Decor & Styling

This Nostalgic Trend Is the New “Coastal Grandma”—Here’s How to Get the Look in Your Home

written by SARAH LYON

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Source: Ryann Miller | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Source: Ryann Miller | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Move over, coastal grandma, and say hello to eclectic grandpa, the latest nostalgia-fueled style taking the design and fashion world by storm. According to a Pinterest trend report, “grandpacore,” so to speak, is majorly in vogue, which makes total sense, given that vintage finds, academia-inspired accessories, and menswear fashions have experienced a major resurgence for the past several years. Bring on the cardigans, retro patterns, and leather accessories! This trend isn’t just for your wardrobe, however. In fact, we’d argue it’s even more fun to work into your home. Read on to learn all about this 2024 trend and how to pull it off in your space.

Source: @home_ec_op

What Is the Eclectic Grandpa Trend?

Is it weird that the first person I pictured when I heard the phrase “eclectic grandpa” is the Grandfather character from The Parent Trap? I mean, he’s just the epitome of this aesthetic. Always smartly dressed in some sort of thick knit blazer, he spends his days reading the newspaper in a wood-paneled study filled with books (with a crystal decanter nearby, because obviously). His character is just the right amount of quirky without being overly so.

To translate that same vibe into your home, it’s all about warm wood tones, vintage finds, classic patterns, and accessories that tell a story. Basically, you can think of the eclectic grandpa style as being coastal grandmother’s funkier, more masculine cousin.

How to Get the Grandpacore Look in Your Home

If you’re eager to embrace this look in your home, here are some of our favorite ways to lean into the eclectic grandpa aesthetic.

Drape a plaid blanket over the sofa

If there’s one pattern that just screams eclectic grandpa, it’s plaid. For an easy, inexpensive way to introduce this pattern into your home, pick up a plaid throw blanket to drape over your sofa or at the end of your bed. Even better if you order one with your monogram, given that there’s nothing more grandpa-like than monogrammed linens.

Quince
Italian Cotton Plaid Throw

3 colors available

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Mark and Graham
Italian Plaid Throw Blanket

10+ colors available

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Work dark wood tones into your home

Dark, rich wood tones are an eclectic grandpa must. To lean into this look without buying all new furniture, start with a classic wooden tray with a bit of funky flair. Use it to organize your work-from-home station or place it on your dresser to house perfumes and everyday hair and makeup products.

West Elm
Modern Marquetry Wood Tray
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Kate and Laurel
Mid-Century Wood Tray
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Jazz up your sofa with sweater-inspired pillows

Every eclectic grandpa has a soft spot for a good sweater. When shopping for throw pillows, look for cozy sweater-like materials like wool, woven knits, or embroidered designs. For an even funkier touch, the Etsy find below featuring the Ralph Lauren Polo bear is about as eclectic grandpa as it gets—it will surely be a conversation starter and will cozy up your space in an instant.

Pottery Barn
Pendleton Yakima Stripe Lumbar Pillow

3 colors available

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Etsy | BergenStreet
Vintage Reclaimed Polo Bear Print Throw Pillow
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Wayfair
Woven Throw Pillow
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Target
Windowpane Woven Throw Pillow
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Style a leather valet tray

Vintage leather and eclectic grandpa style simply go hand in hand, and a leather valet tray is the perfect way to try out the trend. Take to the flea market (or just Etsy!) in search of a piece that you’ll be excited to style on your desk or an entryway table. These are great for corraling small items like your keys, jewelry, lip balm, and more.

Pottery Barn
Leather Catchall Tray

2 colors available

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Etsy | KarlVonArtistry
Monogram Leather Ring Dish

10+ colors available

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Decorate with vintage ashtrays

If you’re anything like me, you aren’t a smoker but absolutely love keeping ashtrays on hand throughout your home regardless. We all know that any eclectic grandpa loves a good ashtray, too, so it’s time to build out your collection while embracing this style trend. I personally use ashtrays as bases for candles (they make your average vessel look extra luxe) and place them on my nightstand to corral jewelry or on my coffee table to hold matchbooks and other small trinkets. Etsy is a great place to browse for vintage ashtrays of all kinds. These look like they could’ve actually belonged to your grandfather at one point (in the best way possible, of course).

Etsy | RehomeVintageGoods
Vintage Ashtray Set
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Etsy | AandJVintageShop
Vintage Square Ashtrays
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Display a large trunk

The grandpacore life involves lots of slow mornings spent at home with plenty of reading material. If you want to go beyond a classic magazine rack, stash your magazine collection inside a vintage-looking trunk or one made from woven materials (these are also great solutions for shoe storage, extra linens, small purses, you name it). Pretend it’s a piece that’s lived inside of your apartment for decades on end—it beats any modern acrylic bin.

Wayfair
Solid Wood Blanket Chest
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World Market
Dark Brown Storage Trunk
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