This just in: Kitsch decor is making a bold comeback, and it’s bringing with it a charming mix of nostalgia, playfulness, and unapologetic individuality to home interiors across the globe.
In today’s world — one often drawn more to the clean lines of minimalism than patterns and color — the resurgence of kitsch has given design a well-needed shakeup with its vibrant hues and quirky statement pieces. And we’re so here for it!
Although, admittedly, beige is easier to work with, why let your home fade into the background? Whether you’re into pop art, retro vibes, or whimsical trinkets, learn how to transform your home into your happy place with this decor guide from Displate.
What is Kitsch Decor?
First of all, kitsch is an often misunderstood decor style. So, let’s clear some things up before we begin.
At its core, kitsch is an unconventional and quirky design approach that embraces the gaudy and challenges traditional notions of ‘good taste’ by incorporating styles and objects otherwise seen as excessive or tawdry.
Originally, kitsch was a term that emerged in Germany in the mid-1800s to describe mass-produced art that was seen to have little value or sophistication. However, since then, the term has become a widely cherished design style that celebrates what is otherwise thought of as tasteless or lowbrow.
The Kitsch is Back
In recent years, kitsch has developed into a widespread phenomenon in interior design, dominating with its personable, nostalgic, and humorous elements in response to minimalist trends.
While kitsch is most commonly associated with 1950s retro decor, nowadays, modern kitsch draws inspiration from all sorts of influences, namely: pop culture, 1980s maximalism, and even childhood nostalgia.
The Hallmarks of Kitsch Decor
Wondering how to tell if something is kitsch? Use this list of hallmarks as a handy guide:
1. Color: Vibrant, loud color schemes dominate in kitsch, especially neons and bright colors like lime greens, hot pinks, electric blues, and oranges.
2. Pattern: Stripes, polka dots, florals, and animal prints (often used in clashing conjunction with one another) is a staple of kitsch design.
3. Statements: Eye-catching statement pieces like neon signs, animal sculptures, or funny prints are the go-to for kitsch.
4. References to pop culture: Kitsch is all about celebrating the obscure in the every day alongside enjoying mass culture. As such, if there are cartoon-inspired art pieces, vintage movie posters, or vinyl records partnered with the above, it’s probably kitsch.
5. Whimsy: Humour and all things whimsical feature highly in kitsch design, especially items shaped like other things (EG: a banana-shaped sofa, just for fun).
Making Your Home Kitsch
If you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of kitsch design, allow Displate to help.
Firstly, we’re sorry to say that there’s no such thing as ‘dipping your toe in’ when it comes to kitsch. You simply can’t twin a leopard carpet with zebra wallpaper and still be on the fence about wanting to go bold. So, leave your reservations at the door and follow the seven tips below.
1. Find Comfort in Chaos
The first step to achieving effortless, stunning kitsch home decor is changing your mindset. Wipe any notions of ‘too crowded’ or ‘too much’ out of your mind and embrace finding comfort in chaos.
Get in touch with your inner child and get used to matching polka dots with stripes or florals with animal prints. If you’re committing to the kitsch aesthetic across your home and you’re struggling for a starting point, make like a building inspector and grab a clipboard; walk around your home and make a note of any bland ‘dead space’ to liven up. Target these low-energy areas with fun prints, colored wallpaper, or statement furniture to transform them into visually stimulating spaces instead.
2. Experiment With Whimsical Accessories
A huge element of kitsch is leaving judgement at the door and decorating your space with what makes you happy — even if it’s a fridge shaped like a palm tree or a hundred plastic flamingos on your lawn.
Kitsch encourages designers and homeowners to find joy and happiness in what others discount as ‘garish’ and ‘tacky’, which means that it’s time to dig out that collection of oversized novelty dice from the attic and proudly display them on your mantelpiece.
Be bold and think outside the box. Do you need a regular glass vase or a vase shaped like a calculator? Is it standard salt-and-pepper shakers that make your heart sing or ones that slot together like two cherries on a stem? Switching out ‘normal’ items for whimsical versions is an easy way to gradually kitsch-ify your entire home and keep the mood light-hearted and fun.
3. A Touch of Nostalgia
Nostalgia is a major element in kitsch design, specifically mid-century, vintage, and collectable items. So, when you’re planning out your home design, take inspiration from previous decades and make sure you’re paying homage to the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s in your hues and furnishings.
Key items include vintage typewriters, records, musical memorabilia, retro signage, ceramic animal figurines, toasters and other vintage kitchen appliances, and retro floor tiles. Adding these items around your home — especially placing them in close proximity to modern items for a fun juxtaposition — is a surefire way to achieve the coveted kitsch look.
4. Add Thrifted Treasures
Struggling to get your hands on kitsch items? Keen to get original vintage instead of modern reproductions? The thrift store is the place to go.
Remember that kitsch isn’t about value and luxury, quite the opposite in fact, it’s about finding what makes you happy and going against conventional tastes. So, grab a cart and seek out the ‘ugliest’ items you can find — we’re talking brown velvet sofas, a rotary phone shaped like a lipstick tube, and a lifesize terracotta sculpture of a lamb. The quirkier, the better.
5. Bold Primary colors
Next, let’s talk color. With kitsch design, there’s no need to limit yourself to one singular color palette. Instead, open yourself up to using every part of the color wheel for some amazing color contrasts. While kitsch design traditionally favours the bright primary colors, pinks, yellows, oranges, and greens have crept in and added new layers to this aesthetic.
Don’t be afraid to paint your ceiling one color and your walls another color; try color drenching; try alternate corners of color — whatever you like, there are no real rules. If it’s contrast you’re after, though, some go-to combos are hot pink & lime green and bright orange & cobalt blue.
6. Get Playful With Lighting
An often overlooked element of design, lighting has the power to completely transform a space, so prioritise getting the lighting spot on for your kitsch palace.
When you think of kitsch lighting, the last thing that springs to mind is an exposed lightbulb overhead or beige lampshades. Give your guests a reason to look up and marvel at your ceiling with unusual, whimsical lighting choices — from toadstool lamp shades to barbie doll chandeliers, anything goes!
One thing to note, however, is that kitsch design isn’t a fan of the big light; it’s statement lamps, bedside lights, standing lamps, and quirky object-shaped lamps that dominate in this style
Install numerous different lighting options like neon signs or disco balls to truly achieve that kitsch look in your home and function as vibrant conversation starters.
7. Kitsch Posters
Lastly, be sure to bedeck your walls with plenty of on-trend kitsch-inspired art. From quirky visuals of balloon animals to funny animal posters, kitsch knows no limit when it comes to the obscure. At Displate, we have an impressive collection of kitsch-style metal posters in our archives, including everything from retro diner signs and music posters to neon surreal designs and cheeky catchphrases.
Whether you’re looking to add a touch of nostalgia to your walls or you’re on the hunt for a playful, statement piece to hang above the mantelpiece, our kitsch collection is brimming with bold, colorful options to wake up your space.
Get Kitsch with Displate
Explore our kitsch collection today or venture a little further to supplement your wall art with beautiful pieces from our animal, music, cartoon, and TV show collections. In the meantime, for more interior design tips, be sure to keep up with the Displate blog to always stay on-trend.
