The Furniture Trend From The '80s That's Making A Comeback, & How To Style It

The 1980s was a decade of excess, where bigger automatically meant better. That meant big hair, big shoulder pads, and big personalities. While some '80s fads are probably best left in the past, there are plenty of '80s home decor trends that are begging for a resurgence — such as cane furniture, which is indeed back in fashion. Another larger-than-life trend from the "more is more" decade that's experiencing a revival? Oversized furniture.

Oversized furniture is back in vogue, but it now has a distinctly modern feel that differentiates it from the awesome '80s. "The 1980s were known for their big, bulky furniture, such as oversized sofas and armchairs with thick cushions and large frames," interior designer Meghan Jay of Meghan Jay Design tells Good Housekeeping. "While oversized sofas are still popular, they now have cleaner lines. The focus is on comfort without the oppressive bulk."

When you think "oversized furniture," your mind might immediately go to large, comfy couches or chairs, but oversized furniture can encompass all kinds of home goods. For example, oversized beds, such as king and California king-sized beds, are especially popular with families who want to co-sleep with small children or family pets; while oversized coffee tables and entertainment centers offer more surface area for activities, as well as more storage options. In fact, it isn't just '80s nostalgia that's driving the oversized furniture trend. There are a ton of reasons why many homeowners are steering away from thin silhouettes and embracing the oversized look.

Why the large furniture renaissance? It turns out, the oversized look is actually incredibly diverse and gives homeowners and designers a lot of ways to play with a home's floor plan. Open floor plans, for example, are a popular layout in U.S. homes, but homeowners often struggle with how to define different areas within all that space. That's where oversized furniture comes in. Oversized sofas and sectionals are great at creating boundaries and partitioning off living, dining, and study spaces within open floor plan homes in a way that feels intentional. They can also double as storage, with many oversized ottomans and coffee tables, for example, opening up into spacious chests for keeping throw pillows, kids' toys, and other knickknacks.

Plus, oversized furniture is extremely comfortable. You can lounge about in a large bed or roomy chair with plenty of space for stretching out and relaxing — and still have some real estate left over for all those cozy throw pillows and blankets you may want to snuggle with. Oversized living room furniture is also great for entertaining because there's lots of space to fit all your guests without them competing for a place to sit down, or for a spot to put their drinks on the coffee table.

While oversized furniture can be both functional and fashionable, a whole room full of oversized furniture may make you feel like you've walked onto the set of the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" movie — another bit of awesome '80s nostalgia that's fun, but not necessarily what you're going for in a living room. So instead of decking out your entire home in oversized furniture, try incorporating a single oversized furniture statement piece, such as one oversized couch or chair, into your living area. Then, counter the oversized furniture with smaller, sleeker items such as a delicate side table. This will give you that '80s maximalism look that's back in vogue without totally overpowering your home.

You may also want to try incorporating oversized furniture in a neutral palette to keep from overwhelming the room — especially if you're styling it in a small space. An oversized bed or couch in lighter colors such as creams or beiges can make the room feel more open and lighter. But that doesn't mean you need to be afraid of color! You can use that neutral surface as a canvas to splash with pops of different colors or patterns on throw pillows, for example.

There are also a few practical considerations to keep in mind. It may seem obvious, but always measure both the room and your furniture to make sure everything will actually fit. And, especially if you live in an older home with smaller entryways, make sure your new oversized purchase will fit through the front door. There's nothing worse than buying a brand-new couch or chair and finding you can't even get it in the house!