecting, be it vintage china, art, or books. If there is one thing your grandparents definitely had in their home, it’s a collection of something! Cute knick knacks, Delft plates hanging on the wall, vintage art pieces–the list can go on. Start collecting something you love and don’t be afraid to display it in your home. Collections tell a story and add interest, making a space uniquely yours.
Making it Uniquely Yours
Ultimately, the grand millennial style is about making a space feel like home. It's about mixing and matching, experimenting with patterns and colors, and showcasing personal treasures. Whether it's a cherished family heirloom or a newly thrifted find, each element contributes to creating a space that's both stylish and deeply personal.
So, make it your own! At the end of the day, this style is all about making your space feel familiar and warm. And you can’t do that without adding in touches of you! Your grand millennial decor shouldn’t come together overnight and will most likely evolve as you thrift new decor or take an old armoire off your family members hands. The most important thing is that you love your space and feel like you can grow with it!
Isabel Ladd-designed grandmillennial maximalist bedroom. A bold mix of patterns, textures, and vibrant colors, creating an eclectic, layered retreat.
Conclusion: Embracing the Grand Millennial Style
In conclusion, the grand millennial style is more than just a trend; it's a way of creating a home that's both beautiful and meaningful. By blending the old with the new, embracing sustainability, and personalizing your space, you can create a home that's not only stylish but also uniquely yours.
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