The Outdated '80s Lighting Trend That's Back & Better Than Ever

When you think of '80s interior decor, you might hone in on rooms drenched with wood paneling, stunning glass blocks dividing rooms, and the intimate, albeit controversial, conversation pit. While many of these design elements can be classified as dated today, if there's one thing design experts can agree on, it's that it's typically only a matter of time before they come back in vogue. One of the latest once-outdated '80s home decor trends having a comeback right now is plaster lighting, and it brings a taste of raw elegance that can light up any room.

Made out of plaster or ceramic, plaster lighting was a popular decor choice in the '80s. The matte, chunky, and textured appearance typically came in a variety of earthy tones, including beiges and creams. The post-modern sculptural plaster lighting featured textured and organic silhouettes, including spiral table and floor lamps, and was a prime example of the shift in clean, high-end, and artisanal decor and furniture pieces. Similar to the bold and eclectic textures of homes back then, the '80s-inspired detail is now returning to emulate warmth and organic textures — a small change that'll make your home feel more luxurious.

With its organic textures and stunning silhouettes, plaster lighting provides a sense of understated elegance to any room. Modern takes on these raw, handcrafted lighting fixtures include classic table lamps, wall sconces, mounted lighting, and floor lamps, which you can find at major department furniture stores, such as Urban Outfitters and CB2. But if you have a taste for hand-made, vintage pieces, you might find luck in online marketplaces like Etsy to give spaces a more collected, lived-in look.

But your home doesn't have to emulate Art Deco decor or the like for statement plaster lighting to shine. These stunning lighting fixtures complement a variety of different interior design styles, fitting right in with modern, minimalist, bohemian, coastal, and contemporary iterations of these styles. Specifically, plaster lighting is great for contemporary interiors as it prompts unexpected and whimsical silhouettes that make for luxurious statement pieces.

Take these oversized, vintage Michael Taylor Style plaster floor lamps with a spiral design, for example. They can add texture in the living room or a reading nook alongside soft, muted tones and minimalist furniture. This wide pendant light from Ferguson Home can be a gorgeous statement piece in a dining room or over a kitchen island. For more subtle elegance, you might consider wall sconces that give hallways, entryways, and bedrooms an unexpected yet elegant twist.