Rev up the DeLorean and get set to go back to the future! The same decade that spawned countless classics like Top Gun, Miami Vice and Charlie’s Angels is now back in style when it comes to home interior design.
While some ’80s trends — like pastel colors and neon socks — might make us shudder, others — like funky patterns and kitchen tables — deserve a second chance. Here’s a look at some ’80s trends designers have embraced and freshened up for today.
Small kitchen islands: The ’80s marked the beginning of the utilitarian island trend, and kitchen islands started small. Remember those chunky square butcher block–topped islands that you could slide in and out for food prep? During the 90s and early 2000s, they kept growing and often ended up the largest element in the room, containing microwaves, dishwashers, a second sink and a breakfast bar. But as many try to live in smaller spaces, small islands are making a comeback.
A traditional kitchen table: Instead of sidling up to a kitchen island to eat meals, families used to pull up chairs to a kitchen table, eating their cereal and waffles together in their PJs, connecting and planning their days while worrying about the nuclear arms race. 1980s kitchens almost always had room included for the kitchen table, and there was a separate formal dining room. Today we’re more likely to see kitchen island bar tops, breakfast nooks and open plans in which the kitchen is right next to the dining area, but the kitchen table is starting to make a comeback
Patterns: Stitch patterns that started in the 1980s such as chevrons, bargello and the ikat look are all making a comeback. This is a big change from the early 2000s, where we completely move away from patterns altogether. Now, it’s common for homeowners to pair a patterned chair with a neutral couch.
Brass: Another ’80s trend that’s back is brass. Today’s brass looks are antiqued or burnished, however, whereas ’80s brass was highly polished.
Warhol: In the ‘80s, pop art was all the rage. That has come full circle with pop art available in every store and artists like Shepard Fairey becoming a common name among art aficionados.
Brights: Color’s back, baby! While most designers prefer muted tones for walls and furniture, it’s not uncommon to see color pops mixed in. While the colors are very bright, they stop short of the obnoxious blinding neons of the ’80s.
Southwestern style: During the ’80s, Southwestern style spread across the U.S. faster than Chi-Chis franchises. It was usually a common formula of navajo blanket plus skull plus gratuitous use of apricot paint equals “Southwestern.” Today, Southwestern style is as popular as ever, but the kitschy theme-y-ness has been replaced by subtler interpretations of Spanish colonial desert style.
White-hot South Florida style: While pastel T-shirts worn under linen suits with pushed-up sleeves are out, the cool white contemporary glass house style of Miami Vice has proven staying power. Whether it’s a white leather sofa or a white chenille rug, it’s going to be a great, modern look.
Are there any other ‘80s trends that you see coming back into style? How about ‘80s styles that you hope to never see again? Sound off below!