Why typewriters, vinyl records and the like are making a comeback

The vinyl revival was only the beginning. ​“Analog spaces” are among the top interior trends of the year. A dash of escapism and a great deal of intuition: here is how to make it work. The crescendo? A ​“listening room,” much like those curated by Louis Vuitton or Valentino.

Click, clack, click—the sound of vintage typewriter keys at the 25hours Hotel in Munich. Even the words we use: strikinga key! Or the word machine! Ink instead of pixels — it feels incredible. Sitting on a table by the window of a cozy hotel room, the typewriter seems like a relic from another era. One cannot help but run a hand over the cool metal. ​“I can’t believe these still exist,” you marvel, asking your child if they have any idea what they’re looking at. They probably don’t — rumor recently had it that Generation Alpha is increasingly struggling to read analog clocks. So many everyday objects have vanished over the last two or three decades, yet they are returning: Polaroid and Kodak films are back in production, headphones have reclaimed their cables, and vinyl is practically the standard again. And typewriters? Start-ups like Qwerkywriter are releasing mechanical retro-look keyboards. 

However, that iconic click, clack, click—which typewriter collector Tom Hanks once described as ​“mini-explosions” — is missing. Without it, the keyboard as an object in an analog space doesn’t quite hit the mark, despite its charm. In an analog what? We are talking about one of the interior trends of the year, and likely beyond 2026. A room where one deliberately eschews digital devices like TVs, computers, or smartphones to decompress — recharging oneself instead of a VR headset. We all feel the reasons why. The overstimulation, driven largely by social media. Binge-watching and doomscrolling on Netflix, TikTok, and Instagram. And simultaneously, the omnipresent FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) — because theoretically, one could be posting a selfie from Bali or reviewing the newly renovated Hyatt Regency in Nice, just like that influencer did the other day. It’s a bit much hyper-digitalization all at once. The ​“tech neck” sends its regards.

A room like a pause button for life — to read, to listen to music intentionally, perhaps to play a game of backgammon. Vienna-based interior designer Nina Hausott-Eppinger describes it with a fitting analogy: an analog space should feel ​“like a hug.” It isn’t enough to simply remove all screens; rather, this feeling is created ​“through depth — in both colors and materials.” ​“Dark shades of red, brown, or green that ground the room, paired with natural materials like wool, velvet, or linen. Furthermore: wood, stone, and especially cork.” It makes sense: cork dampens sound, improves acoustics, and is ideal for ​“listening rooms.” Moreover: ​“For me, it has a subtle 70s reference; cork conveys that ​‘good old days’ feeling, yet it can be used in a modern and sophisticated way.” Soft, upholstered furniture is also a must. It should be comfortable, ideally featuring a mix of materials and textures that appeal to the sense of touch. For Hausott-Eppinger, who loves to mix ​“character with comfort” and ​“vintage with vision,” the analog alternative is the perfect playground for decades-old side tables, floor lamps, or ​“a family heirloom reupholstered in modern fabric to bring it into the present.”

A factor often underestimated: sound is also a material. The aforementioned listening rooms — where vinyl usually takes center stage — are a concentrate of the current zeitgeist. Pharrell Williams put one on the runway, Valentino installed one in their New York flagship, and hotels like Il Sereno Lago Di Como have ​“Listening Suites” in their portfolio. And when a music producer like Tim Renner designs a small hideaway on La Palma, a vinyl room is unquestionably authentic. Those wishing to recreate this at home and give their living space a new rhythm must invest in technology. ​“Up-to-date” doesn’t necessarily clash with ​“analog.” Devices like the Beosound Level by Bang & Olufsen look like art objects that blend in seamlessly while bridging the two worlds. Hausott-Eppinger agrees: ​“Planning in the background is a must. Those who love music today expect excellent sound. Those who read need precise, warm light. Technology should be invisible, but it must work.” And work it will. Along with the sense of escapism when you retreat into a room where you listen, look, and feel again — a small luxury that gives back the time otherwise lost between screens.

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