Archie Hayes In 2025, housing trends feel like the future has finally arrived. Retro-futurism, a design trend rooted in 1960s and ’70s visions of tomorrow, is making an eye-catching return, only this time, it’s more than just aesthetic. According to lead designer Eliza Chen of Future Heritage Interiors, homeowners across America are embracing “nostalgic time machines calibrated for the future,” blending pod-like furniture with OLED panels and lava lamps that double as voice-activated smart hubs. “We’re seeing clients specifically request designs that channel the optimistic futurism of the 1960s and 70s, but with contemporary functionality,” explained Chen. Today’s home is a high-functioning blend of style and substance, where technology enhances design rather than interrupts it. If you’re designing or upgrading your home with this in mind, here are four futuristic gadgets you should consider integrating into your modern living space, all cutting-edge, all unapologetically sleek.
The Shark Cordless Vacuum: A Futurist’s Cleaning Companion
A clean house is a modern house, and nothing complements futuristic design like streamlined, no-fuss technology. The Shark WV201 ION W1 Cordless Handheld Vacuum doesn’t only clean up your mess; it also looks good doing it. With a svelte, graphite finish and a profile that weighs only 1.4 lbs, this vacuum is engineered for both form and function. Its tapered nozzle makes quick work of crumbs and debris, whether on hardwood floors or sleek, high-gloss furniture. Even better, the ION Charging Dock keeps it perpetually ready for spontaneous cleanups, fitting seamlessly into a minimalist interior without adding visual clutter. What sets this apart from standard models is its design harmony with retro-futurist aesthetics. Think: something that wouldn’t look out of place in a Kubrick film. In homes where every corner counts and pod-shaped seating, curved walls, and warm lighting dominate, this standout model from the Shark cordless vacuum collection becomes an essential accessory. It may be a cleaning device, but it behaves like a piece of functional sculpture.
The Cube Heater: Minimalist Warmth with a South Korean Soul
Most space heaters are an eyesore, but the Cube Heater by Jang Junyoung is a masterclass in understated beauty and technical precision. Inspired by clean lines and monochrome palettes, the Cube Heater gadget reflects the best of South Korean design: simultaneously minimalistic and expressive. Its geometric silhouette is divided into two distinct parts: the top block radiates heat, while the translucent lower base gently diffuses the glow from an LED, indicating whether it’s on or off.
This heater can provide warmth while still visually aligning with your modern space. The cloudy plastic base acts as a futuristic visual cue, offering a low-key ambiance perfect for evening lounging. Whether placed under a vintage steel-framed desk or beside a bubble chair, the Cube Heater becomes a conversation starter. And in the world of retro-futurist living, where every object is chosen with intention, that’s exactly what you want from a temperature control gadget.
The Hisense Vidda C3 Pro: Your Cinematic Future Awaits
Futuristic homes call for futuristic entertainment. The Hisense Vidda C3 Pro home projector transforms any wall into a high-resolution viewing portal, leveraging the brand’s Trichroma laser technology for remarkable color fidelity. Boasting 2,800 CVIA lumens of brightness, this device renders HDR content with crisp contrast and saturated tones, a dream setup for those obsessed with home theater that doesn’t look like a tech bunker.
Its throw ratio, between 0.9:1 and 1.5:1, means you can cast a 100-inch image from just over six feet away, making it ideal for tight urban lofts or open-concept mid-century homes. Unlike bulky flat screens, this Hisense home projector blends into the room when not in use, preserving your aesthetic vision. With a 1.67x zoom range and optical resizing, it adapts to your needs without distorting image quality. If you can build a space where OLED panels are framed like art and speakers are hidden in architectural niches, this projector is the missing piece for a fully immersive yet beautifully cohesive experience.
LG Smart Lamps: Tech That Grows with You
Gardening and smart tech might seem like an odd pairing until you meet LG’s 2025 Smart Lamps. Debuting at CES 2025, these floor-standing innovations are equal parts light fixture, vertical garden, and AI gardener. At first glance, the lamp’s design is minimalist and elegant: a tall pole structure with a ring light and built-in mood lighting. But look closer, and you’ll find an integrated gardening base that can hold up to 20 plants, alongside a 1.5-gallon reservoir that automates watering for up to a week.
These lamps make growing herbs and flowers indoors nearly foolproof. The height-adjustable lights provide targeted rays for optimal plant growth, while a mobile app lets you monitor progress and tweak settings, even while you’re sipping cocktails in another city. For retro-futurist homes that already feature organic curves, pastel tones, and multi-functional furniture, LG’s smart lamps add a layer of eco-conscious innovation. It’s a functional centerpiece that can enhance your vision.
Here’s To a Beautifully Designed Future
Today’s smart homes reflect our desire to harmonize innovation with nostalgia. The resurgence of retro-futurism is an effort to build on the dreams of the past with the tools of the present. Whether you’re vacuuming with a space-age handheld, warming your feet beside a designer heater, projecting cinema-level visuals onto your walls, or growing basil under a digital sunbeam, the future of interior design is immersive, intentional, and irresistibly stylish
