7 Pieces of ‘80s-Inspired Home Decor That Have Stood the Test of Time (2024)

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7 Pieces of ‘80s-Inspired Home Decor That Have Stood the Test of Time? ›

The houses of this period blended modernism and postmodernism. They often featured asymmetrical facades, geometric shapes, and unusual rooflines. Stone was used as accent features against the wood siding, which was often installed as a mix of vertical and diagonal patterns.

The houses of this period blended modernism and postmodernism. They often featured asymmetrical facades, geometric shapes, and unusual rooflines. Stone was used as accent features against the wood siding, which was often installed as a mix of vertical and diagonal patterns.

The '80s was a colorful decade full of clashing shades and patterns. For a signature look, try color pairings like pink and green or purple and red. Bring back the mauve, peach, and lavender. Embrace bright neon shades like electric yellow and teal blue to resurrect another signature '80s trend.

Preppy, Luxe Maximalism

Dramatically swagged curtains, prints galore, power reds, layers of Laura Ashley florals, and plenty of ornamentation were fixtures of '80s decor—and William Georgis of Georgis & Mirgorodsky, a New York-based architecture and interior design firm, is all in.

The result was oversized pieces with one or two dramatic curves. (Think: waterfall consoles.) Similar to the Art Deco style of the 1920s, the 80's Art Deco revival movement showed an appreciation for exotic construction materials. Parchment, lacquered goatskin, and shagreen were all commonly used.

“From the 1930s to the mid-80s houses were built pretty well in terms of bricks, windows, footings, tiled roofs, and we used old-growth timbers,” he said. “It was labour-intensive but the structural componentry of the homes were good and had fairly simple electrics and good plumbing.”

Chintz, pastels, open kitchens, preppy—the popularity of these and similar house interiors in the 1980s isn't under debate. However, they are not destined to be forgotten completely. Many are coming back in style, even now.

A Neon Color Scheme

Choose balloons and wall decorations in neon green, yellow, and pink for a perfect 80s color party idea. Plates and cups can follow similarly bright shades. In the 80s, it's the brighter, the better, and there's no such thing as clashing colors.

Neon colors like neon pink, electric blue, and acid yellow made a profound impact on 80s culture and style. People wore bright colored outfits, used neon makeup, added neon decals to vehicles, and decorated photo slides with neon markers.

What furniture was popular in the 80s? ›

Embrace Chunky Furniture

Deep-seated sofas were popular in the '80s, and we can't still get enough of them. They're not only visually interesting and give your space a soft, homey feel, but they are also super comfortable. Chunky furniture is a lovely contrast to the sleek, modern pieces we're used to.

Faux wood blinds also began popping up in homes everywhere as an affordable alternative to real wood. The 80s were also to blame for the invention of mirrored vertical blinds. These flashy window treatments may seem over the top, but that was the goal! Bright colors and metallic finishes were stylish for the time.

Many see the resurgence of the '80s aesthetic as a response to an oversaturation of clinical design, mass production of furniture, and non-color room ideas. In short, the looks from this retro decade offer a welcome departure from the ultra-clean lines and stark minimalist aesthetic that has been so popular as of late.

In 1981, The World of Interiors was born, offering a showcase of the more inventive denizens of the period, such as David Hicks, John Stefanidis, Geoffrey Bennison, Robert Kime, David Mlinaric and Anouska Hempel, whose house appeared on the cover of the first issue.

Sofas have been around since ancient Egyptian and Greek times, but pharaohs and upper crust Athenians weren't lounging on anything close to today's tufted sectionals with chaise storage. “Couches” consisted of sturdy wooden benches and continued as such well into the 16th century.

While there's no official expert consensus for an item to be considered vintage, many agree an item should be between twenty to ninety-nine years old. An item regarded as retro is made recently but designed or in the style of items from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and very early 2000s.

1980s architecture is characterized by postmodernism, a style that emerged in response to the uniformity and lack of ornamentation of modern architecture. 1980s architecture often featured bright colors, asymmetrical shapes, and playful elements such as broken pediments, classical motifs, and historical references.

Homes built in the 1980s have a reputation for being cheaply built. I believe that this reputation stems from states that experienced enormous growth during this time (Florida, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, etc.). Tract builders built entire communities seemingly overnight in search of profits.

Most houses in the 1980s were built with a concrete slab-on-grade foundation. This type of foundation includes a thickened edge that serves as a stabilizing element. However, it is important to note that the site's terrain may dictate variations in the foundation design.