5 vintage paint colours making a comeback
Our love for antique shopping is proof that vintage decor never really goes away, no matter how modern our homes become.
While not every property has the bones and beauty of an old-built structure, vintage paint colours are a great option for giving your walls an extra helping of soul.
"When it comes to pulling at visual heartstrings and reminding us of simpler, possibly happier times, colours from the past are the go-to," Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux, tells Country Living.
"With the magical ability to conjure a specific moment and/or place, colour is the time machine we have all hopped on and off – both in our wardrobes and home decorating at some point in our lives.
"Nostalgia is one of the most powerful feel-good tools for interior design because it connects us to life stories that are already written and there is plenty of comfort to be had in the known and familiar."
Keep reading to find out about the vintage-inspired paint colours to have on your radar:
1. Peachy pinks
Peach is making a comeback. A natural progression from classic pink, the experts at Lick suggest picking peach for a vintage decorating scheme. The colour experts at Pantone agree too, naming 'Peach Fuzz' as their Colour of the Year 2024.
"The biggest nod we're seeing to vintage colours is with the peachier pinks, like Pink 13 and Pink 02. They pull on a nostalgic feeling of warmth and comfort that we're craving for our homes," Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick, tells Country Living.
"Not just that but they're incredibly versatile and can be paired with pretty much any other colour (and wood tones) whether you want a more traditional feel with white woodwork, or you want to go bolder with a plum purple ceiling or primary red accent."
If you're unsure about using peach in the home, Tash suggests considering the 'colour drenching' decorating approach.
"Colour drenching, where you paint your walls, woodwork and ceiling in a single paint colour, is a great way to add a more contemporary twist and looks particularly amazing in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms."
2. Powdery yellows
Yellow was once a mainstay of decoration, commonly used during the 18th and 19th centuries to signify opulence and wealth.
While the past few decades have seen yellow fall out of favour with homeowners, Dulux recently named 'True Joy' its Colour of the Year 2025, declaring the vintage colour well and truly back in fashion.
"In the Dulux archive, there are hundreds of colours that conjure up the past in such a powerful way. When we hit the 60s and 70s, we were fearless with colour in our homes," says Marianne.
"Colours like Sweet Citrus and Blood Orange are the original dopamine colours, making them the original vintage colours as they perfectly capture the feeling of joy at a time when being young was so much cooler than being grown up."
3. Soft browns and reds
Adored around the world since the Victorian era, reds and browns evoke the timeless appeal of classic homes. Using these strong tones is an excellent way to make a statement; you could try the colour drenching approach for a powerful punch, or panel an empty wall and paint it red.
"Browns and reds are very common in vintage paints. These colours can add warmth and sophistication to any space. These shades range from deep, earthy tones to vibrant, fiery shades," says Sylvia James at HomeHow.co.uk.
"Victorian paint colours were typically characterised by their deep jewel tones, mustard yellows, and rich browns. These colours create a sense of opulence and grandeur. They reflect the Victorian era's love of luxury."
Meanwhile, Lick named brown as one of their 'new nostalgic' paint colours for their 2025 colour palette. According to Lick's consumer data, the interest in purple and brown paint shades in the home is growing as people tap into a vintage colour palette.
4. Nostalgic 1940s pinks
Pink paint makes a welcome addition to vintage decor. According to Marianne from Dulux, 'nostalgic 1940s pinks' are back in fashion, and perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens alike.
"Powder Colour is a vintage colour because of what it represents – a light warm plaster blush that reminds you instantly of the delicately fragranced pressed powder compact on your Granny's dressing table.
"Meanwhile, DH Blossom is the rose petal rouge equivalent and these two classic hues embody the essence of the 1930s and 40s with the colour representing the need for some glamour and luxury. Still perfect for bedrooms and dressing rooms, these beautiful pinks are also making their way back into living rooms and kitchens where they continue to surprise and delight."
5. Muted tones
Painting walls in unassuming muted tones creates a quiet backdrop for collected objects, such as artwork, antiques and furniture. Stately homes – with their soaring ceilings, oversized portraits and double-height windows – often embrace these muted tones for that very reason.
"Vintage paint colours are often very elegant and evoke a sense of nostalgia. They often feature muted tones and earthy hues, and provide a timeless appeal," says Sylvia.
"Muted tones are usually softer and more subdued compared to the more modern shades. These colours help to create a sense of calm and tranquillity in the home, making them perfect for bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and other spaces where you like to relax."
And it doesn't have to be beige: "Natural colours such as greens and blues are very common when it comes to vintage decor. These colours give us a connection to nature and the outside world."
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