Year of the Crafty Grandma Aesthetic: 6 Style Tips

This summer has been all about cozy charm, nostalgic touches, and homes that feel lovingly lived-in—with a fair share of craft nights. Enter the Crafty Grandma Aesthetic, a trend that’s dominating interiors with its mix of handmade details, vintage treasures, and playful patterns. Think crocheted throws, floral wallpaper, quilted textures, and shelves lined with thrifted finds. It’s equal parts sentimental and modern, blending old-fashioned comfort with fresh, personal style. 

Ready to make grandma proud? Here are a few designer-approved tips for achieving this aesthetic in your home. 

1. Source Vintage, Handmade Items

The Crafty Grandma Aesthetic is all about cultivating a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere—so incorporating vintage and handmade pieces is key. Cookie-cutter, mass-produced decor? Grandma says it’s out. Authenticity is at the heart of this charming look. 

“Begin with cherished family heirlooms and seek out vintage finds that genuinely resonate with you,” says Julia Newman, founder and principal designer of Julia Adele Design. “Try to steer clear of mass-produced pieces made to look old—they rarely capture the charm of the real thing.”

Resist the urge to add vintage or thrifted pieces purely for the sake of filling it. Just as imitation antiques won’t resonate like the real thing, neither will a home full of pieces that don’t carry any sentiment or meaning. Fewer, more intentional picks are always better than a space that doesn't showcase who you are.

2. Embrace Crafty DIYs

It wouldn’t be the Crafty Grandma Aesthetic without some crafty DIYs. If you love this look, chances are that you also love grandmacore hobbies and crafts, so don’t be afraid to display your completed projects with pride. Break out the handmade throw pillow covers, embroidered wall art, knitted and crocheted throw blankets: Grandma would be proud. 

3. Layer Textiles with Intention

Vintage-inspired quilts, lace-trimmed curtains, woven blankets, and embroidered pieces are quintessentially grandmacore. However, when added without care, they can easily make a space feel cluttered and chaotic. The key, Saab notes, is mixing them with clean-lined furniture so the space feels pulled together, not crowded.

“Try draping a hand-pieced quilt over the arm of a tailored sofa or topping a sleek console with a finely crocheted runner, so the softness plays beautifully against the structure,” she says.

4. Stick to Quality Natural Materials

For a space that feels authentic, try sticking to high-quality natural materials. We may live in a time where cheap plastic items, knockoffs, and dupes are everywhere—but grandma didn’t. Back in her day, furniture was made to last. Decorative items were crafted with care. Additions to the home were heirloom quality. Things were meant to stand the test of time, and they usually did. 

Keep this in mind when choosing furniture and decor for your space. When possible, go with wood or metal over plastic and natural fibers over synthetic materials. Opt for quality over quantity, and don’t be afraid to source some genuine vintage and antique pieces to bring the look home. 

5. Try Pattern Mixing

Patterns are undoubtably having a moment, and so is pattern mixing. Designers love layering multiple patterns to bring depth, personality, and visual interest to a space, and it fits right into the Crafty Grandma Aesthetic. To pull it off, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind, the most important being to vary the scale of the patterns you combine.

“Pattern mixing works best when each print has room to shine,” Saab says. “Pair one small floral with a mid-scale stripe, then anchor them with a solid that repeats one of their colors. This trio feels balanced and blended, adding depth without overwhelming the eye.”

6. Create Juxtaposition with Modern Accents

To nail the Crafty Grandma look without tipping too far into kitschy territory: Balance the old with the new. Not everything in your space needs to be unique or secondhand. Using clean lines and the occasional modern accent can create juxtaposition and a place for the eye to rest, says Sallie Lord, founder and principal designer of GreyHunt Interiors. This allows you to lean into the vintage vibe while still keeping the design current and relevant.