Young people everywhere are turning their noses up at the repackaged flatpack furniture and falling in love with grandmillennial style. Sometimes called “granny chic,” this style is a return to the romance of classic heirloom pieces of the past, while still holding onto the clean lines and comfortability of the present. Dubbed grandmillennial by House Beautiful’s Emma Bazilian for its marriage of the two styles, it’s a beautiful way to blend the old and the new.

Throughout the internet right now, you’ll find influencers and Instagrammers in their 20s and 30s debuting their homes decorated in chintz and florals, harkening back to a more classic era. Many say it is a rejection of the all-white rooms and neutral palettes they see in modern designs in favor of something a lot more personal. This generation grew up with an influx of mass market produced goods and cookie-cutter design, and often longs for the unique and beautiful.

What is the grandmillennial aesthetic?

Grandmillennial style evokes home; more specifically, a classic grandmother’s home. Designs often play on nostalgia and traditional elements, bringing in vintage pieces with other more modern designs. This also allows the younger generation to proudly display heirloom pieces passed on to them while still showing off their own style. Grandmillennial style is china displayed on open shelving. It’s needlepoints with swear words and internet memes. It’s for those who embrace tradition while still allowing for change, which is why it tends to ring true for many millennials.

However, don’t think of overflowing shelves of long-forgotten kitsch when you think of grandmillennial style. Above all things, the style requires restraint and a keen eye, and is said to exist in the juxtaposition between minimalism and maximalism. Since it is a play on old trends, rather than a copy, Grandmillennial style pulls in one or two pieces from a style to match with more modern furniture design. A beautiful floral print may be used on the window treatments or some throw pillows, but not on every fabric in the room. Editing is key.

What furniture goes with the grandmillennial aesthetic?

Since the style is a bit more edited and intentional, it’s also cost effective for a generation that is still struggling financially. Granny chic rejects the old notions of an entire room set, matching every piece of furniture with another. Instead, lovers of the trend mention that every piece is intentional, and tells a story. Grandmillennial utilizes that one piece you just fall in love with and have to have, and complements it with other unique, not necessarily matching, items. That’s why many combine thrift store and estate sale finds with vintage-inspired items and unique investment pieces found at furniture stores.

What colors and patterns are popular with grandmillennial design?

If you’re interested in trying the grandmillennial design trend in your own home, there’s plenty of inspiration online right now. It’s perfect for those who love vintage pieces but don’t love the stuffy feel of an old sitting room. Incorporate floral prints, wicker, chinoiserie, and other classic patterns and materials.

Wallpaper, especially wall paper with busy and tight designs, is making a comeback as well. Focus on layers, not clutter, to accomplish that perfect blend of vintage timelessness and your own personal style. Unlike the all-white kitchens of last year’s Instagram, grandmillennial style loves color, even if they lean towards more muted tones. Blues and greens are frequent in a lot of these designs, especially the dark blue of classic china. And don’t forget the needlepoint! Since a classic staple of the grandmillennial style is a fresh twist on an old classic, many lovers of the style have been showing off their intricate, bold, and sometimes explicit new needlepoint designs.

Like many current designs, grandmillennial style does something that younger generations are especially good at: blending the old with the new to create something entirely different, and beautiful. Bring grandmillennial design into your home no matter your generation and fall in love with timeless pieces that never go out of style.