80’s interior design
Okay – 80s interior design is kind of a trip, but in the best way if you get it. It’s bold, loud, a little weird, and honestly…kind of genius in moments. You’ve got Memphis-style squiggles, chrome everything, lacquered furniture, glass blocks, pastel mauves and dusty blues, and like, a wild amount of black lacquer. It’s not everyone’s vibe, but when it’s done right? So chic. So unexpected.
But yeah – some parts didn’t age great. That faux-futuristic, spaceship look? Sometimes too cold. The heavy use of mirrors? Can feel like a mall. Still, there’s a way to bring in just enough 80s to make a space feel cool without it screaming “time capsule.” Think: one lacquered console, a tubular steel chair, or an angular pastel lamp.
Let’s Talk About 80s Interior Design. A Totally Tubular Trip Down Memory Lane.
So, I was thinking the other day about how wild the 80s were. Like, not that I was there or anything (I mean, clearly), but the more I dig into it, the more I’m obsessed with everything from that decade – especially the interior design. Seriously, 80s homes were on another level. So, buckle up because we’re about to take a rad journey back in time and dive deep into the bold, funky world of 80s interior design. Trust me, it’s gonna be gnarly.
The 80s Vibe
What’s the Deal?
The 80s were loud. Like, really loud. Big hair, shoulder pads, neon, and way too much chrome. People were obsessed with the future – tech was new, MTV was fresh, and everyone wanted their home to feel bold and different.
Interiors weren’t about playing it safe. They were wild, expressive, kind of chaotic – in a fun way. Bright colors, squiggly shapes, glass blocks, pastel everything. Texture on texture. Pattern on pattern. Homes felt like a personality test…on steroids.
And honestly? That confidence is kinda iconic.
The wild, weird, and totally iconic era
Let’s talk 80s interiors. Total vibe. Think neon, wild prints, pastel overload, maybe a glass brick wall if you were feeling fancy. And yeah – some of it looked straight out of Miami Vice. But honestly? That’s what made it fun.
The 80s were extra, and they owned it. Every room had something to say. Shiny surfaces, sculptural furniture, weird shapes that made zero sense but somehow worked. People weren’t afraid to go bold – and I kind of love that.
80s Inspiraions
1 Floor lamp – Flos – Arco floor lamp
2 Wall art – Anastasiia Novitskaya – Lost
3 Rug – CassiCon – Centimetre rug
4 Sofa – Tacchini – Julep Sofa
5 Table lamp – Martinelli Luce – Pipistrella Lamp
6 Lounge chair & ottoman – Vitra – Eames lounge chair
7 Table – Knoll – Saarinen Coffee Table
8 Stool – Herman Miller – Eames Turned Stool
9 – Chair – Knoll – Rattan MR Chair
1 Stool – Herman Miller – Eames Turned Stool
2 B&B Italia – Le Bambole Sofa
3 Wall art – Ruth Mulvie – Cactus Garden
4 Floor lamp –Venetia Studium – Studio 76 Fortuny Floor Lamp
5 Coat rack – Brass Saguaro Cactus Coat Rack
6 Coffee table – B&B Italia – Alanda 18 coffee table
7 Lounge chair – Cassina – LC4 Chaise Longue Chair
8 Rug – ClassiCon – Kilkenny Rug
9 Chair – Cassina – Zig-zag Chair
1 Floor lamp – Artemide – Tolomeo Mega Floor Lamp
2 de Sede – DS-600 Snake
3 Rug – Spinneybeck – Cowhide Rug
4 Table lamp – Martinelli Luce – Pipistrella Lamp
5 Chair – Castelli Italy – Black and Transparent Plia Chairs
6 Coffee table – FontanaArte – Tavolo con Ruote Coffee Table
7 Side table – CassiCon – Adjustable Table E 1027
8 Chair – Eerno Aarnio Originals – Pastil Chair
9 Vase – Iittala – Aalto vase
10 Lounge chair – Knoll – Wassily Chair
1 Floor lamp – Mid-Century Chrome Adjustable Pharmacy Floor lamp
2 Credenza – Pace Collection – 1970’s Leon Rosen Wood Stainless Steel Credenza
3 Vase – Serax – Ceramic cactus vase set
4 Rug – CassiCon – Castellar Rug
5 Sofa – Cassina – 3 Fauteuil Grand Confort
6 Table lamp – Flos – Taccia Table Lamp
7 Bench/Coffee table – Herman Miller – Nelson Platfrom Bench
8 Side table – Knoll – Laccio Table Small by Marcel Breuer
9 Lounge chair – Knoll – Bertoia Diamond Chair
Historical context of 80s interior design
Alright, quick rewind. The 80s were booming – money was flowing, people were living, and everything fel shiny and full of possibility. Luxury wasn’t just for the elite anymore. Middle-class falks were splurging too, and homes became this big flex.
More was more.
Pop culture was exploding. Madonna, Prince, and Micheal Jackson weren’t just topping charts – they were shaping style. Big color, bold, choices, glam everywhere. TV shows like Dynasty and Miami Vice were basically mood boards for the decade. People saw those marble floors and mirrored walls and said, “Yeah, I need that in my living room”.
Tech was blowing up too. Computers, video game consoles, digital gadgets – suddenly, the future felt real.
So interior followed. Sleek materials, neon lighting, glass bricks, lucite furniture. Basically anything that looked high-tech and a little flashy.
It was optimism meets excess meets sci-fi gantasy. And honestly? That combo made 80s interiors kind of unforgettable.
Maximalism madness
The 80s didn’t do chill. Minimalism? Not invited. This was the decade of more everything.
More color, more pattern, more texture. If your living room didn’t feel like a fever dream in the best was, you weren’t doing it right.
Walls were wild – wallpaper with tropical prints, pastel florals, even fill-on flamingo scenes. And pattern mixing? No ruls. You’d see geometric shapes, animal prints, stripes, and maybe a few palm trees. All in the same room. Somehow, ot worked.
The 80s color palette
Soft vs loud
Color was either sof and dreamy or loud and eclectic. Pastels ruled in Miami-inspired homes – think baby pink, mint greens, powder blues. Totally poolside cocktail-core.
But neon had its moment too. Hot pink, acid yellow, colabt – nothing subtle, ever.
If you wanted to go blod in the 80s – and let’s be real, everyone did – neon was the move. Hot pink, electric blue, acid green. It was all fair game.
You didn’t just add a pop.
You drenched the room in it. Neon signs, glowing accents, full-on flourescent vibes. It was giving music video energy. I live for that kind of confidence.
But it wasn’t all color chaos. Some poeple went monochrome route – black and withe everything. Checkerboard floors were everywhere. Super graphic, super punchy. And than they’d layer it with metallics or neon for that sleek, space-age look.
Mirrors, mirrors, and more mirrors
The 80s had a serious thing for mirrors. Like, full-blown obsession. Mirrored walls, mirrored coffee tables, mirrored dresserd. You couldn’t turn around without catching your reflection somewhere…Kinda iconic.
It wasn’t just about vanity (although…let’s be hones, that didn’t hurt). Mirrors made rooms feel bigger, flashier and way more glam. The vibe was disco meets luxury hotel lobby.
The Memphis Group
Making weird cool
Now, if there’s one design group that defined the 80s, it’s the Memphis Group. These guys were the rebels of interior design. Founded in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass (who has the coolest name ever, btw), the Memphis Group decided that furniture didn’t need to be boring or even super functional. They were like, “What if we made a bookcase that looks like a Tetris game?”
That’s basically what they did. One of their most famous pieces is the Carlton Bookcase. This thing is a whole explosion of shapes and colors. It’s kind of confusing at first glance but in the best way. Then there’s the Tahiti Lamp, which is shaped like a bird with a neon beak. Why? Because why not. It’s quirky, fun, and somehow manages to be functional.
Art Deco
But make it 80s
The 80s were also really into bringing back Art Deco. But of course, they made it more extra because that’s just what the 80s did. This wasn’t the sleek, elegant Art Deco of the 1920s – it was bigger, bolder, and shinier. Think glossy black finishes, geometric patterns, and a lot of gold and brass.
Furniture like the Togo Sofa, originally designed by Michel Ducaroy in the 70s, became a staple in 80s homes. This squishy, low-to-the-ground sofa was perfect for lounging (and honestly, for watching VHS movies all day). It was comfy, soft, and fit right into that laid-back but still glam vibe that the 80s mastered.
The rise of tech
Enter the entertainment center
One thing that really shaped 80s interiors? Technology. TVs were getting bigger, VCRs were the future, and home stereo systems were, like, the thing to have. Enter the entertainment center. These massive, wall-sized units were designed to hold all your tech – your TV, your stereo, your stack of VHS tapes. Bonus points if it had glass doors to show off all your electronics.
These things were usually made of dark wood or black laminate, and they dominated living rooms. You didn’t just place your TV on a stand—no, you had an entire home theater setup. If you had one of these, you were living the 80s dream.
Glass blocks and Lucite
See-through style
If you’ve ever seen a house from the 80s, you’ve probably seen glass blocks. People loved using these semi-transparent blocks for walls, shower enclosures, and even room dividers. They let in light but still gave you privacy, which was perfect for creating that airy, futuristic feel the 80s were obsessed with.
Another major trend? Lucite furniture. This clear acrylic material was all over the place in the 80s – chairs, tables, lamps. It was sleek, modern, and felt like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. One of the most famous Lucite pieces from the era is the Z-chair – a transparent, sculptural chair that looks like a work of art but was still functional.
Houseplants, everywhere
The 80s weren’t all about shiny surfaces and tech – they also had a serious love for houseplants. Homes were basically jungles. People filled their spaces with ferns, ficus trees, and spider plants, often displayed in hanging planters or rattan plant stands.
Speaking of rattan, this material was a huge trend in the 80s. Rattan chairs, tables, and plant stands were perfect for those who wanted to bring a little tropical Miami energy into their homes. It added texture and warmth to spaces that might otherwise feel a little too glossy.
Where can you find 80s gems today?
So, now that you’re all in on the 80s aesthetic, you’re probably wondering where to get your hands on some of these iconic pieces. Don’t worry – there are tons of places to find 80s furniture, and the good news? It’s having a major comeback.
Second-hand options
First off, try eBay and Etsy. Both sites are goldmines for vintage furniture, and you can easily search for 80s pieces like mirrored dressers, Lucite chairs, or those iconic Memphis Group designs. Just make sure to look for trusted sellers, and don’t be afraid to ask for more photos to check the condition.
You can also check out thrift stores and flea markets if you like the thrill of the hunt. It’s not uncommon to find original 80s pieces hidden away, and you can usually score them for a steal.
New ones
For high-end 80s furniture, websites like 1stdibs are where you’ll find the real designer stuff, but it’s pricey. If you want an authentic Memphis Group piece, be prepared to drop some serious cash.
And lastly, there’s modh.it, a site dedicated to vintage furniture that often has those quirky 80s pieces you’ve been dreaming about. It’s a great spot to find curated selections without spending forever searching.
And there you have it – 80s interior design, wild and wonderful, just like the decade itself. It was a time when people took risks, made bold choices, and filled their homes with personality. Whether you’re ready to fully embrace the neon madness or just want to add a mirrored table or two, one thing’s for sure: the 80s are calling, and your space could use a little throwback flair.
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