Are Tissue Box Covers Outdated, Or Making A Retro Cool Comeback?

As trends like grannycore and cluttercore become more popular, it's no surprise that more retro accent pieces are also having another moment. While aesthetics like the '70s interior design is making a big comeback, it's smaller ornaments like doilies and tissue box covers that are making the biggest impact in an understated yet retro way. You may remember these from visiting your grandparents or aunts and uncles: covers made from yarn or ornate gold panels to cover standard Kleenex cardboard that could clash with a home's aesthetic. While the tacky yarn designs of old may not be making a re-emergence (think mustard yellow and brown color palettes), the idea of covering up loud logos and boring brand artwork could help create a stylish retro vibe in your home that brings in a more fluid layout, too.

Just like ditching the tissue box and trying a DIY cover to make unique dispensers, decorating the cardboard box is a great way to elevate a necessary household item. Why invest in a tissue box cover or create your own? Just like with other decor, these ornaments can really make a room or surface pop with a dramatic or understated feature. It's the small details that can really make a big difference in a space, so while it may seem like an unassuming tissue box won't affect your layout, this could be the one thing adding unnecessary visual clutter. The type of cover you use will also make an impact, as fabric or embellished selections can bring texture and dimension while colorful options help to pull a palette through in a subtle way.

You can make your own tissue covers if you prefer, or buy them online to match your aesthetic. To make your own retro yarn version, grab some plastic canvas sheets and either yarn or string in your preferred colors, then use yarn needles to cover the canvas sheets in your materials. Trim the plastic to fit along each side of your tissue box, ensuring to leave the bottom open so you can simply slide it on. Once you've filled in all the tiny squares on the sheet with your yarn, you can sew the edges together to create your box shape. Get as creative as you want here: the key is to embrace the retro yarn vibes while still using colors or even patterns that match your home's aesthetic. You can glue on embellishments or other elements to make the piece pop even more.

If you prefer the hard covers, you may want to try and thrift one or give a DIY version a try. Plywood or plastic can work as your base, which you can sand, stain (for the wood), or paint (for both materials), then add embellishments, small pieces of molding, or even just hand painted designs. Mod Podge is another good option for these materials, and will give you a retro finish using various papers, stickers, and anything else you want to use to cover the hard box. Or why not try a reversible tissue box holder to switch up your home's style whenever you want? Made of fabric, these are great for incorporating more than one print.

Retro styles and items have come back into fashion within home decor because of their unique and their textured elements that bring interest to a room. Just like when you organize a pantry or cabinet in your kitchen and decant things to help make everything more uniform, covering up the cardboard of your tissue box can ensure that a space flows more efficiently and doesn't seem too cluttered. However, you want to base the materials you use off of your existing decor. If you already have a minimalistic aesthetic, don't opt for a super busy print or design that will clash. These covers are meant to be an understated way to help your tissues blend with the room rather than drawing attention thanks to their generic materials. Don't choose colors that are hard to match to, either. 

It is also important to make or buy a tissue box cover that is both simple to take on and off and to clean. While you may not be able to wash it like other items around the house (in the machine or under the tap), tissue boxes can breed germs, but the covers help with this. For this reason, try to opt for harder materials, which can be wiped down with sanitizing sheets, or fabrics/materials that can be sprayed with disinfectant. Avoid materials that fall apart or get ratty over time too, as this can make your box seem dated and will need replacing more than other sturdier options.