Grand Millennial Style: What It Is & How to Incorporate It In Your Home
We’ve all heard of design styles such as mid-century modern, contemporary, minimalist, and more, but have you ever heard of grand millennial? While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the grand millennial style has been sweeping the homes of people who are in their mid-20s to late 30s–and for good reason!
What Is Grand Millennial Style?
interior design by Mark D. Sikes
The grand millennial style, a unique blend of traditional and modern, offers a comforting escape from the often stark and impersonal modern design trends. It's a style that combines the classic elegance of yesteryears with a touch of contemporary flair, making it particularly appealing to a wide range of age groups.
Grand millennial is often referred to as ‘granny chic.’ Yes, we’re being totally serious! The creation of the grand millennial style came from people in their mid-20s to late 30s. To easily describe the grand millennial look, simply think about what your grandmother’s house looks like–from bold wallpaper to ruffled linens to lampshades to ceramics and more.
This style celebrates the nostalgic past in a fresh, new way and we’re here for it! It’s essentially a movement that rejects the modernity of so many interior design styles and homes being built nowadays. Grand millennial is an option for anyone who thinks modern or mainstream design trends are cold and colorless.
The Rise of Grand Millennial 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.
interior design by Lea H. Burton
During the pandemic, as people spent more time at home, many sought comfort in their surroundings. This led to interest in the grand millennial 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.
Sustainable Aspects of Grand Millennial Decor
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
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
interior design by Sarah Bartholomew
Now that you know what grand millennial style is, let’s discuss ways you can incorporate this look into your home.
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
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.
Our one-of-a-kind Delft table lamps are made with upcycled Delft ceramic vases and modern lampshades. They’re the perfect combination of old and new without being too modern or minimalist. We offer a wide range of colors and styles to fit in with any grand millennial 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
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.
interior design by Gabrielle Santiago
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.
Personalizing Your Grand Millennial 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.
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!
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.
