The uniqueness of the 80s interior design trends can’t be overlooked. Vibrant colors, wacky patterns, and feathery haircuts were popular back then. The phrase “has an 80s style” will immediately bring up certain images. Bright colors, graphic patterns, and geometric shapes became popular during the 1980s.
Characteristics of the 1980s Interior Design
- The 80’s interior design had a variety of bright colors that included turquoise, yellow, and orange.
- Polka dots, stripes, rhombuses, and squares were a solid geometric interior design trend from the 1980s.
- The furniture was deep, with comfortable seats, wide armrests, and low-profile legs.
- The lampshades were mounted on tall stands.
- The walls had good wood paneling or geometrically patterned wallpaper.
- There were also large portraits and paintings all over the place.
How to Recreate the Look in Your Home
With the help of fashionable little objects, you can portray the atmosphere of the ’80s decor in your home. Geometric designs on wallpaper, upholstery and interior textiles are a signature aspect of the 1980s interior style design. Flowery motifs, floral designs, and a paisley pattern were all popular. Houses were also decorated with paintings, posters, and sculptures.
Here are more details about the 80’s interior design style that you can incorporate into your home today.
When Incorporating 80s Decor Style Make Use of Pastel Colors
The best thing about the 1980s was how different many of the design trends were. The mood of the 1980s influenced interior design trends. Bold tones and brightness were frequently combined with soft, elegant lines and colors.
Pastel enthusiasts saw no problem with painting the entire house a light blue or green color. Purple and pink extras were also very popular. If neon and bold colors aren’t your thing, you can try pastel. To embrace this whimsical side of the 1980s, paint a wall a soft blush color and add pastel blue throws or pillows.
Think About Memphis Style
Memphis Design is the way to go if you want your home to be a conversation starter. This was an Italian design style that began in 1981 in Milan. It embraced all things that were bright, abstract, and loud.
People gradually began to prefer brighter and more interesting options as a result of the fight against minimalistic design solutions. That’s how a “rebellion” movement in the field got started.
In the 1980s interior style, neon lights, large patterns with curved edges, and unusual geometrical furniture configurations were popular. Original Memphis pieces can be quite pricey.
In a modern home, you can use abstract-inspired art and pillows as well as vibrant colors throughout the textiles to incorporate elements of Memphis Design.
Walls Made of Glass Blocks
It’s impossible to discuss 1980s decor trends without mentioning glass-block walls. Glass-block walls were stylish in the 1980s style. They were sometimes used in place of regular windows or shower walls. Other times they were installed on interior walls to let in more light.
They brought both style and functionality to a home, with the latter being that they let natural light in without being completely transparent. They were also more energy-efficient than the usual window. Many people today actually consider glass-block walls to be an antiquated design element.
However, in the late 2010s, they began to make reappearance in both residential and commercial establishments.
Sofas With Lots of Depth
Sofas of the 1980s were low, deep, and bold. Comfort was the name of the game when it came to sitting. The sofas would be covered in florals, rich velvets, or eccentric checks. This is something that’s surging again. This 80s element is honestly worth considering if you’re in the market for a new couch.
Although mid-century lines are tidy, they aren’t usually as comfortable as a slouchy sectional straight from the 1980s. Instead of doubling down on the 80s interior, it’s probably best to go for something solid like cotton, linen, or wool for the purpose of longevity.
Tropical Plant and Prints
The plant craze started far back in the 1980s, and once it did it was visible everywhere. In the 1980s, tropical prints and patterns were popular, as were tropical plants. Houseplants, particularly artificial plants, had a significant moment in the 1980s interior.
The styles from the 1980s appeared fake and collected a lot of dust. They were also not as high-quality as today’s imitation plants. As a result, this tendency has a poor reputation today. However, the trend’s attitude was all about bringing greenery into your home.
If you ever needed an excuse to buy more houseplants, here it is. The huge palm plant will give your home serious tropical sensations. If the real plants are too much work for you there are plenty of fake plants that look and feel the same.
Furniture Made With Lucite
This is a design trend that began in the 1980s and has never truly gone away. In the 1980s, there was a rebirth of interest in Art Deco style, and clear furniture was a big part of that.
Instead of the glass furniture of the 1920s, Lucite dominated the 1980s selection. Lucite and acrylic plastic were created in the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1960s and 1970s, they became popular as furniture materials. But it wasn’t until the 1980s that clear furniture reached its pinnacle of appeal, with Lucite as the preferred material.
Textiles
Textiles were very common in the 1980s. They were used in curtains, bedspreads, pillows, and wall-mounted textile panels. In every living room, there was a plush carpet. Imitation fur, plush, velvet, and artificial leather were used in upholstered furniture.
A floor carpet in a bedroom, living room, or kitchen will be an interesting accent to a modern 1980s space in a retro design. These might be little or huge rugs with ethnic designs in simple or pastel colors.
Bedding and Curtains With Floral Prints Are the Charm
Upholstery in the 1980s was all about floral prints. Floral and chintz patterns could be found on bedding, couch and chair upholstery, draperies, and accent furnishings. Florals were frequently used throughout the room, from the drapes to the rugs, as well as chintz wallpaper, lampshades, and furniture. Ruffles were frequently paired with floral designs throughout the 1980s, making this trend even more outrageous.
Liven up a Room with Neon Lights
It’s difficult to think about the 1980s without conjuring up thoughts of neon lights and vibrant tones. However, just because the neon era is over doesn’t mean we can’t embrace this vibrant aesthetic now. Hang a neon sign or decorate it with neon colors to give more nostalgia to your area.
Vintage Lighting Was Integral Part of 80s
Chrome-plated metal and plastic were the most frequent materials used to make lamps in the 1980s interior style designs. In the reading area, there were popular lava lamps and arching floor lights. Lamps on a huge metal pedestal with a voluminous lampshade could be found in almost every living room in this style.
When incorporating this style in your home, don’t be afraid to mix and match lamps of various types and shapes. Chandeliers, cords, and tassels, floor lamps, lampshades with hanging fringes and sconces are some common examples. These devices will give warmth and comfort to the room by softly diffusing light.
Metal lamps, sconces, and floor lights with hinges and a flexible pipe became popular in the 1980s, and they are unquestionably relevant again.
Lace Curtain Designs Were Widely Favored
Indeed, lace curtain designs were very popular, especially in the bedroom. However, their practical benefits were not as obvious as those of other options. One of the reasons why this trend remains to this day is because it combines tenderness and beauty.
Cabinets Made of Lacquer
The 80s decor style was all about the materials used in your kitchen. Stainless steel appliances and granite counters are trendy minimalist and attractive solutions these days. Lacquer units, on the other hand, reined the kingdom in the 1980s, and the shinier, the better. Because of the characteristics of this finish, it made the space appear brighter by increasing light reflection.