The ’80s gave us bold colors, shiny finishes, and some truly questionable home decor choices – think mirrored walls, carpeted bathrooms, and pastel overload.
While some trends are best left in the decade that brought us big hair and synth-pop, others have aged surprisingly well and are making a stylish comeback.
Designers and nostalgic homeowners alike are embracing the best of retro flair while steering clear of the more cringe-worthy moments. Ready to separate the iconic from the eyesores? Here are 8 ’80s decor trends you’ll want to forget – and 8 we’d happily welcome back.
1. Wallpaper Borders Gone Wild
Whoever decided that slapping a strip of floral, country duck, or geometric-patterned wallpaper around the middle of walls was a good idea clearly had some explaining to do. These borders invaded kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms across America with reckless abandon.
Often paired with complementary (and equally overwhelming) curtains and bedding, these paper strips marked territory like interior design graffiti.
2. Mirrored Everything
If you couldn’t see your reflection from at least seven different angles in an 80s home, was it even decorated? From mirrored walls to furniture with reflective surfaces, the decade’s obsession with mirrors knew no bounds.
Walking into some living rooms felt like entering a house of mirrors at a carnival. Homeowners slapped mirror tiles on walls, ceilings, and even furniture. The effect wasn’t elegant – it was disorienting and created a funhouse vibe that made guests dizzy before they’d even touched their first wine cooler.
3. Dusty Mauve and Seafoam Green
Remember when every sofa, carpet, and bathroom fixture came in colors that can only be described as ‘grandma chic’? That dusty mauve and seafoam green combo reigned supreme in 80s homes, often accompanied by their close friends peach and country blue.
You couldn’t escape this color scheme if you tried. From wall-to-wall carpeting to ceramic bathroom tile, these muted pastels dominated the decade. The ultimate 80s power move? Coordinating your toilet seat cover, bath mat, and tissue box holder in matching seafoam green with mauve seashell accents.
4. Fake Plants in Wicker Baskets
Before houseplants became Instagram stars, the 80s had a bizarre love affair with dusty artificial foliage. Silk ferns and plastic ivy cascaded from wicker baskets in corners of living rooms nationwide, collecting dust with remarkable efficiency.
What made these faux botanical displays particularly special was their placement—always perched on macramé hangers or atop entertainment centers. The dustier they got, the more authentic they seemed to become in the eyes of their proud owners.
5. Waterbeds: The Floating Nightmares
Nothing says “I make questionable life choices” quite like sleeping on a giant vinyl bag of temperature-controlled water. Waterbeds were the ultimate status symbol for the 80s bedroom, despite being noisy, high-maintenance, and potentially catastrophic.
Climbing into one was an athletic event requiring balance and coordination. One wrong move and you’d be seasick before sleep. Yet somehow, these floating nightmares were considered the height of bedroom luxury!
6. Oversized Brass Everything
If it wasn’t covered in mirrors in the 80s, it was probably made of shiny brass. From enormous swan-shaped faucets to headboards that could double as medieval armor, brass dominated homes with its glaring golden presence.
Light fixtures featuring multiple brass arms with glass globes dangled precariously from ceilings. Fireplace accessories stood like golden sentinels beside rarely-used hearths. Even picture frames weren’t safe from the brass treatment.
7. Country Goose Mania
Without warning or provocation, geese in bonnets and bows invaded American homes during the 80s. These waterfowl appeared on everything from cookie jars to throw pillows, often dressed in calico outfits for reasons no one could adequately explain.
Kitchens were ground zero for the goose apocalypse. Wooden cutouts of geese wearing blue gingham bows stood guard on countertops. Families gathered around tables featuring placemats with matching goose motifs.
8. Glass Block Walls and Windows
Imagine showering while feeling like you’re in an aquarium – welcome to the glass block revolution of the 80s! These translucent bricks created walls and windows that obscured details while still allowing light to pass through, creating what was considered the peak of bathroom sophistication.
Not content to stay in bathrooms, glass blocks expanded their territory to room dividers and exterior windows. Homeowners loved how modern they seemed, despite being impossible to clean and distorting everything beyond recognition.
1. Neon Light Art Installations
The electric buzz of a neon sign brought instant coolness to any 80s room. These glowing art pieces transformed ordinary walls into vibrant nightclub-inspired spaces that pulsed with energy even when the house was quiet.
Modern neon has evolved into LED versions that use less electricity while maintaining that distinctive glow. Perfect for creating instant ambiance, these illuminated conversation pieces blend nostalgic vibes with contemporary style.
2. Memphis Design Furniture
Bold, colorful, and absolutely unapologetic – Memphis Design furniture laughed in the face of minimalism. Think squiggly laminate tables, chairs with cylindrical legs in primary colors, and bookshelves that resembled abstract sculptures rather than functional storage. Nothing matched, and that was precisely the point!
Today’s revival brings a more curated approach – perhaps a single statement chair or side table that adds personality to an otherwise restrained space. Memphis Design pieces say “I don’t take myself too seriously” while still being seriously cool.
3. Conversation Pits
Sunken living rooms created the ultimate party zone where friends gathered for hours of gossip and games. These cozy floor-level seating arrangements, often lined with plush modular sofas, encouraged face-to-face interaction long before smartphones ruined everything.
The genius of the conversation pit was its natural ability to create intimacy. Stepping down into this designated social space felt like entering a special zone where connections happened naturally.
Architects are bringing back modernized versions with sleeker lines and updated fabrics.
4. Lucite and Acrylic Furniture
Transparent furniture pieces were the magic trick of 80s decorating – they took up physical space while visually disappearing! Waterfall coffee tables, ghost chairs, and clear display pedestals added instant glamour without visual weight.
The beauty of Lucite was its chameleon-like quality. It could make small spaces feel larger while still providing function. Those gleaming edges caught light in ways that made rooms sparkle with an almost futuristic energy.
5. Track Lighting Extravaganza
Remember those metal rails that snaked across 80s ceilings? Track lighting systems brought dramatic directional illumination that could highlight artwork, plants, or architectural features with theatrical precision.
Unlike the clunky systems of yesteryear, today’s track lighting has evolved into sleek, minimalist designs with LED technology. The ability to adjust each light individually creates custom lighting scenes that flat ceiling fixtures simply can’t match.
6. Lacquered Surfaces in Jewel Tones
High-gloss was boss in the 80s! Lacquered furniture pieces in sapphire blue, emerald green, or ruby red added drama and luxury to every room. The mirror-like finish reflected light and created depth in ways that matte surfaces never could.
Today’s lacquered pieces feature improved durability and eco-friendly formulations. A single lacquered dresser or dining table can transform a neutral room into something special. When everything else feels matte and safe, these gleaming surfaces bring back that bold 80s confidence we’re all secretly missing.
7. Cubist Wall Murals
Geometric shapes in pastel colors sprawled across feature walls in the coolest 80s homes. These abstract compositions featured interlocking forms, squiggly lines, and bold patterns that turned ordinary walls into massive art installations.
Modern interpretations use updated color palettes while maintaining that geometric playfulness. A cubist mural adds personality without requiring permanent commitment – perfect for renters or the design-indecisive.
When beige walls feel boring, channel your inner 80s rebel with shapes that refuse to play by the rules.
8. Vertical Blinds Reimagined
Before you roll your eyes – hear me out! Those plastic slats that hung from every sliding glass door have evolved into something surprisingly chic. Modern vertical blinds come in natural materials like bamboo, linen, and even macramé that filter light beautifully.
The genius of vertical blinds was always their practicality. They allow precise control over light and privacy while accommodating doors that need clearance to open. Their vertical orientation creates visual height in rooms with low ceilings.