Step aside coastal grandma and say hello to eclectic grandma, the latest nostalgia-filled style taking the design and fashion world by storm. According to Pinterest's trend report, so-called “grandpacore” is all the rage, which makes perfect sense considering vintage finds, scholarly accessories, and menswear fashion have made a huge comeback over the past few years. Bring on the cardigans, retro patterns, and leather accessories. But this trend isn't just for your wardrobe. In fact, we think it's even more fun to incorporate it into your home. Read on to learn all about this 2024 trend and how to bring it to life in your own space.
What is the Eclectic Grandpa Trend?
The first thing that came to mind when I heard the phrase “eclectic grandpa” was Parent TrapI mean, he's the epitome of this aesthetic: he's always dressed in what looks like a chunky knit blazer, and he spends his days reading the newspaper in his book-filled, wood-paneled study (with a crystal decanter nearby, naturally.) His personality is just right, quirky without being too eccentric.
To bring that same vibe into your own home, you'll need warm wood tones, vintage pieces, classic patterns, and accessories that tell a story. Essentially, you can think of eclectic grandma style as a funkier, more masculine cousin of coastal grandma style.
How to achieve the Grand Pacore look in your home
If you're looking to incorporate this style into your home, here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate an eclectic grandpa style aesthetic.
drape a plaid blanket over the sofa
If there's one pattern that epitomizes the eclectic grandma, it's plaid. For an easy and inexpensive way to bring this pattern into your home, buy a plaid blanket to drape over the end of your couch or bed. Even better, order a monogrammed blanket, because nothing says grandma like monogrammed linens.
Bring dark wood tones into your home
Dark, rich wood tones are a grandma's must-have. To embrace this style without buying all new furniture, start with a classic wooden tray for a slightly funky feel. Use it to organize your work-from-home space or place it on top of your dresser to store perfumes, daily hair care products, and makeup products.
Liven up your sofa with sweater-style cushions
Every eclectic grandpa loves a good sweater, so when shopping for cushions, look for ones in cozy sweater-like fabrics like wool, woven knits, or embroidered designs. For a funkier touch, the Ralph Lauren Polo Bear found on Etsy below is the epitome of eclectic grandpa. It's sure to be a conversation starter and will instantly cozy up your space.
Leather valet tray in style
Vintage leather and eclectic grandpa style go hand in hand, and a leather valet tray is a great way to try out the trend. Hit the flea market (or hit Etsy) to find some pieces you'll love displaying on your desk or entryway table. They're perfect for organizing small items like keys, jewelry, and lip balm.
Decorate with vintage ashtrays
If you're like me, you're not a smoker, but you still crave ashtrays throughout your home. We all know that a jack-of-all-trades loves a good ashtray, so embrace this style trend and add to your collection. I personally use my ashtrays as candle bases (making plain vessels look even more luxurious), I keep them on my nightstand to display jewelry, and on my coffee table to hold matchboxes and other small trinkets. Etsy is a great place to find all kinds of vintage ashtrays that look as if they once actually belonged to your grandpa (in the best way, of course).
Etsy | RehomeVintageGoods
Large trunk on display
Lazy mornings at home with plenty of reading material are an essential part of the Grandpa Core life. If you want more than a classic magazine rack, store your magazine collection in a vintage-inspired trunk or a woven trunk (these are great solutions for storing anything, like shoes, spare linens, small handbags, etc.). Imagine if it had been in your apartment for decades. Better than a modern acrylic box.
