A Once-Popular Décor Aesthetic Is Making A Big Comeback With A Quirky Twist

Sure, we've seen beach-inspired designs take a unique turn in recent years — the coastal grandmother aesthetic and coastal Scandifornia trend are perfect examples. But there's an even more old-fashioned aesthetic making a comeback, and it involves ... sardines? Sure, nautical aesthetics have been popular in home design for a long time. But the world has mostly been focused on traditional beach-themed décor like anchors, beach art, model ships, and maybe a mermaid here and there — not exclusively fish. In 2025, though, the internet is shifting toward a brand new phenomenon: sardine summer.

If you've been browsing home décor aisles lately, you're likely seeing a whole lot of sardine pillows, sardine plates, sardine can-serving dishes, sardine bathmats — the list goes on. The sardine epidemic has been hitting the world of interior design hard, and we have to admit, it's kind of cute. This décor comeback is kitschy, playful, vintage, and totally unique — and it's admittedly pretty easy to blend in with a range of other styles, whether you want an eclectic maximalist décor space or a fish-forward beachy aesthetic. 

The biggest reason why so many people are drawn toward sardine art is probably because it's so unique. It's cute (and somehow even stylish), quirky, and a little silly, and it's not something you would expect to add to your home. A lot of design focus lately has been on self-expression and playfulness within the home, which almost makes sardines make sense. If you don't want to admit you're kind of into "sardine core," then you can just call it "fisherman aesthetic."

Believe it or not, incorporating sardine-themed décor into your space is surprisingly easy. One of the simplest ways to start is by adding a set of sardine dishes into your kitchen. Food-themed dinnerware has been a staple for a long time, so sardine plates won't seem too out of the ordinary. Opt for a few cute appetizer plates to make a statement, or just go for a serving dish to pull out at parties.

If you want to go bigger and bolder, a sardine pillow is a must. Whether you opt for sardines tucked inside a plush, pillowy can or a throw pillow that's straight up shaped like a fish, there's nothing wrong with adding a fishy friend (or three) to your couch for all to enjoy. Throw pillows are easy to swap out, match virtually any kind of décor, and don't take up too much space. You can tie the look together with beach-themed art, a fishing net, or a sea-themed blanket on your couch.

Fully committed to the theme? Sardine wallpaper is a real thing. Add it as a small accent wall to a breakfast nook, or transform your bathroom into a sea-themed oasis. Starting small with these kinds of wallpaper is usually best, since too much of a patterned wallpaper can sometimes overwhelm a space, making it feel small and crowded. But when done right, you'll be able to perfectly toe the line of quirky, strange, and totally stylish all at once.