Bright psychedelic patterns are popular retro designs of the 1960s and '70s.
Colorful, splashy and vibrant, retro bedroom decor offers girls an opportunity to express a bold personal style in their own personal space. Zebra-patterned, faux-fur-covered sling chairs might co-exist with bright orange shag rugs and rainbow-colored bead curtains. From the bright pinks and polka dots of the 1950s through the tie-dyed flower-powered 1960s and glitzy disco 1970s, retro decor can be eclectic and gaudy in color, fabric and design.
Instructions
1950s Era
1. Choose a 1950s theme that suits your girl's personality. A 1950s theme might depict the birth of rock 'n' roll, with the popular pink-painted walls covered with posters of rock stars, such as Elvis Presley, from that era. Your girl might prefer a "bobby-soxer" theme, with pink poodles, ponytails, ribbons, bobby sox and saddle shoes.
2. Select window curtains and bed linens made from natural cotton in solid colors, polka dots or depicting some element of your chosen theme. Look for patterns with little poodles, musical notes, 45-speed records, saddle shoes or Elvis photo reproductions.
3. Decorate walls with a collage of magazine covers and fan and movie posters from the 1950s era. Include Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Rock Hudson, Gregory Peck and Marlon Brando. Find old copies of "LIFE" and "LOOK" magazines at antique stores and estate sales.
1960s Era
4. Choose a 1960s theme to guide your decor colors, designs and accessories. Include elements of the hippie movement or the "British invasion" of musical and fashion talent, such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Mary Quant or Twiggy.
5. Hang strings of multicolored plastic beads from curtain rods to create a 1960s-era window covering. Cover the bed with tie-dyed bed sheets and pillow cases.
6. Mount a display of peace symbols or oversized daisy flowers in bright lime green, sapphire blue, orange, yellow and red on a shelf or head-board. Create a wall collage of posters and album covers from favorite musical or fashion trends from the 1960s.
1970s Era
7. Integrate elements of popular 1970s culture into your bedroom decor. Replace an overhead light fixture with a sparkling disco ball for a 1970s look. Paint walls a glittery silver. Hang sequined curtains in the windows.
8. Place a lava lamp on a bedside stand. Cover the floor in a bright, thick shag rug. Drape a faux-fur animal-skin or psychedelic patterned bedspread atop brightly colored bed linens.
9. Choose wall displays from popular 1970s television shows, such as Scooby or Shaggy from "Scooby Doo" or The Fonz from "Happy Days." Situate a pair of bean bag chairs across from the bed.
Tags: 1950s theme, bedroom decor, Elvis Presley, musical fashion, polka dots