20 Home Trends From The 1980s Home We All Remember
Step back in time to the vibrant era of big hair, neon colors, and unforgettable home decor.
The 1980s brought us some truly unique interior design choices that defined a generation of homes. From bold patterns to new technologies, these trends shaped our living spaces in ways that still spark nostalgia today.
1. Pastel Everything
Remember when no room was complete without shades of mint green, peach, and dusty rose? These soft hues dominated everything from bathroom fixtures to living room furniture.
The Miami Vice influence couldn’t be escaped as homeowners embraced these candy-colored palettes with wild abandon. Even kitchen appliances weren’t safe from the pastel treatment!
2. Mauve and Teal Color Schemes
Nothing screams ’80s quite like the unmistakable combination of mauve and teal. This dynamic duo invaded homes across America with unstoppable force.
From wallpaper borders to upholstery fabric, these colors worked their way into every nook and cranny. Paired with brass accents, this color scheme defined an entire decade of interior design choices.
3. Wallpaper Borders
Halfway up the wall or just below the ceiling, decorative wallpaper borders added that special touch to practically every room in the house.
Featuring everything from country geese to floral patterns, these strips of patterned paper were considered the height of sophisticated design. Many a weekend was spent carefully aligning and pasting these decorative strips in place.
4. Oak Cabinets and Furniture
Golden oak reigned supreme throughout the decade, bringing a warm honey tone to kitchens and living rooms everywhere. Those cathedral-style cabinet doors were practically mandatory!
With their distinctive grain and orangey finish, these sturdy pieces became the backbone of ’80s home design. Paired with brass hardware, they created that unmistakable look we all recognize from our childhood homes.
5. Country Blue and Dusty Rose
Before farmhouse chic, we had country blue paired with dusty rose – the ultimate expression of ’80s country charm. This iconic duo appeared on everything from throw pillows to dish towels.
Often accompanied by heart shapes, geese, and gingham patterns, this color combination signaled comfortable country living. Walking into a home decorated in these hues felt like stepping into an episode of “Little House on the Prairie” – but with modern appliances.
6. Glass Block Walls
Wanting privacy without sacrificing light? Glass blocks were the answer! These translucent architectural elements showed up in bathrooms, entryways, and even as room dividers.
The wavy patterns created interesting light effects while maintaining that sleek ’80s aesthetic. Often installed in shower stalls or as feature walls, they became a status symbol of modern home design that screamed “cutting edge.”
7. Brass Everything
The golden age of brass brought shiny fixtures into every corner of the ’80s home. From doorknobs to light fixtures, this metallic finish was impossible to escape.
Chandeliers featuring glass and brass combinations hung proudly in dining rooms across America. Cabinet handles, bathroom fixtures, and even furniture trim got the Midas touch, creating that distinctive gleam we now instantly recognize as pure eighties excess.
8. Track Lighting
Suddenly everyone became a lighting designer when track lighting systems arrived on the scene. These adjustable fixtures allowed homeowners to spotlight specific areas with dramatic flair.
Usually installed on ceilings, these metal tracks with multiple light heads could be aimed at artwork, plants, or architectural features. The flexibility was revolutionary, even if the looks weren’t always subtle or sophisticated by today’s standards.
9. Vertical Blinds
Long before minimalist window treatments, vertical blinds clacked and swayed across sliding glass doors nationwide. Their plastic strips would inevitably get twisted or snap off entirely.
Available in white, beige, or pastel colors to match your decor, these window coverings were considered the height of contemporary style. The distinctive sound of someone walking through them remains etched in our collective memory.
10. Waterbeds
What could be more luxurious than sleeping on a giant water balloon? Waterbeds reached peak popularity during the ’80s, complete with built-in heaters and fancy wooden frames.
The gentle rocking motion was supposed to provide better sleep, though many remember the nightmare of patching leaks. Those heavy vinyl mattresses required special sheets and created that distinctive sloshing sound with every movement.
11. Mirrored Walls
Why hang just one mirror when you could cover an entire wall? Mirrored surfaces expanded spaces and reflected light throughout ’80s homes.
Often installed in dining rooms or entryways, these reflective statements made rooms appear larger while doubling the visual impact of your brass decor. Some adventurous homeowners even opted for mirrored ceiling panels, creating a disco-inspired effect that defined the era.
12. Bathroom Carpet
In a puzzling design choice that defied practical thinking, wall-to-wall carpet in bathrooms somehow became acceptable. Usually in pastel shades matching the toilet and sink.
This moisture-loving floor covering surrounded toilet bases and tub edges, creating perfect conditions for mildew growth. Despite the obvious hygiene concerns, millions embraced this trend, creating a cleaning nightmare that would eventually be ripped out by horrified new homeowners.
13. Lacquered Furniture
High-gloss furniture in bold colors brought drama to ’80s interiors. These shiny surfaces reflected light and showcased the decade’s love of all things glossy.
Black, white, and even red lacquered pieces dominated bedrooms and living rooms alike. Often featuring rounded edges and geometric designs, these furniture pieces required constant dusting to maintain their mirror-like finish – showing every fingerprint and smudge.
14. Chintz Floral Fabrics
Floral patterns on steroids – that’s the best way to describe the chintz explosion of the ’80s. These glossy, often oversized floral prints covered everything from sofas to curtains.
Matching patterns would extend from furniture to wallpaper, creating immersive botanical environments in living rooms nationwide. The shiny finish on these fabrics added that extra touch of ’80s excess, making sure your flowers glistened in the track lighting.
15. Hunter Green and Burgundy
As the ’80s progressed, deeper colors emerged to challenge the pastel dominance. Hunter green paired with burgundy became the sophisticated choice for the fashion-forward home.
This rich color combination appeared on plaid patterns, upholstery, and wall colors. Often accompanied by gold accents, these jewel tones signaled a shift toward the more traditional styles that would dominate the early ’90s.
16. Southwestern Decor
Kokopelli figures, cactus motifs, and terracotta everything – the Southwestern trend brought desert vibes into suburban homes across America. This distinctive style featured earth tones with turquoise and coral accents.
Sand-colored walls provided the perfect backdrop for Native American-inspired patterns on rugs and throw pillows. Completed with clay pottery and wrought iron accessories, this look transformed ordinary living rooms into Santa Fe-inspired retreats.
17. Wicker and Rattan Furniture
Light-colored wicker and rattan pieces brought tropical vibes indoors during the ’80s. Peacock chairs, fan-backed headboards, and glass-topped rattan tables became status symbols.
Usually accompanied by abundant houseplants, these natural materials created airy, textured spaces. The distinctive creak of a wicker chair and the feeling of those tiny splinters in your legs remain vivid sensory memories for anyone who grew up during this era.
18. Etched Glass Tables
Coffee tables featuring elaborate etched glass designs supported by brass or glass bases epitomized ’80s sophistication. Swans, flowers, and abstract patterns were carved into these transparent surfaces.
These fragile statement pieces occupied center stage in formal living rooms. Constantly smudged with fingerprints and requiring special glass cleaner, they nevertheless remained proud showpieces for entertaining guests – though you’d never dare put your drink directly on them!
19. Foil Wallpaper
Nothing said luxury quite like metallic wallpaper catching light from every angle. These shimmering wall coverings featured patterns ranging from subtle textures to bold geometric designs.
Installed in dining rooms or entryways to create dramatic first impressions, foil wallpaper screamed opulence. The reflective qualities amplified light from brass chandeliers, creating a glittering environment that defined ’80s excess.
20. Hanging Ferns
Macramé plant hangers supporting massive Boston ferns dangled from ceilings in practically every ’80s home. These lush green plants dropped tiny leaves everywhere but remained beloved fixtures.
These botanical statements required regular misting and care. The more ambitious plant parents might have an entire jungle of hanging specimens, creating that distinctive ’80s biosphere effect in living rooms across America.