The Retro Edit: 6 Vacation Homes with Charming Retro Décor

We believe it’s important to preserve the old summer homes that are still standing. That’s why we’ve put together a selection of some of our finest nostalgic retro homes to inspire you—perhaps for decorating your own summer home, or perhaps for your next vacation. Some are preserved pockets of time, while others reflect a love for a bygone era with a contemporary twist. However, they all share a special soul and charm that’s hard to replicate in newly built homes.

You can also find more inspiring summer homes in our collection of summer homes from the ’60s and ’70s.

1. A Cool and Stylish Time Capsule from the ’70s

The interior design of Monique and Martin’s summer house here is stylish and well-preserved, making it feel almost like stepping into a summer house from the ’70s. The kitchen’s wood paneling and details—like the old clock, retro tableware on open shelves, and vintage trays from the ’70s—create a perfect atmosphere that’s both cohesive and cool.

> We’ve had our lovely summer house for six years and have wanted to preserve the original ’70s style from the very beginning. That’s why we haven’t done much other than furnish it to suit our needs.

In addition to the classic wooden walls in warm tones, there’s the most beautiful vintage wallpaper in the bedrooms, which emphasizes the retro feel of the house. The preserved cabinet doors in the bedroom and kitchen also help give the house its character. The decor is rounded out by the large rice paper lamp, which adds a minimalist touch, and classic design lamps by PH and Verner Panton.

The hosts suggest that, close to the vacation home, you’ll find one of the country’s best restaurants, Tinggaarden, which also has a farm shop offering fresh croissants and cinnamon rolls. And there are many charming trails in the area, some of which lead down to Lake Arresø.

2. A 1960s Gem from Childhood

Marianne’s summer house is an architectural gem from the 1960s, situated on a large, beautiful natural lot right on the shore of Lammefjorden. The house has been in Marianne’s family since her childhood, and whenever it has been renovated, it has always been done with the utmost respect for the original architecture and the era in which it was built. As a result, the interior clearly reflects a love for the ’60s—with a touch of more modern and contemporary elements. The kitchen, in particular, with its old wall-mounted faucet, is charming—and one of the elements you can easily preserve if you have an old summer house of your own that you want to renovate.

> The summer house at the tip of Svovlsbjerg is the epitome of my childhood.

3. Colorful Retro in the Heart of Cold Hawaii

Do you love bold colors? Rasmus’s summer house is located in a small fishing village with views of beautiful treetops, right in the heart of Thy National Park and Cold Hawaii, and it could have been taken straight out of a movie set with its playful, vibrantly colorful retro vibe.

In addition to the classic ’70s chairs around the dining table—which add character to the decor with their bold colors and organic shapes—it’s especially the vintage lamps and posters on the walls that create the playful ’70s vibe in the vacation home. Topped off with a retro sofa and colorful knick-knacks, the decor itself is a treat for anyone who loves ’70s retro trends.

The blue-painted door in the entryway is a lovely detail that you can easily recreate in your own summer house.

4. Subtle Nostalgia in “Retrohytten”

Retrohytten, as Rikke and Lars call their lovely old summer house from 1967, is located near Sejerø Bay, and as you can see, the kitchen in particular is completely retro with its beautiful old tiles. I don’t know about you, but I get a really warm, nostalgic feeling when I look at it. The rest of the house has a more subdued style, but I still find the house inspiring because of its original, well-preserved kitchen. If you’re planning a summer house getaway, this might be the perfect spot if you’re into a touch of nostalgia but aren’t into that cigar box vibe.

5. Charming ’50s Scandi

Painted floors have been a trend in Scandinavian homes in recent years, and in Cecilie and Bo’s tiny summer house, they’ve created a very special atmosphere by combining the charming old kitchen—complete with its vintage stove—with light blue floors. The warm wood tones paired with the blue accents give the summer house a truly charming retro vibe.

Here, Cecilie and Bo have mixed classic and personalized furniture with thrift store finds, Danish-designed lamps, and delicate details. This gives the summer house a cozy, homey ’50s vibe that feels a bit more contemporary than kitsch.

6. ‘Cigar Box’ Style with Charm

White-painted wood has its charm, but sometimes nothing beats a stylish brown cigar box. Of course, it helps that many of these houses were designed by architects, but there are still plenty of things you can do yourself in your retro summer house—whether architect-designed or not—if you aren’t lucky enough to have a completely original summer house with its original interior but still want to highlight the style of your home.

For example, you can go a long way with the right lamps—Danish design, flea market finds, or rice paper lamps, for instance. If your summer house is from the ’70s and features many straight lines, round, white pendant lamps often create a beautiful look. They add a much-needed touch of white and minimalism to the rich, brown surroundings, and their round shape complements the more angular features of the cottage.

Many of the vacation homes in our ’70s collection are wonderful examples of the vacation home style with brown walls—and we love them! That’s why I’m going to sneak in a bonus example: Morten and Cecilie’s lovely vacation home here.

Morten and Cecilie have also succeeded in creating a truly wonderful retro vibe outside, where a fringed parasol sets the tone on the patio and an old boat serves as a charming sandbox. Feel free to share this hack!