The Color Pairing That Instantly Gives Your Home A Retro '80s Feel

If you grew up in the '80s or have done your research on vintage decor, you must have noticed that you can use color to create a contemporary retro '80s style in your home. Colors like blush and brown can bring stability and warmth, and make your room look effortlessly stylish. There is a reason why these tones work so well together, and part of their appeal is how easily they adapt to every feature of a home.

Interior designer Martin Horner of Soucie Horner describes pink and brown as highly versatile colors that create a classic juxtaposition of light and feminine with dark and masculine. His take on these hues proves that pale, English rose-like pinks paired with rich, copper-toned browns are what gave the '80s interior its character. It is glamorous yet comfortable, bold, but never brash.

This is why entering a room with the combination of blush and brown instantly sparks nostalgia. It captures warmth and glamor with a touch of personality. If you're thinking of reimagining your space to give a direct nod to the '80s, you must consider these colors.

If you want the blush and brown combo in your house to feel authentically '80s, start with the bigger adjustments. Consider adding plush, oversized sofas in rich brown upholstery to your living room, alongside a lacquered coffee table with deep walnut tones. To add that touch of pink, use curtains, layer the sofa with blush cushions, or add an accent chair. This is the decade of color blocking, so don't be shy about letting different shades of pink and brown have their moment.

For an easy upgrade, consider Pantone's 2025 color of the year, mocha mousse. This moody brown color is stunning and can be easily used in your home, and it goes amazingly with blush. With a shade that's between deep chocolate and soft caramel, it adds a layer of refinement to the palette and deepens the retro blush and brown pairing, instantly bringing an edge to the room.

To push the '80s look even further, consider adding a third color. Yellow is a great choice and can transform pink and brown into a luxe palette. It brings a sunny, optimistic note into the rooms and makes the other colors feel more vibrant without being kitsch. This pop of color could be in the form of pillows on a blush sofa, mustard-hued ceramics on a walnut sideboard, or soft yellow curtains on a mocha mousse wall. Together, these colors will feel warm, layered, and full of personality, just like the decade that inspired them.