32 '80s Home Decor Trends That Are Begging For A Comeback

Throughout the years, homes have witnessed their fair share of decorative trends. And every decade brings its own look. While there are many outdated ideas we never want to try again, there are some great picks from forty years ago — the 1980s. From glass block walls to curved furniture, here are some of the best '80s home decor trends that are begging for a comeback.

As an age known for its eclectic music scene, bright, neon colors, and the rise of pop culture, this decade saw a variety of decor designs and items. It was a time when people were pushing the limits, getting bold and creative with their postmodern design choices. And while there was a vibrant and daring combination of hues and patterns, there was still a hard drive for luxurious comfort, leading to some interesting combinations and outcomes. There were many styles that some of us fondly look back upon or totally question what we or our families were thinking. Like with anything, trends come and go, but we're going out on a limb stating these decor trends need to come back, but in many cases, with a modern twist. The likes of wicker furniture and bold wallpapers can be incorporated into modern decor for a balanced mix of vintage and contemporary designs.

More was everything in this decade, but also keeping a home a home was imperative. Thus, the creation of cozy maximalism. While it may seem like clutter, you are instead making thoughtful decisions on items that bring you joy, add value to your life, provide warmth, and integrate comfort. You want to develop a sense of the space being lived in and welcoming with every item you bring in. Feel free to mix around with textures, patterns, colors, contemporary items, and vintage finds.

While the '80s were all about maximalism, it also needed some functional simplicity. And they got the best of both worlds by having built-in gadgets. These useful tools ranged from toasters to mounted can openers and were typically installed on countertops or walls. While you won't want to do this with all your gadgets, some of your favorites or most used, like a refrigerator, would be a personalized feature in your home. Plus, you can find something more modern that matches the colors and fixtures you already have installed.

While many homes have horizontal blinds, vertical versions are a tubular option that graced homes decades ago, especially with vinyl materials. And luckily, there are a ton of modern, vertical blinds that you can install, including motorized, automatic versions that you can control with a remote, smartphone app, or smart home integration system. During its peak, bright, stark white was the color choice, but now, there are other options, ranging in different hues and materials, like fabric, wood, and faux wood.

During this era, woven pieces were all the rage, with many homes having some sort of rattan or wicker pieces. And this style and material weren't just for baskets — it was all over the furniture. From indoor and outdoor versions to glorious headboards, it was a creative yet durable sight to see. While you can find modern rattan and wicker material items, there are many vintage or thrifted finds that are not only calling your name, but also saving your wallet some serious money.

A decor trend that was all over the era was the Memphis style. Beginning in Italy, this look transpired as an artistic expression in a home. It challenged the typical style norms by including pops of colors and geometric designs. As the polar opposite of minimalistic and futuristic designs, Memphis looks centered around combining Art Deco and pop art, building a look that many may think is clashy or overwhelming. To incorporate this today, be mindful of where you add it, leaving it to a room or even an accent piece, instead of your entire home.

Glass block walls, especially in the bathroom, were a must-have feature for many '80s homeowners. Once installed, it allowed natural light to come through without the worry of any eyes peeking through. While it died down for a few decades, this is a look you should truly consider in your home. It doesn't even have to be left just for the bathroom. Create an accent decor piece by installing it near a sunny or small window. You can even just pick a wall and go to town, making it your own with these blocks.

Anything seashell-themed is an '80s decor trend that deserves to escape the bathroom. This is an easy style choice you can bring back to your home, especially if you already have a beach or nautical theme. Seashells also bring a sense of serenity and peace that can integrate depth and texture into your space. Plus, it can be an affordable decoration idea if you are down for some seashell hunting at the beach. Just make sure to properly clean any shells you bring in from outside.

This decade was known for its colorful, bold shades, and that included the carpets and rugs. It wasn't out of the norm to find a bright green rug or a funky-designed carpet print in a home. After the '80s, this trend faded away to the neutrals you may be more familiar with, but now it is a great way to provide warmth and personality to your home. What's even better is that you can find rugs all over the place, giving you the opportunity to find the perfect option that speaks to you.

Ceilings are getting a bold makeover with this stunning design trend from the 1980s — wallpaper. While you can place it in any room, it will make a statement in your modern home when you strategically pick the spot you want to install it. For example, it can be a fun way to incorporate a focal point or accent in a bathroom or dining room. Choose from numerous patterns, styles, designs, and colors. And if you're artistic, some places, like Tempaper & Co., let you design your own wallpaper. Just follow all of the directions for the wallpaper you choose.

In the '80s, bigger meant better, and that included plants. There would typically be a large, statement green addition in a bathroom that would provide elegance and bring a touch of the outdoors in. However, this trend isn't just for the bathroom these days. Instead, you can put a large plant just about anywhere you want as long as it comfortably fits. Also, remember to get the right size planter and to follow all of the care and maintenance instructions that come with your pick.

Take a blast to the past during the period of greed with curved furniture. Not only did it look different than the average angular piece, but the curved edges also brought a sense of peace and calm to your space. You'll find that these furniture items also mimic the body's round shape, making it a more comfortable sitting zone. To elevate it in your space today, pair it with features that have more defined angles and lines, creating a pleasing amount of contrast.

Enjoy a touch of the '80s by incorporating pop art in your home. By this decade, the art style had transformed into neo-pop, a form of pop art, focusing more on the social, political, and pop culture views of the age. Popular artists who created paintings, sculptures, and other decor you should look out for include Jeff Koons and Keith Haring. Taking a note from its predecessors from the '60s, you can do the same with your modern version of neo-pop art as well.

Let your home feel like a vacation paradise with tropical prints. In this vibrant era, many people decorated their homes with fun, vacation-themed items, like palm trees, leaves, flowers, and exotic animals. Easily integrate it into your own home with tropical plants and flowers, earthy neutrals, and pops of bold colors. A few quirky vintage finds or even photos are other seamless ways to add it to your interior realm.

During this time, cozy cottage-style kitchens were all the rage, and we couldn't be more willing to try this trend in our own cooking spaces. There are so many ways to incorporate this look into your home today, starting with the ever-so-popular mushroom trend, making it easy to find accessories. During this era, many quirky cottage items came about for your kitchen, including cookie jars, linens, platters, and more. 

A fun decor trend from the '80s that people should revisit is canopy beds. Framing your sleeping zone with curtains and drapery integrates a level of elegance into a room. You can even easily DIY a canopy bed, whether you already have a tall bed frame you can attach linen to or you suspend it from your ceiling, letting it cascade over your sleeping chambers. This style is popular in nurseries and children's rooms, so you'll need to carefully install it, following all instructions, and provide extra safety measures.

In the '80s, there were many statement lamps that are now quirky vintage decor items you should look for at the thrift store. From martini glasses to seashells, there are a variety of lamps from this bold era. You can find your next retro statement lamps either for your table or on your floor. If you're worried about outdated electrical wiring, there are a ton of funky yet stunning, modern, statement lighting sources you can choose from.

Clear furniture, produced under the brand name 'Lucite,' is an interesting style that can be a cool retro look in your home. Made from a strong, durable acrylic, it became a replacement for glass because it doesn't yellow over time and is scratch-resistant. Many people placed it in their homes during the '80s. It eventually died out, but it's due for a comeback, even if it is just a pop of it on furniture legs. If you end up with Lucite furniture, remember to still clean it with a soft rag, plastic polish, and a cleaner.

Incorporate the grace and sophistication from this period with glass shelves. During this time, installing glass shelving was a classy method to integrate opulence or even display some of your most valuable statement pieces. These days, you can integrate these glass shelving units in a multitude of ways, whether you install floating shelves or set up a glass display case in your home.

A totally radical decor trend that needs to appear in more homes is geometric patterns. From squares to triangles, there are many shapes you can incorporate in your home's aesthetic, whether that is through wallpaper or artwork. To keep it modern, you can be strategic with colors, sizes, and overall patterns. Just remember that you don't want it to be overwhelming or clash with the other features around it.

Retro technology is begging to make a comeback in modern-day homes. At an age when exciting things were happening, there were many worthwhile technological advances. Some types of vintage tech you can find include old music players, like cassette players, and video game systems, like a Sega Master or an Atari. Old-school digital clocks, camcorders, and VCRs are just some of the relics that would make a statement in a modern house. Plus, things were made to last, so you'll find that many of these old tech pieces actually still work.

Fluted decor pieces are a simple way to integrate the '80s into your contemporary home. It is a design style that creates vertical ridges that run parallel, building depth and texture to spaces. Touches of fluting on cabinets, wall paneling, furniture, and accent objects can seamlessly add elegance to your space without overwhelming your area. As a dynamic element, it can also help draw attention, making it an ideal statement piece.

Homeowners in the '80s loved their furniture, like couches and armchairs, to be oversized and plush. And we don't blame them because who can say no to the ultimate comfort zone? Luckily, there are tons of plush furniture pieces to choose from, so you can easily find something that matches your home's look. These pieces do great in a reading nook or even your living room. Toss on throw pillows and blankets to take it to the next level of comfort.

As a decade known for its glitz and glam, take a note from the '80s design book and let your furniture and cabinets stand out with lacquer, a high-gloss, clear coating finish. As a fast way to add wealth to the space, many furnishing options from that time had this high-gloss finish. It helped make a room look brighter, creating warmth and light. You can easily lacquer your items on your own, but you'll need to prep the area, follow all of the instructions of your gloss product, and provide ample amounts of ventilation.

A gnarly trend that you can easily reconstruct today that showed up all over the booming period is mirrored walls. This is an ideal trend to try out, especially if you have a smaller space that you want to look bigger. These days, there are different types of mirrors, including clear, smoky, antiqued, bronzed, etched, and blackened. While many people did this trend poorly in the 80s, you can easily achieve a classy look by placing it in an optimal space, like around windows or a bar, as well as installing it correctly.

Metallic accents are a popular '80s interior design trend that's back in style. Years ago, these shiny hues were essentially everywhere in a home, whether that was the fixtures or the wallpaper. Over the years, the trend for metallic accents died back in favor of more neutral or matte finishes. However, now there is a wider range of metallic style choices instead of gold, like bronze and brass. These accents can also help reflect light, creating a brighter, more welcoming space.

Create an extravagant home with opulent stone features, vanities, and counters inspired by one of the most glam eras of all time. Gorgeous marble and travertine furniture pieces, backsplashes, flooring, and other stone accents swarmed homes. It's definitely toned down over the years, focusing more on floors, counters, and bathrooms. But that doesn't mean you can't have elegant stone choices throughout your modern space.

Introduce some more personality to the room with the various porcelain figurines or statues that were created during this age. In many cases, these pieces were added to a home to bring elegance, heighten its sophistication, and serve as personal or sentimental keepsakes. Now that years have passed, you'll notice a ton of these at thrift stores. But don't skip out on them; they can not only integrate some character into your home, but some are super valuable, ending up making you some serious cash.

The '80s interior trend of wooden hardware is a decor option that can help you bring more natural and sustainable pieces to your home. This was a time when wood items like furniture and cabinets were being crafted from durable wood, allowing them to not only last many years but also bring some nature indoors. Easily integrate it into your modern home through furniture handles and knobs, and wood paneling.

Incorporate pastel colors, like pinks, blues, greens, and purples, in your home for a subtle yet charming nod to the totally tubular time period. This is also a great way to tone down any brighter rooms you may have throughout your home. Integrate pastels in a variety of ways, whether you paint a wall, suspend art, or choose pale soft furnishings. Just remember that, as lighter colors, stains and messes will show more easily on pastel surfaces.

Throughout this era, you'll notice the plethora of chintz fabric and floral pattern choices. But what does it really mean to have chintzy decor? This is a polished cotton fabric that typically has a gloss finish or a bold pattern on it. During the '80s, you'll notice this material on many furniture pieces, usually in a floral print. While you don't want to overload your home with this look, a few accent pieces or throw pillows will look vintage chic.

Add some depth to a space by incorporating a bodacious look from the time period — ruffles. While these were used to cover multiple parts of a home back in the day, you'll just need to be mindful for a more modern approach. Instead of decking out your whole home, choose specific places for ruffles, like a furniture piece or as an appliance covering. Some people even keep it simple, using it as a curtain or playroom element.

Mauve is the trendy '80s color that's making a hard comeback. Many people chose this shade because it was the perfect combination of color and neutral. The dark, warm, pinkish hues incorporate more warmth and depth into a space, whether you paint your walls or a piece of furniture. To elevate it to modern standards, you can integrate this shade in more accent or focal pieces like art, accessories, or backsplashes.