Does life seem a little complicated right now? You’re not alone. These days, just about every generation is feeling some nostalgia for simpler times. And while there have always been people drawn to retro kitchen items and home décor, the trend is even more prevalent as more consumers are seeking comfort from the past.

Even (Especially) Gen Z

This isn’t just a trend for older people. True, seniors have lived through more than the rest of us. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more nostalgic.

Adults of all ages are gravitating toward retro home products that remind them of simpler times, especially of when they were kids. Take, for example, the fact that adult consumers have been a driving force behind toy and game sales recently. In the first quarter of 2025, toy sales for adults (ages 18+) grew 12% over the same time period in 2024, making it the fastest growing age demographic in the market, according to Circana.

In particular, Gen Z is leaning into physical books and photos, digital cameras and record players. According to ContentGrip, “For a generation managing their personal brands across multiple platforms while navigating an overwhelming news cycle, there’s something deeply appealing about eras when phones were just phones and social media didn’t exist.”

Home Décor

As maximalist decorating styles become more popular, it’s easy to find room for home décor that reminds of us of days gone by. (See our recent post on the Messy Girl aesthetic.)

According to House Digest, nostalgia décor is all about consumers putting more emphasis on how their home spaces make them feel…instead of how they look. “The result is character-filled spaces with the warmth of simpler times, and with one-of-a-kind items that prioritize personality over muted color palettes,” says Kristy Bowen.

Nostalgic home décor might include retro color choices like mustard yellow and olive green, or a patchwork of different items from different eras. Items can simple and/or relaxing and might be cozy (like the Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Skillet Clock from Lodge Cast Iron) and even downright silly (like the talking Bob Ross Clapper from Joseph Enterprises).

Kitchen Items

When it comes to retro home products, kitchens are perhaps the biggest place in the house especially ripe for opportunity. After all, that’s one room that can spur memories like no other…whether it’s the look of a kitchen from our youth, the taste of a family recipe or the smell of grandma’s cookies.

Nostalgic kitchen items can be functional, decorative or both. For example, this retro-looking microwave from Nostalgic Products is actually completely modern in terms of how it works. This cozy mug styled after the TV show “Friends” (from Silver Buffalo) can be used for display just as well as it offers a comforting embrace as you drink your coffee.

Keep in mind that the current nostalgia trend is not just reserved for long-ago decades. Gen Z is probably just as nostalgic for the last 5-10 years as seniors are for the 1950s. The 80s and 90s are especially popular in fashion right now, and different age groups may just as easily gravitate to items that remind them of the 60s or 70s, which represent different phases of their lives.

Discover more about the featured products by clicking the images below.