Grandmacore chic: adopt the "grandma's" decor without cluttering your living room
For the past few months, sofas covered in throws, plush rugs , slightly antique wooden furniture, dried flowers, and tableware reminiscent of Sundays at grandparents' house have been popping up everywhere. This trend has a name: grandmacore . It's the unapologetic "at grandma's" aesthetic... but when you try to recreate it at home, you can quickly end up with clutter or a "dusty attic."
The goal of this article is simple: to show you how to achieve a chic, grandma-style living room . In other words, how to maintain the warm, comforting, and nostalgic feel of a home while keeping it visually appealing, harmonious, and pleasant to live in every day. We'll discuss colors, rugs, curtains, antique furniture, and family heirlooms, but always with concrete explanations and clear steps.
Summary
- 1. Grandmacore: where does this "grandma's" style come from?
- 2. Why the grandmacore is making a strong comeback
- 3. The three pillars of a chic grandmacore
- 4. Rugs, curtains and textiles: the foundation of the cocoon
- 5. Antique furniture, modern pieces: finding the right mix
- 6. Building a Grandmacore living room step by step
- 7. And in the bedroom or the kitchen?
- 8. Common mistakes to avoid
- 9. Quick checklist for a smooth start
1. Grandmacore: where does this "grandma's" style come from?
The word grandmacore comes from "grandma" (grandmother) and "core" (a universe, a style). Behind the somewhat playful term lies a real underlying trend: a return to interiors that seem lived-in, full of life, far removed from ultra-minimalist photos where everything is white, smooth, and perfectly tidy.
In a grandmacore interior, you often find elements that evoke a family home: a thick rug under the coffee table, a wooden sideboard full of dishes, heavy curtains, dried flowers, a knitted throw draped over the sofa, a fabric tablecloth rather than a bare table. You see traces of everyday life: an open book, a cup, a photo frame, a small lamp illuminating a corner of the room.
What changes with the "grandmacore chic" version is the intention. It's not simply about accumulating "old-fashioned" objects. It's about choosing, arranging, and simplifying certain things so that the living room remains bright, airy, and cohesive. The goal isn't to recreate Grandma's house exactly, but to preserve what warms the heart: the textures, the memories, the visual appeal.
2. Why the grandmacore is making a strong comeback
This resurgence is no coincidence. For several years, minimalism has been presented as the absolute ideal: few objects, very clean lines, very neutral colors. It looks beautiful in photos, but many people have realized that, in real life, these interiors can seem cold or impersonal.
At the same time, recent years have reinforced our need for comfort at home . We spend more time in our living rooms, we sometimes work remotely, we host family gatherings, and we need an interior that provides reassurance. The grandmacore responds to this desire: it adds texture, memories, and visible signs that the room is meant to be lived in, not just photographed.
Finally, there's real pleasure in giving a new home to family heirlooms or vintage finds: a slightly outdated vase that suddenly becomes charming, an antique tablecloth, an armchair inherited from grandparents. Here again, the secret is to maintain control: just because an object is old doesn't mean it has to be on display. Hence the importance of having a few simple rules.
3. The three pillars of a chic grandmacore
To help you find your way, you can keep three main principles in mind. They will serve as a guideline whenever you hesitate in front of a rug, a curtain, or a piece of furniture.
- The color palette: choose a few warm shades (beige, linen, terracotta, brown, old rose, sage green…) and stick to them, rather than mixing everything.
- Materials and textures: prioritize what makes you want to touch (wool, thick cotton, velvet, wood, ceramic), especially through textiles: rugs, curtains, cushions, tablecloths.
- The readability of the room: leave calmer areas (light walls, large plain surfaces) so that the eye can rest, even if you have patterns and objects.
If you feel something is "off" in your living room, look at it through these three lenses. Are the colors harmonious? Is there enough warm texture, or is everything too sleek? Can you still sense the space, or does every inch draw the eye?
4. Rugs, curtains and textiles: the foundation of the cocoon
In a chic, grandmacore interior, textiles are the easiest starting point. They transform a room without any construction work, and you can adjust them over time. Three elements play a central role: the rug, the curtains, and small textiles (throws, cushions, tablecloths).
4.1. The rug: anchoring the room and warming the floor
A well-chosen rug instantly changes the perception of a living room. Even if your furniture is very simple, a warm rug gives the impression that the sofa area is "set up," as if it were placed on a comfortable island.
In a grandma chic style, a rug can be:
– Plain but textured : for example, a looped wool rug, a light Berber rug, a large cream rug with very subtle patterns. – With a traditional pattern : a modern take on a Persian rug, a medallion rug, a rug with stylized floral patterns, or a kilim with slightly distressed geometric patterns.
The idea isn't to have the most spectacular rug, but one that complements the rest of your decor . If your curtains and cushions are already very colorful or floral, choose a more subdued rug. Conversely, if everything else is very understated, a patterned rug can become the statement piece that adds character.
A rug in the Grandmacore style
4.2. Curtains: Enveloping without suffocating
Curtains are often overlooked, yet they contribute enormously to the atmosphere. A simple pair of heavy curtains that reach the floor can make a room twice as warm and inviting.
For a grandmacore look, consider curtains in thick cotton, velvet, or lined linen, in warm shades: natural linen, ecru, dusty rose, gold, terracotta, or sage green. They can be plain or slightly textured. Floral patterns work very well, provided they remain within a coherent color palette.
If the room is small or lacks light, there's no need to choose very dark curtains. You can keep light colors, but opt for a denser fabric and a fuller drape, so as to maintain that cozy feeling without darkening the space.
4.3. Cushions, throws, tablecloths: the detail that makes it feel "at home"
This is often where the grandmacore effect comes into play: a knitted throw draped over the sofa, two or three embroidered cushions, a cotton or linen tablecloth on the table, a patterned table runner. These are elements that are easy to change, but that immediately tell a story.
To avoid creating a "giant patchwork" effect, a good strategy is to mix a few statement pieces (for example, a very floral cushion, a checkered tablecloth, a textured throw) with simpler elements: plain cushions, linen napkins, discreet slipcovers. This way, you achieve that impression of richness without losing coherence.
| Element | "Too retro" version | Grandmacore chic version |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | Small dark rug in the middle of the floor, heavy pattern | Large rug that encompasses the sofa area, warm or natural color, legible pattern |
| Curtains | Short curtains, shiny fabric, very busy patterns | Long curtains, matte or slightly textured material, colors coordinated with the rest |
| Cushions | Ten different cushions, with no connection to color or style | 4–5 cushions, all in the same color scheme, one or two bold patterns, the rest plain |
| Tablecloth | Plastic tablecloth with large, aggressive-looking flowers | Cotton or linen tablecloth, soft pattern or solid color + elaborate table runner |
5. Antique furniture, modern pieces: finding the right mix
The grandmacore style doesn't require replacing all your furniture with solid oak cabinets. On the contrary, the style becomes interesting when you mix a few antique pieces with more modern elements . It's this contrast that gives the room the impression of having a history, while still feeling contemporary.
For example, an antique sideboard can sit alongside a very simple coffee table, a dining table with clean lines can be dressed with a traditional tablecloth, and a modern sofa can be softened by embroidered cushions. The key is deciding what to keep, what to alter, and what to leave out.
If you've inherited a piece of family furniture, start by taking an honest look at it. Is it in good condition? Do you really like the color, or is it too orange, too bright? Is the piece so imposing that it overwhelms the room? Depending on the answers, you can simply enhance it with a nice fabric, change the handles, or, on the contrary, decide that it would look better elsewhere and that it doesn't necessarily belong in the center of the living room.
| Type of furniture or item | What can be done to modernize it | Impact on the grandmacore style |
|---|---|---|
| antique sideboard | Replace the handles, add a table runner, simplify what is displayed on it | It becomes a central piece, but visually lighter. |
| Very modern coffee table | Place a nice tray, a few books, a candle, a small lamp | It blends into the grandmacore universe without needing to be replaced |
| Neutral sofa | Add rugs, textured cushions, and a textured throw | The sofa becomes a support for the textiles, no need to change it |
| Open shelf | Sort the objects, group them by theme, leave empty spaces | Allows you to display souvenirs and dishes without creating a cluttered look. |
6. Building a Grandmacore living room step by step
Now let's get down to something very practical: how to transform a rather cold living room into a chic, grandma-style one, without a complete renovation. The idea is to do it step by step, in a logical order, and not by buying everything at once.
You can start by observing your living room as if you were a visitor. What do you see first? The bare floor, a slightly neglected sofa, a very empty wall, overly harsh lighting? Take a photo: often, what you don't see in real life is striking in a picture.
The first step is usually to place a suitable rug . If it's the right size, it will instantly bring the sofa area together. Once you have that rug, imagine where fuller curtains would fall around your windows. Even if you don't change them right away, you can already visualize the effect.
Next, focus on the sofa area . Instead of cluttering the coffee table with small items, concentrate on a few key pieces: a pretty lamp, a book or two, a vase, a tray. Add a throw blanket over the armrest, and two or three cushions chosen from the same color family as the rug or curtains. At this point, the living room is already starting to take on a different look, even if the furniture hasn't been moved.
To add that "grandma's house" touch, you can then incorporate family mementos and objects : a framed photo, an antique pot, a metal box, a small embroidered tablecloth under a vase. The idea is to display them rather than scatter them everywhere. A console table with three or four well-chosen items will be more impactful than an overloaded shelf.
7. And in the bedroom or the kitchen?
Grandmacore isn't limited to the living room. In the bedroom, a few simple touches are enough to create a cozy atmosphere. A large rug at the foot of the bed or two accent rugs on either side, a fairly simple bed linen set complemented by a patterned bedspread or quilt, a warm bedside lamp, one or two framed pictures on the wall or an embroidery… The same principle applies: textiles, textures, a few carefully chosen objects, but nothing excessive.
In the kitchen or dining room, style is largely defined by the table and tableware . A fabric tablecloth, even a very simple one, instantly changes the perception of the room. A flat rug under the table (easy to clean) can add warmth without being intrusive. A china cabinet or a few open shelves allow you to display cups, bowls, and carafes, but only if you rotate what's on display: there's no need to show everything at once.
You can also play with everyday gestures: a bread basket, a slightly old-fashioned utensil holder, a hanging linen tea towel, a kettle on the countertop. This ties in with the idea that the room should feel functional , not static. Grandmacore isn't a theatrical set; it's an aesthetic that should be lived in, with objects that are truly useful.
8. Common mistakes to avoid
The biggest pitfall of a grandma-style home is quantity. We sometimes associate "at Grandma's" with "it's everywhere," but that's not what creates a warm atmosphere. On the contrary, too many objects can make the room tiring to look at. If you feel your gaze wandering, unsure where to focus, you've crossed the line into a comfortable space.
Another common mistake is piling up heavy furniture : a massive sideboard, a large dark table, a very full bookcase, an imposing armchair… In a small space, this can create an overwhelming feeling of density. It's better to keep one or two statement pieces, then lighten the rest with lighter surfaces, bright textiles, and perhaps a slightly less imposing wall.
Finally, some people get carried away with patterns: flowers, checks, stripes, toile de Jouy, all at once. Here again, the question to ask yourself is simple: which pattern do you want to be noticed first? If everything is vying for attention, nothing really stands out. It's better to choose one main pattern (rug or curtains, for example), then a few more subtle accents.
9. Quick checklist for a smooth start
- Grandmacore chic is not about "keeping everything," but about choosing better what you show.
- Start with the large items: rugs and curtains , then the smaller textiles.
- Mix a few antique pieces with simpler furniture, rather than making everything uniform.
- Group your objects into small scenes rather than spreading them out everywhere.
By following these principles, you can gradually transform your interior. A more generous rug, enveloping curtains, a few well-chosen textiles, objects with a story, and a little decluttering of what you display: that's enough to go from a somewhat cold living room to a chic, cozy haven . The idea isn't to change everything overnight, but to add layer by layer, like layering throws on a sofa to make it more inviting.