How To Use 80s Design Inspiration In Your Home

The 1980s were all about unapologetic opulence. With TV shows like “Dynasty” and “Dallas,” the decade of decadence featured interiors that had bold colors, mix and match patterns, and a smidge of chaos. Living rooms flaunted big, flashy personalities, while bedrooms had a barrage of frilly, chintzy florals. Today, the best parts of ’80s style are coming back, but instead of reviving its “more is more” cluttered aesthetic, the modern version is remixing the past in a way that feels fresh, curated, and clutter free.

Design has evolved since shoulder pads ruled the world and Duran Duran posters lined our walls. Home interiors in the ’80s celebrated layered textures, sculptural forms, and technicolor palettes. Those are still in play today, just in a more edited way. That means a playful, curated Memphis design-inspired look that balances ornate patterns, luxe textures, and bold colors. Instead of overwhelming your space with a clash of competing prints, choose just one or two standout elements — like a geometric rug paired with a striped throw or a bold piece of statement art with graphic shapes. Give each item enough breathing room so it can shine on its own without fighting for attention.

This new modern take on ’80s decor isn’t copying the past, it’s reinventing it. Whether you pull inspiration from pop art, Memphis design, or the electric color hue of the era, the goal is to mix patterns into your home decor and create a lively space that feels vibrant without looking chaotic.

There are a slew of popular home design trends that came out of the 1980s that were influenced by pop culture, sci-fi, and a growing fascination with technology, creating bold and unapologetically flashy looks. The pop art trend, though big in the 1960s, saw renewed interest in the 1980s. Synonymous with iconic names like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, it turned everyday objects into wall art by blending fine art with popular culture. Warhol’s use of things you can find in your pantry, like his famous Campbell’s soup cans and Lichtenstein’s bold, comic book-style paintings, challenged traditional ideas about what defines art. 

As pop art galleries took up residency on living room walls, the Memphis design style, another once-popular ’80s home design trend, had its way with home decor. It was a theatrical mashup of pop art, Art Deco, and a splash of kitsch, featuring bright colors, squiggly lines, geometric shapes, and laminate finishes. Meanwhile, fueled by the rise of personal computers, a futuristic trend took hold in the ’80s incorporating sleek metals, high-gloss plastic lacquers, and black-and-white color schemes like glossy coffee tables, leather sofas, and mirrored side tables. For those influenced by the ’80s fashion runways, florals and ruffles found their way into home decor. Floor-sweeping window coverings had all the bells and whistles — curtains, valances, and swag — in chintzy, English cottage-style florals. Homeowners in the ’80s were famous for coordinating their favorite prints, mixing busy patterns and floral motifs on their sofas, chairs, bedding, and everything in between.

Keeping the clutter in check while paying homage to ’80s home design means dialing back the loudness. Modern looks feature one or two bold shades, like teal, magenta, or terracotta, anchored with neutrals — blacks, whites, or grays. A bright sofa or electric blue accent wall brings a fun pop of color without taking over the space. You can then layer in prints and patterns. Geometric shapes, abstract squiggles, and checkerboards scream ’80s, but mix them in intentionally rather than wildly throwing them together. A striped rug paired with a geometric throw pillow can bring an era-inspired aesthetic without making the room dizzy.

An updated Memphis design look means less “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” and more artful, grown-up minimalism. Incorporating scattered shapes and lines — like an Ultrafragola mirror, tripod chairs for the kitchen table, or a wavy floating shelf in a bright color for the bathroom — can capture the era’s lively spirit minus the flashy spectacle. For another nod to the ’80s, incorporate pop art as a focal point. Hang your favorite pop art prints featuring retro advertising or abstract shapes that tie the whole look together. Add moody lighting with table or floor lamps in gold or bronze metallic hues.

Instead of filling every corner with 1980s-inspired elements, curate its placement around your space: One geometric-shaped lamp here, one funky vase there. It keeps your space open and airy rather than drowning it out with clutter — like, totally!