Retro & groovy: must-have design classics

2. Cherner's chair

The walnut Cherner armchair (£1045) from The Conran Shop is top of our wishlist. The original, designed by Norman Cherner in the late Fifties and made from a single piece of bent solid beech, is revered in galleries and design collections worldwide. Modern versions are made out of sustainable timber.

Shop the UK's largest selection of armchairs.

3. Bright lights

Get colourful with the late designer Vernon Panton's flowerpot pendants (£138) from Unique. Designed in 1968 in Denmark, these lamps bring life back to the flower power generation. Panton's strikingly white Panthella table lamp (£450) from Skandium is equally impressive. Made from steel and injection moulded acrylic, the well-balanced hemispherical shade is totally on trend.

4. Shagadelic walls

Groove up your walls with bold vintage statement designs. We love the iridescent inks of this retro Raffles wallpaper (£97) from IE… Wallpaper. Or bling up your home with their metallic inks branch wallpaper which will command attention in any setting. Austin Powers eat your heart out.

5. Legendary literature

There is no underestimating the importance that designers Charles and Ray Eames held in the interiors industry after World War Two. Get clued up on these American icons with this nostalgic book, Charles & Ray Eames (£14.99), Ediciones Poligrafa, January 2008. If you can't own the rocker, at least you can read about it.

Five designs to watch

1. Kid rock

Why save chic design for adults? Start 'em young say Thorsten van Elten and Alexander Taylor (well, at least that's what their trendy children’s rocking chair suggests). Kids-Rock (£235) from Nest is beautifully crafted out of English oak and rubber, and is available in four pastel colours. An heirloom in the making.

2. Concrete crockery

For mealtimes with a graphic difference, look no further than People Will Always Need Plates. Their Ain't concrete great? collection (from £25) looks back at London's best architecture from the Toast-Rack to The Barbican. Dishwasher and microwave safe, this bone china will be a talking point at any gathering.

3. Stack ‘em high

Portable, stackable, lightweight and stylish, it’s no wonder that the birch plywood museum stool (£159) from Thorsten van Elten is on our watchlist. Designed by Ruud Jan Kokke for the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, it replaced the permanent furniture that was often in the way. Museum visitors can carry one round to sit wherever they please.

4. Hilton Hunk

Matthew Hilton’s furniture is held in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, which goes some way to explaining his vast following. Hilton's solid oak cross extendable dining table (£1450) from Heal's opens at the top to extend to fit all your friends. The more the merrier.

5. In tune

The 1950s inspired Roberts Revival radio (£100) from Holloways of Ludlow is an iconic design brought up to date with a vibrant new colour range. Even Cath Kidston has got in on the act with her Roberts limited edition washed roses DAB radio. Play that funky music.

Looking for other trendy furnishings? Check out these bright spring ideas or look to the junk yard for yesterday's old parts turned chic.

Retro revival or simply past its sell-by date? Join our Funky Furniture group and let us know what you think about retro.