17 Amazon Finds For An '80s-Inspired Kitchen
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There's something comforting about an '80s kitchen. Trends from the time, like warm oak cabinets, punchy pops of color, geometric shapes, floral patterns, and playful decor, come together to create a wonderfully lived-in space. Even if you didn't live through the era, the retro aesthetic holds nostalgic charm. Plenty of fun '80s home decor trends are begging to make a comeback, and the kitchen is a great place to try them out.
The lively feel of '80s decor lends itself to personalization, so there are many ways to reimagine the decade's trends. If you're after a bold, colorful kitchen, you might look toward the influential Memphis Design movement and its funky postmodern shapes. If coziness is the goal, a kitchen of Laura Ashley floral patterns, warm wood tones, and eclectic trinkets is the way to go. For just a touch of '80s flair, place some retro pieces around your modern kitchen to make it feel funkier. Even better, it's not difficult to find appliances and decor to help create this aesthetic. Whether you're in favor of subtle retro accents or a full-on throwback space, these are some of our favorite Amazon finds that can help you achieve an '80s-inspired kitchen.
Alessi Michael Graves Sugar Bowl And Spoon
The Alessi 9097 Sugar Bowl and Spoon was designed in the '80s — and it shows. It was one of the first projects in a collection designed for Alessi by Michael Graves, a successful architect and designer. The silhouette of this bowl is very postmodern, fitting in with the aesthetic movement that was iconic of the decade. It's geometric, features a cartoonish pop art feel, and bits of bright color — all hallmarks of '80s style. Importantly, though, the design doesn't sacrifice function. Though it's a sugar bowl first, the vessel is made to be displayed, whether on open shelves or at a retro coffee station. It looks especially fitting next to the matching Alessi 9093 Kettle.
Because of its reputation and ties to a notable brand and designer, this product comes with a high price for a sugar bowl. However, it's a stylish pick for those looking for a touch of luxury as well as genuine '80s style. It's made of 18/10 stainless steel, offering durability as well as that metallic shininess that was also popular during the decade.
Laura Ashley Cotton Tie Up Window Treatment
The Laura Ashley Cotton Tie Up Window Treatment feels very '80s and has a charmingly domestic look. Laura Ashley was one of the big brands of the decade, with its floral-patterned clothing and home furnishings making their way into many homes. A characteristic of the brand is the floral chintz pattern, inspired by traditional English countryside designs. Emblematic of the '80s, heavy, ornately styled drapery was also popular in this decade, often showing up in the form of thick fabrics, valances, and elaborate tie-backs. While these elements were often associated with bedrooms and living rooms, you can bring them to the kitchen: chintz curtains and furnishings help create an '80s farmhouse style that's quaint and inviting.
This cotton window treatment comes in a variety of patterns and styles, many with a vintage floral look. In particular, though, this soft yellow, green, and blue flowery valance suits the decade. The sunny color is bright and eye-catching, the flowers have an old-fashioned character, and the valance style with tie-up bows aligns with the showy designs of '80s window dressings.
STP Goods White Goose Ceramic Figurine
The '80s were an era full of tchotchkes: homes in this decade didn't shy away from playful ornamentation. As the heart of the home, the kitchen is a lovely space to display the STP Goods White Goose Ceramic Figurine. This ceramic knickknack can give a cozy kitchen more of a cottage feel. The goose looks like it walked right out of the pages of a storybook, and it perfectly suits the type of kitchen where grandma serves tea and cookies.
This figurine is made of glazed ceramic, so it's more traditional and substantial than plastic or resin. It's hand-painted too, so it's more likely to have little imperfections that make it look more old-school. A blue gingham bow (gingham was another popular pattern in the '80s) is an adorable finishing touch.
Ridhi Modern Farmhouse Pillow Covers
Many shoppers look to home textiles to bring the '80s retro aesthetic to their living room, and you can take advantage of these items for the kitchen, too. The Ridhi Modern Farmhouse Pillow Covers have a pretty design that offers a more contemporary take on some popular '80s trends. If you have somewhere to place cushions — a breakfast nook, seating bench, or accent chair are some possible spots — it adds pattern and softness to the kitchen. On top of its bright, pastel colors and vintage floral pattern, the ruffled edges are a nice touch. Ruffled bed and couch skirts were popular in the '80s, and this ruffle edge on a cushion adds some of this vintage-style texture without being overwhelming (a risk with ruffled upholstery).
This pillow cover pair is available in a few colors and designs, with many delightfully homey patterns. They're made of durable cotton canvas, a thicker material that can handle heavier wear in dining areas. The print covers both sides, and each pillow is complete with a hidden zipper, giving it a premium finish.
Magcolor Hand Painted Colorful Woven Glass Vase
The Magcolor Hand Painted Colorful Woven Glass Vase is a delightful '80s-inspired Amazon find. Decorative glass pieces were popular in the era, ranging from glass knickknacks to iconic glass brick walls. This vase is both a functional vessel and a decorative piece, useful for floral arrangements on the counter or for styling a centerpiece on the dining table. It has a patterned design in bold '80s colors, but it isn't overpowering. It's not too minimalist like contemporary vases, but also not garish like some '80s-inspired options. The colorful block design is reminiscent of glass block walls — a popular feature of the decade.
This vase is made of glass, and the color is painted on; reviews say it catches the light nicely, but users will need to take care not to scratch it. It has a heavy base and measures just under 8 inches tall, so it's a suitable size for a typical bouquet or can be repurposed for other creative ways to decorate your home with vases.
Lotus Atelier Red Mushroom Lamp
There are a few reasons why you should add a table lamp to your kitchen. In an '80s-inspired kitchen, consider the Lotus Atelier Red Mushroom Lamp to bring charm and coziness. Mushroom lamps hit their trend peak in the 1970s, so they would have lingered in homes through the '80s. Today, they bring a generally retro feel to a space.
This version from Lotus Atelier is available in fun, bold colors that bring that dash of brightness that was popular in the '80s. It's available in bright red, orange, blue, and pink, as well as white. The lamp emits a warm, diffused light that helps create a warm and inviting space, a common feature of the '80s aesthetic. It's designed with durability in mind, as it is made of a hard plastic. The material makes it feel a bit less luxurious, but the affordable price reflects the build quality, which does have the benefit of being much less breakable than glass or ceramic.
Suwimut Red Mouth Telephone
Novelty phones were popular in the '80s, and they fit right in with this decade's over-the-top and kitschy aesthetic. The Suwimut Red Mouth Telephone is a design you might have seen before, whether it's in a teenager's room if you lived through the '80s, or in pop culture from that era. It's in the shape of big, bright red lips, and both the pop art style and bold color suit an '80s-inspired space.
This phone is a fun accessory to bring to your kitchen that's low-commitment: it's affordable and easy to tuck away or switch out if your style changes. Even better, it actually works. You can connect it to a landline for an authentic '80s vibe. It's a vibrant, personality-filled piece for a kitchen counter.
Lily's Home Retro Kitchen Wall Clock
Lily's Home Retro Kitchen Wall Clock is another vintage-inspired Amazon find that perfectly suits a kitchen in need of '80s touches. It's brightly colored and has an analog clock face with a mid-century-style font. The overall look is playful and adds a splash of color to a kitchen wall. The color range is impressive and offers several shades that work for an '80s kitchen, including butter yellow, bright orange, eggshell blue, firetruck red, as well as just a bright white if you want the retro design, but less saturated.
Beyond its old-school look, this wall clock is also a useful little device. It has functions above and beyond most analog clocks. The built-in thermometer and 60-minute timer also feel very '80s, offering as much substance as style, and taking these tasks away from devices like your smartphone. It's battery-powered, so you can mount it anywhere in the kitchen.
Dimoon Peel and Stick Floral Wallpaper
In expressive and unapologetically fun '80s kitchens, it's no surprise to see bold, patterned wallpapers. The Dimoon Peel and Stick Floral Wallpaper is a fabulous option if you're trying to emulate this period. It follows a few '80s trends. First, the floral pattern has a bit of a heritage feel and is made of a lot of small flowers, similar to Laura Ashley floral designs popular at the time. The golden brown hues are a carryover from the '70s — when this muted color palette was very popular — that lasted into the next decade. Also, the repeating pattern is quite geometric, which is a feature of '80s design.
This is a peel-and-stick wallpaper, so it's suitable for renters. It's easy to apply since it has an adhesive backing. It's also reasonably priced, costing just under $10 for a roughly 17-by-78-inch roll. Keep in mind you don't have to cover all the walls or even a whole wall; there are a variety of kitchen wallpaper ideas that will add charm to your home. Use it to line cupboards or decorate the side of a kitchen island to add a retro pattern without using a lot of wallpaper.
bella Electric Can Opener and Knife Sharpener
An effective way to make a kitchen feel more '80s is by adding retro appliances. Sleek, stainless steel appliances are emblematic of contemporary style, so swapping them out for more old-school-inspired pieces can make a huge difference. The Bella Electric Can Opener and Knife Sharpener looks like it comes from that era, with its rounded build and bright color. It's excellent for adding a little splash of personality to the kitchen counter, and it's useful as well.
This product is an electric can opener and knife sharpener combined. Its multifunctional and specific uses make it feel domestic, anchoring the kitchen as a busy and homey space that is often used. After all, giving up an electric can opener only really makes sense for a bustling kitchen where it's used frequently for recipes. This product is highly rated, too; it has a 60-watt motor and a steel cutting blade to open small, standard, and tall cans. The knife sharpener slot is integrated into the back of the unit.
Zassenhaus Magnetic Retro Kitchen Timer
The Zassenhaus Magnetic Retro Kitchen Timer is another useful little trinket that comes in a wide variety of vivid colors, perfect for adding a dash of brightness to a kitchen surface. The design is purposely retro, with a rounded shape, old-school face, and a variety of bright colors like mint green, hot pink, bright oranges and reds, royal or eggshell blue, and more.
This product is a classic mechanical timer, something that would have been an everyday tool in a '80s kitchen before digital screens became commonplace. It doesn't use batteries either, so it feels like a true vintage device. The timer also has a built-in magnet, so it's easy to stick it on a refrigerator, oven hood, or metal backsplash, great for giving these modern appliances a touch of heritage decor.
Riptunes Boombox Radio
The Riptunes Boombox Radio harks back to the boombox era, but with the convenience of modern features. The '80s was a decade of changes in music, with the launch of MTV and boomboxes reaching peak popularity during the era. This boombox radio is a nod to this iconic time in music, plus it can make a kitchen feel more lively and lived-in. Propped on a kitchen counter, windowsill, or open shelving, it brings an element of nostalgia.
Though it looks old school, this radio and speaker is full of modern features. It offers Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair it with your modern-day devices to stream music and audio. It also has microSD slots, a USB port, a 3.5mm aux-in, and a headphone jack for even more audio flexibility. Of course, you can also use it to listen to the radio if streaming feels too modern for your '80s-styled space.
Tupperware Heritage Get it All Retro Collection
The Tupperware Heritage Get it All Retro Collection brings so much mid- to late-20th-century nostalgia to a kitchen. It calls back to mid-century Tupperware parties that spread this cooking essential into the '80s home. This set looks anything but modern and is ideal for anyone trying to create a true '80s-inspired atmosphere in their day-to-day routine, rather than just adding a few decor accents. The bold, classic colors are reminiscent of both the '70s and '80s, with shades like apricot, tangelo, basil, and peacock. Curved silhouettes, sunburst lids, and a curlicue pattern on the pitchers and cups are nice traditional touches.
Of course, these containers are usable as proper Tupperware, with the features expected of modern plastic kitchenware. They're BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. This set includes 30 pieces, with containers in various sizes plus a pitcher with four tumblers. Smaller sets and different color schemes are available.
Corelle Vitrelle 18 Piece Glass Dinnerware Set
The Corelle Vitrelle 18 Piece Glass Dinnerware Set is another product that makes it feel like a kitchen has been transported back to the '80s, rather than just decorating it that way. Corelle dishware was popular back then, and the playful, floral Blossom Green pattern of this set feels appropriate for the decade. This set feels heritage, but it's more plain, so it's perfect for pairing with other '80s decor without making the space feel too kitschy. It's useful too, and there's a good reason why the brand was so popular in past decades.
This is an 18-piece set with a happy green floral pattern, though other playful patterns are available if you prefer more traditional styles. Included in the set are six each of dinner plates, appetizer plates, and 18-ounce bowls, made of the brand's famous Vitrelle triple-layer glass that's chip-resistant, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and even oven-safe to a certain temperature. This practicality is part of why this dishware appealed to '80s households.
Lenox Butterfly Meadow Hydrangea Large Serve Bowl
The Lenox Butterfly Meadow Hydrangea Large Serve Bowl is not quite the same as vintage Corningware, but not everyone is lucky enough to find the real thing at a thrift store. This Lenox product is a good alternative with a similar, simple floral aesthetic, from a major brand that was also popular in the '80s. Plus, it offers the peace of mind of modern materials. The kitschy hydrangea pattern with butterflies suits the flamboyance of '80s styles. It's a feature bowl that you can display on open shelves or on a countertop.
The serving bowl comes in the pretty Butterfly Meadow pattern, and you can also buy other dishware, mugs, and pasta bowls to match. It's made of white porcelain, so it has a quality feel associated with more traditional brands. It's also dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and chip-resistant to handle modern kitchen needs.
Premium Presents Large Wooden Bread Box
Wood bread boxes feel traditional. As another practical item, they were something you could find on a '80s countertop, adding to the domestic feel of the space. Even better if you find one with a roll-top tambour door. The Premium Presents Large Wooden Bread Box is an affordable option that looks like it's out of that decade. It's made of bamboo, which modernizes it a bit compared to rustic wood, but the curved style and roll-top door still make it feel appropriate for the '80s era.
This is a highly-rated Amazon find since it looks nice but doesn't strain the wallet. It's made of natural bamboo and is food safe. It comes completely assembled for convenience, and it's useful for storing much more than just bread. You can really use it for anything, like to store baked goods, potatoes, or even to conceal cords and other modern kitchen knickknacks that clutter your countertop.
Fox Run 3-Tier Hanging Fruit Basket
Hanging fruit baskets were another common fixture in '80s kitchens. The Fox Run 3-Tier Hanging Fruit Basket is a top-rated option from Amazon. Keeping appliances and items accessible was more popular in the '80s compared to now, where contemporary kitchens try to hide a lot out of sight. This is a great example of an item from this decade that's functional and a bit decorative too.
The suspended silhouette is more interesting, but just as practical as a fruit bowl. Not to mention, pops of fruits and vegetables can bring pops of color to the otherwise plain display. This is a three-tier option made of durable wire mesh. It's available in white, gold, or copper to fit different decor themes.