12 1980s Inspired Kitchen Designs You'll Want To Recreate In Your Home

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The rumors are true — the 1980s are back. '80s home decor trends are making a major comeback in almost every room in the house. One place that has seen a particular rise in '80s-inspired design is the kitchen. There are several reasons why a 1980s kitchen is appealing, from the color palette to the layout itself. Slightly more streamlined than previous decades but still brimming with whimsy, these cooking spaces struck the perfect balance between functional and fun.

Whether you're renovating your kitchen or you just want to incorporate a few trendy touches, there are tons of ways to explore '80s-inspired decor. Plus, your space doesn't have to look like a time capsule. You can easily incorporate touches from the '80s without making your kitchen appear entirely retro. This decade introduced a wide range of beautiful kitchen concepts that you can add to any contemporary home. Choose the timeless trick that works best with your unique aesthetic and needs.

Geometric tiles were a huge trend in the '80s, and they were especially prominent in the kitchen. There are several ways you can incorporate geometric tiles, and your backsplash is the perfect place to experiment with bold patterns. From high-contrast mosaics to postmodern patterns, there are endless geometric tile options to choose from.

To create an authentic '80s look, you can actually source real vintage tiles. However, they are often on the pricier side, which means vintage-style tiles might be friendlier to your budget. You can also try out the look with a product like the Hometitute Retro Abstract Geometric Color Block. Ceramic tiles were popular in the 1980s, but you can also find porcelain tiles that have enhanced durability and a similar visual effect. When it comes to color schemes, you can either go pastel or moody, depending on your preference — both soft, light shades and rich hues can lean '80s, as long as you choose the right combination. Popular combos include light pink and baby blue, or cobalt and oxblood.

Curved furniture has been trending over the past few years, and now rounded decor is making its way to the kitchen. 1980s interiors often included a variety of curved decor and furniture, including rounded kitchen islands, countertops, and breakfast bars. The soft, rounded shapes leaned into the post-modern interior trend, emphasizing surrealism and sculptural decor. Adding curved pieces to your kitchen can help it look lighthearted and lively.

If you are completing a full renovation, start with your countertops. Instead of sharp lines, rounded corners can create a custom appearance, specifically when it comes to breakfast bars and kitchen islands. You can also round the edges themselves and opt for a bullnose style. Beyond your countertops, consider adding rounded decor like this Welaisa Table Lamp. Spherical overhead lighting, like this Aisilan Globe Pendant Light, can also add a circular touch. Rounded trays and fruit bowls are other adorable '80s-inspired accessories to consider.

The 1980s brought about countless daring design trends, and the use of eye-catching wallpaper is making a huge comeback. The beauty of the '80s was that a lot of the design ideas focused on affordability and accessibility. Wallpaper as a kitchen backsplash is a wallet-friendly solution, and you can explore this trend with a variety of styles. This is a great option if you want to add visual interest to your kitchen, but tile is out of your current budget.

Choosing the right wallpaper for your backsplash depends on your style goals. If you love a cozy, vintage look, consider pairing a toile-patterned wallpaper with wood cabinets. This NextWall Chateau Toile is an affordable peel-and-stick option. Alternatively, this Simon&Siff Retro Checkered Wallpaper can help blend your contemporary decor with an '80s-inspired touch. Make sure to waterproof your wallpaper backsplash to ensure longevity, either by using a decorator's varnish or a product like Snkxu Clear Contact Paper. Always avoid these mistakes everyone makes when using wallpaper as a backsplash.

The kitchen work triangle became even more prominent in the 1980s, enhancing overall functionality. The concept involves designing a kitchen where the oven, sink, and fridge are all equidistant from each other, creating an invisible triangle. This strategic placement helped streamline everyday tasks, reducing the number of steps required to move between work areas. This is a great option for an open kitchen that is still configured in a U-shape rather than a one-wall layout.

In order to recreate the classic kitchen triangle, make sure that the three areas — oven, sink, and fridge — are between four and eight feet away from each other. The entire perimeter of all three spaces should not exceed 26 feet. There should also be a clear pathway from one appliance to the other, with nothing blocking your walkway. Another key consideration is whether you have enough food prep space directly next to your refrigerator. Overall, when you are designing a new kitchen, consider convenience when cooking, rather than just the look of your space.

Natural wood has been having a major resurgence, especially when it comes to cabinet finishes. Not only are wood finishes getting more popular, but warm-toned wood, like oak, is also coming back in a big way. Honey oak cabinets are a retro way to add warmth and coziness to your cooking space. They used to be the sign of a dated kitchen, but now honey oak cabinets are finally being embraced again by designers and homeowners alike.

While you might be tempted to offset your oak cabinets with cool tones in order to modernize your space, this might not be the right approach. In fact, warm-toned decor can actually tone down the orange in the cabinets and make your space blend beautifully, whereas cool colors will make them look out of place. Warm metallic finishes like brushed bronze and copper are also trending, and they pair perfectly with honey oak cabinets.

If you've been wondering whether or not tile countertops are coming back in style, then you're in luck. The answer is yes! This is another tile-focused trend from the 1980s that's worth considering for your home. Tile is a unique countertop material that checks the boxes of both affordability and customization. You can create a one-of-a-kind countertop with the use of colorful, square tiles, or consider a colorful checkered pattern for an eye-catching, '80s-style solution. You can also opt for a Home Alone-inspired countertop, with jewel-toned tiles like navy blue or emerald green.

There are pros and cons to tiled countertops, which is why their popularity has waxed and waned. The most prominent pro is that tiles are much more affordable than stone or quartz countertops. Plus, they are an easy way to add color to your kitchen. The downside is the maintenance when it comes to grout. If you're particularly worried about the upkeep, choose a tile that requires thinner grout lines, like larger-format rectified tiles. You can also seal your grout with a waterproof sealant, like the Black Diamond Stoneworks Ultimate Grout Sealer.

The 1980s spurred lots of interesting color trends, one of which was the comeback of primary colors. This was a callback to the original Bauhaus color palette of the 1930s. Try adding pops of true blue, yellow, or red through kitchen furniture and decor to create visual interest in an otherwise minimal space. You can either add a splash of a primary color or pepper all three throughout your space.

There are several methods to add primary colors to your cooking space. First, consider the power of bright and bold furniture. Barstools are an easy way to add something vibrant to your space. The Yaheetech Bar Stools are a retro, stylish option. Colorful light fixtures, like these Holohatal Red Pendant Lights, are another simple solution. If you really want to make a visual impact, try a bright red or blue kitchen table. You can also experiment with smaller touches like mugs or condiment containers.

Houseplants became a huge part of 1980s home decor. The kitchen provides the perfect place to display potted plants, especially if your kitchen is exposed to natural light. Leafy plants and succulents can be used to fill empty corners of the countertop. From tropical, palm-like greenery to glossy rubber plants, the '80s highlighted several unique houseplants.

When searching for the best houseplants for your kitchen, it depends on how much natural light they will be exposed to. For those lucky enough to have a window in the kitchen or above the sink, try growing herbs like basil and rosemary. Even if you have no natural light in your kitchen, you can still add some stunning houseplants. Low-light plants to consider include spider plants, snake plants, and philodendrons. For more ideas, these are the 12 plants you should always style on your kitchen countertop.

Forget stainless steel as the pinnacle of contemporary kitchen appliances. Black kitchen appliances made a major splash in the 1980s, and they are a great way to create a strikingly modern look. Rather than trying to hide your appliances, commit to the look with a deep black finish, which goes directly against the recent trend of hiding appliances through integrated cabinetry. The tides have shifted, and the new approach is to allow your appliances to shine.

Before immediately replacing your appliances, consider the lifespan of your current pieces. Standard refrigerators typically survive about 10 to 15 years, so if you're approaching the decade mark, it might be time to start shopping. Ovens last about the same length of time, between 13 to 15 years. If you aren't in the market for new, larger appliances, you can add smaller pieces to your countertop, like toasters, mixers, or coffee makers. This Elite Gourmet Toaster is a chic option to upgrade your space without spending a ton of money in the process.

Greenhouse-style windows were a staple in 1980s kitchens. They extend outward to bring in more sunlight and create a bright nook often above the kitchen sink. The prominence of these windows in the '80s is another reflection of the popularity of houseplants. They resemble a small bay window, and you can usually set items inside them for additional storage.

Adding a greenhouse-style window can come with its challenges, so it's crucial to prepare correctly. First, find out if you need a permit from your city. If you are replacing an existing window, you might be in the clear. However, if you are adjusting the size or placement of your window, you will most likely need a building permit. Other issues to be aware of include possible water leaks or buildup of humidity, which can be avoided if your contractor seals the window properly. If changing out your window isn't an option, you can still get a similar visual effect by adding a frame and shelving in front of your existing window.

A very popular combination in 1980s kitchens was white countertops with wooden accents, like cabinets and paneling. White and wood are a timeless pairing that can work in both traditional and contemporary spaces. This is an example of how the '80s started emphasizing streamlined cooking spaces with subtle details. Although playful decor was popular in the '80s, modernism also made its own mark.

You can achieve the white-meets-wood look in a variety of different ways. To curate an earthy space, focus on wood cabinets and even countertops with white accents through pieces like sink basins, hardware, and appliances. For an equal blend of both, go for both natural wood and white cabinetry. This is one of the best color combos for two-tone kitchen cabinets. If you have an all-white kitchen and just want to add a touch of wood, consider displaying cutting boards, bowls, and wooden barstools.

Fluted wood has been popping up all over social media, and the '80s are to thank for this textural trend. This style refers to the textured wood that looks like vertical reeds. Fluted kitchen islands and cabinet fronts were introduced in the 1980s, and this easy upgrade can turn a flat surface into something more dynamic. For an easy and quick way to upgrade your space, this '80s-style trend is the perfect fast fix.

To add fluted wood to your cabinets, you can complete an easy DIY using a product like the Outwater Tambour Sheet. You can cut the sheet to fit your cabinet fronts and adhere it using construction adhesive. Another option is to create your own fluting using split dowel rods. You can also create your own stylish fluted cabinet with this simple IKEA hack. For your kitchen island, you can apply the same concepts. Consider what shade of wood will best suit your space, and remember that in the '80s — the warmer the wood, the better.