Grandmillennial Style | EZ Living Interiors

One of the headline aesthetics of the moment, Grandmillennial is an interiors trend that steps away from minimalism and straight into the arms of exuberant maximalism. This playful yet classy departure from understated, refined styling is a nod to time spent at home in the relaxed, relatable sophistication of days gone by. Read on for the EZ Living Interiors guide to Grandmillennial Interior Style.

Reference shabby granny chic but keep it fresh

Grandmillennial is absolutely a refreshed incarnation of ‘Granny Chic’ or ‘Shabby Chic’ but it’s definitely neither dowdy nor stuffy. Vogue Living writes that the Grandmillennial definition reflects the past reimagined for modern times. “A portmanteau of ‘grandmother’ and ‘millennial’, this style is full of pure nostalgia for what many would describe as ‘traditional’ or even ‘old fashioned’.” While the trend celebrates vintage and heirloom pieces, what makes it current and distinctive is thoughtfully investing in eye-catching pieces that are carefully styled together to make a home feel very ‘lived-in chic’.

Know the foundation elements for this twenty twenties aesthetic

Grandmillennial style might seem busy or even cloying yet the visual motifs and styling tenets actually harken back to pre-technology, design-driven serenity. Even when the overall look is eclectic, every single piece has been deliberately chosen to finish the space and keep rooms timeless rather than on-trend.

Nine elements informing Grandmillennial style:

Styled cosiness for everyday comfort and easy entertaining
Soft, retro and preppy design lines
Velvet and fabric upholstery
Natural and lighter-toned woods, raffia and wicker
Generous use of colour with cohesive palettes
Indulgent textures
Botanical feature pieces
Wallpaper, tapestries and framed artwork
Inviting accessories and objects: armchairs, side tables, trays, vases and lamps

Keep Grandmillennial spaces flowing and avoid fuss

Anyone interested in Grandmillennial style should remember one key interiors rule for this trend: maintain flow to avoid fuss. This ensures you are minimising any feeling of oppressiveness or overwhelm for both you and anyone visiting you. You should be striving for the overall combination of furniture and décor to make the statement so exercise restraint and prioritise flow as much as possible.

The following three aspects contribute to flow in a home

Colour Palette: Use colour liberally and keep it complementary. It shouldn’t be dramatic clashes or abstract standalone hues that dominate the room. Many Grandmillennial homes veer towards the shades you see in nature such as wildflower pinks, ocean shades, wood tones, and foliage greens. In this vein, the Quincy Fabric Sofa range is designed for everyday use and is available in a range of peaceful, pleasant colours.
Furniture Height: Consider vertical impact and choose low, elegant pieces that promote airiness as you will have décor elements including wall art to contend with. Balancing the height of furniture, hangings and side pieces is important with all design but particularly with Grandmillennial spaces. Low benches like the Marlow Fabric Ottoman are a stunning addition to any room.
Mirrors: Add dimension with reflective surfaces that will be your secret weapon for mitigating any sense of clutter. Tall or oversized mirrors contrast beautifully with lower furniture and the Self Tin Bronze Mirror in an antiqued metal finish would be perfect in an entryway.

Quincy Fabric Sofa

Marlow Fabric Ottoman

Self Tin Bronze Mirror

Essential accessories for a foundation of Grandmillennial style

Accessories shine in Grandmillennial interiors as they bring splashes of effortless formality married with grown-up whimsy. Even so, these accents form the foundation of curated rooms and need to be judiciously chosen. Don’t be afraid to edit down and take a ‘some but not all’ approach to styling the accents. For example, a rug has a place in all homes although keeping it toned down in a natural shade with subtle texture like The Braid Large Hand Made Rug will elevate all other pieces in the space. From here, embrace throws and cushions in every room to create a welcoming atmosphere. We adore the floral motif of the Miravel Rose/Teal Cushion and the snuggly weave of the Anoki Ocher Grey Plaid Throw to layer on dining chairs, sofas, beds and more. Wallpaper is another facet of Grandmillennial that is widely used; however, you could try a tasteful, nature-inspired gallery wall as a lovely alternative that you can update with the seasons. The Olive Grove Art Frame range can have pride of place on every wall with the watercolour prints contributing a soothing quality to the room. A finishing touch that references the outdoors is living, dried or replica foliage. Plants and flowers help make homes a wholesome oasis and can be living decorations. If you aren’t all that much of a green-thumb, the Artificial Fern Pot is reliably easy to care for and housed in a charming, unadorned planter.

The Braid Large Hand Made Rug

Miravel Rose/Teal Cushion

Anoki Ocher Grey Plaid Throw

Artificial Fern Pot

Grandmillennial pieces for living rooms

The most stylish Grandmillennial living rooms have a warm and relaxing vibe. Start with seating that allows people to make themselves at home. Rather than oversized corner sofas, many Grandmillennial living rooms use a range of smaller sofas, benches and chairs so that everyone can gather round. The Willow Green Velvet 2 Seater Sofa is one of our most beloved pieces in a glowing, deep forest green. The pleating details showcase another ‘Granny chic’ aspect of the Grandmillennial style with a return to intricate furniture upholstery. Paired with armchairs like the Santorini Swivel Chair, your living room will be hard to leave. Continue with this colour story with the Dutch Green Shade Ceramic Base Lamp on a side table or mantlepiece. Gather your guests around the neat, earthy geometry of the Indus Rustic Oak & Peppercorn Coffee Table and you will have a show-stopping living area that still feels homely.

Willow Green Velvet 2 Seater Sofa

Santorini Swivel Chair

Dutch Green Shade Ceramic Base Lamp

Indus Rustic Oak & Peppercorn Coffee Table

Grandmillennial pieces for bedrooms

Design your Grandmillennial bedroom to be a haven at all hours. Start with a fabric bedframe made from a breathable linen upper in a heritage design. The Darcy Fabric Chesterfield Bedframe is a glorious piece with a scroll head and luxurious padding so you can recline with a cup of tea or read by candlelight. Gather extra throw rugs like the Halo Cloud Throw for the bedroom and then store in a blanket box. The Bergen Acacia Wood Blanket Box is an homage to retro design that you can place at the foot of the bed or along a wall. The parquet pattern and brass effect legs are truly charming. Another nostalgic feature for a Grandmillennial bedroom is a dressing table suite. The Hampstead Grey and Pale Oak Dressing Table is sure to be a piece that encourages slow mornings and evenings. This darling set has plenty of practical details that mesh classic elegance and modern function. Finish the space with an Amando Glass/Bronze Table Lamp that is inspired by traditional lanterns. Whether placed on the dressing table or bedside table, it brings a reassuring, ambient glow to the entire bedroom.

Darcy Fabric Chesterfield Bedframe

Halo Cloud Throw

Bergen Acacia Wood Blanket Box

Hampstead Grey and Pale Oak Dressing Table

Amando Glass/Bronze Table Lamp

Grandmillennial pieces for dining rooms

Grandmillennial touches in a dining room make total sense as it’s a trend derived from the days of regular entertaining and gatherings. Your anchoring furniture is a dining table that either feels like it has been handed down over the generations or you are buying it with this in mind. The Tirano Acacia Dining Table is a stately design with a patina and joinery reminiscent of time spent making jam and savouring morning teas. Balance the homespun charm of an heirloom-style table with an Oledo Green Velvet Dining Bench and Artisan Cream Fabric Dining Chairs. This mix of fabrics juxtaposes the homespun character of the Tirano table for a setting that will feel mellow and informal. For storage, the Belgrave Wide Sideboardis a slimline piece full of flair that can house vintage crockery, glassware and table linens. Lastly, let there be light with the Palm Antique Bronze Floor Lamp. Not only does this floor lamp add depth with glamorous kitsch, we think this design encapsulates the trend completely. The Grandmillennial approach is hip, innovative and only limited by your imagination yet entirely about you being surrounded by pieces you treasure and enjoying your home every single day.