By Arabella Peterson Bedding 24.08.2025

Not Your Grandma’s Quilt – Why This Heritage Style Is Having a Major Moment

From TikTok to top designers, this nostalgic classic is back in a big way – here’s how to make it work in your space.

Over the past decade, styles like Grandmillennial, Cottagecore, and Rustic Farmhouse have had a hold over those who love classic, cosy, sentimental interiors. Now, in the last couple of years we’ve seen the rise of Dopamine Décor, as younger generations channel whimsy and playfulness in their personal spaces.

While the look and feel of heritage styles and contemporary trends can feel worlds apart, there are a few home accessories that fit naturally across a range of aesthetics. For example, an ornate candelabra would look just as fitting in an Art School Maximalist bedroom as it would in a Hollywood Regency one. The same goes for accent cushions, gilded mirrors, and crystal vases. But when it comes to bedding, quilted designs are universal – they transcend trend cycles and feel at home in almost any interior.

Here, we explore why we’re seeing quilted bedding all over design magazines and the For You Page at the moment, and how to make it work in every space.

1. Heritage meets modernity

Quilts sit at the intersection of nostalgia and fresh design. With grandmillennial style still influencing interiors and a growing number of people embracing ‘heritage-core’ aesthetics, quilts feel like a natural continuation – a way of reconnecting with tradition while styling it in a modern home. Pinterest Trend Data shows that search terms like ‘thrifted décor’ and ‘vintage maximalism’ are up (+283% and +260%, respectively), and designers are noting how retro-inspired spaces are becoming a design mainstay among budding interior enthusiasts.

Styling tip: Lean into the nostalgia without edging into stuffy or dated territory by pairing quilts with contemporary elements like a sculptural lamp, bold artwork, or modern side tables. This will balance homely charm with a fresh, current feel.

2. The rise of ‘craftcore’ and handmade aesthetics

There’s a strong cultural craving for artisanal, tactile, and handmade items as an antidote to mass-produced décor. In fact, Better Homes & Gardens dubbed 2025 ‘the year of the crafty grandma aesthetic’. According to a McKinsey & Co. study, younger consumers are drawn to pieces that feel bespoke – it’s the subtle imperfections of crafted items that signal self-expression and individuality. In this vein, quilts signal care, artistry and story, and have a long association with domestic craft and heirloom traditions.

Styling tip: Highlight the artisanal quality of a quilt by letting it be the hero piece in your bedroom. Layer it on crisp cotton sheets or plain linens so the stitching, texture, and pattern stand out. Pair with other handcrafted touches, like a handmade ceramic vase or woven basket, to create a space that feels collected rather than overly-curated and impersonal.

3. Comfort culture

From ‘sleepmaxxing’ to sleep tourism, 2025 trends reflect comfort and cosiness as status symbols. Quilted bedding offers that extra layer of warmth and softness, aligning with people’s desire to cocoon and rest in style, with their bedroom the central focus of the home.

Styling tip: Layer a quilt over your duvet for instant depth and warmth. Fold it neatly at the foot of the bed for a polished, hotel-inspired look, or drape it casually for a softer, enveloping feel that makes the whole room look more inviting.

4. Cultural nostalgia cycles

As fashion and interiors cycle through decades, the late-20th-century quilt resurgence (70s – 90s homes) is coming back around. Pop culture’s embrace of patchwork, crochet, and prairie influences in both clothing and interiors is reinforcing the quilt as a stylish and timeless piece. Redesign Daily comments on the resurgence of textured styles once considered quaint or old-fashioned like tapestries and patchwork, saying this style is “shedding its ‘craft fair’ reputation and stepping into modern interiors as quiet luxury – infused with folk art sensibility.”

Meanwhile, Interior stylist Mieke ten Have recently told Veranda, “Quilts can be a wonderful foil for another element in the room – whether it be a graphic departure from a floral-leaning space, or a tactile departure for a room that leans more modern and slick. Whatever textile you’re using, you should consider what it juxtaposes, and what secondary or tertiary colors it introduces in the context of the larger space.”

Styling tip: If you don't want to go super-quirky with patchwork, crochet, prairie florals, frills and ruffles, but still want to add visual interest to the bedroom, opt for a two-tone quilt. Turn down the top to reveal its contrasting colour and match it with quilted pillowcases for a coherent yet cosy look.

5. Sustainability and longevity

People are naturally drawn to pieces that feel timeless and sustainable. Quilts, associated with heirloom quality, give the sense of investment in something lasting rather than disposable. Whenever possible, it's always worth investing in high-quality, natural-fibre bedding rather than fast homewares so your home reflects your values and stands the test of time.

Styling tip: Choose quilts in versatile tones that you know you’ll love for years to come so they outlast seasonal trends. Layer them with cushions or throws you can swap out more frequently – this way, your core bedding stays timeless while you refresh the look with smaller, lower-impact updates.