Everyone Had One In The 80s — Now It's The Art Deco Decor We Want In Our Homes

The 1980s had a lot in common with the 1920s: overall party vibes spiced with the turmoil of social issues. Is that why there was a resurgence of Art Deco design during the decade? Intriguing connection aside, a decidedly '20s-style mirror became popular in the '80s, so much so that it was a background staple in many homes. This mirror's look is defined by its diamond shape: a vertical, rectangular mirror panel is flanked by shorter graduated mirror panels to create a sleek, balanced wall hanging. One glance at this iconic mirror may transport you back to a living room of the time. 

Forty years later, we're seeing this piece with fresh eyes. Savvy second-hand shoppers are scanning thrift store shelves and online marketplaces for this bold '80s design, sometimes bringing one home for shockingly low prices. If you snag one of these cut-jewel-style mirrors and don't envision it in your home, one in great shape can snag over $1,000 on high-end auction websites, leaving you with a windfall for something you'd like better. Lucky shoppers are finding this symmetrical, geometric mirror in a few sizes, some small enough to tuck into a gallery wall and others worthy of blinging up a large blank wall.

Sometimes, when you take a decor element out of its usual context, it's easier to appreciate its features. Away from the distracting black lacquer furniture and pastel wallpaper of the Art Deco style, you notice the mirror's appealing right angles and shiny modern look. Thrifty TikTokers who relish rare finds report picking up these mirrors for around $50 or less in a store or on Facebook Marketplace. If you don't have the patience for this kind of hunt, you can purchase mirrors like this on both eBay and Etsy for a few hundred dollars or less — unlike the large prices they command on luxury auction sites.

This Art Deco mirror would be the jewel in the crown if you want to bring the '80s retro aesthetic into a room. But separated from other '80s decor, it's not hard to imagine it fitting into nearly any other design scheme. An oversized mirror was de rigueur during the decade, but there are reasons to accept one or more into your 21st century home, too. Besides reflecting light and giving a small space faux volume, this type of Art Deco mirror would slip seamlessly into an eclectic or maximalist room. It would look equally at home in a modern, contemporary, or industrial space. However, such an Art Deco piece might garner more attention when mixed with a seemingly non-matching aesthetic. Sharp corners and dazzling reflections don't seem very English or French country cottage, but surrounded by softening textiles and calm colors, a mirror like this complements the space rather than clashes with it.