What does Retro mean?

The question of what retro means is asked quite often when there are dozens of decoration trends such as rustic, vintage, art deco, which continue to increase their popularity today. Retro style, which is one of the decoration styles with its own rules and lines, gives a nostalgic look to the past. So what does retro mean? How was the history of the term retro, the starting point of retro decoration and its development over the years?

What Does Retro Mean? 

In order to answer the question of what does retro mean, it is useful to go down to the root of the word. The word retro evolved from a Latin preposition meaning "back" or "behind" to the French word "rétro". It is associated with nostalgic or old-fashioned designs, especially regarding clothing and decoration.

In English, “retrograde” is only synonymous with retro. It also reflects its backwardness in the literal sense of the word: backward movement refers to such behavior that is occurrence, action, or especially the opposite of ordinary action.

Retro also means "backward", "from a certain date in the past". The word can also be used as a term to describe the previous work of artists. Retro is also used for a phenomenon that occurred in the past through "looking back" but still has an effect.

Retro Style in Decoration

Retro style can be defined as “a style that consciously derives from or imitates trends, trends, fashions or attitudes of the recent past”. It usually means a history of at least fifteen or twenty years.

For example, clothes from the 1980s or 1990s can be retro. Retro style is an outdated style or fashion that has become fashionable again. The word "retro" represents a movement towards the past rather than a progression towards the future and requires a nostalgic point of view towards the past in designs.

Retro pieces don't have to be old; They may be brand new. But it needs to be done in the style of the time or item they are trying to copy.

Retro Style in Furniture

The retro trend first emerged in the Scandinavian countries and began to dominate the 1950s and 1970s. Retro is short for "retrospective" and means to remember the past. Therefore, such designs and furniture have a nostalgic feature but still have the flexibility to evolve according to the modern trend. Today, retro is a combination of classic and modern elements. It carries the traces of the past and spreads a sense of originality and modernity.

Retro style is closely related to personal tastes. A retro piece may be appealing to a person for a specific and hidden reason or may inspire feelings of nostalgia. When designers, manufacturers, and customers talk about retro furniture, they're often referring to a style of furniture that pays homage to styles popular years ago.