13 Decorating Choices That Screamed ‘Modern’ in 1980
Ah, 1980. A year when futuristic meant mirrored surfaces, pastel leather, and putting a ficus tree in every room. Home design was all about sleek lines, high gloss, and the belief that more was more.
If you walked into a house rocking these looks back then, it felt like stepping into a stylish spaceship. But now? Some of these choices feel more retro than revolutionary.
Let’s take a fun stroll through the decorating decisions that once screamed “modern” in 1980.
1. Mirrored Walls
Covering walls in mirrors radiated futuristic glamour, amplifying space and light. Rooms sparkled, sometimes like a soap opera’s dance studio. Perfect for perm checks, less so for reflection-averse folks.
A hallmark of 80s ambition, these surfaces now shine as quirky echoes of a bold era.
2. Glass Block Partitions
Chunky glass bricks built see-through walls, blending privacy with faint light. Effective? Not quite, but their look dazzled in 1980. They gleamed with promise, though results fell short.
Now more punchline than design dream, glass blocks have ceded ground to sleeker solutions.
3. Mauve and Dusty Rose Everything
Muted pink-purple hues swept over upholstery, walls, even bathroom tiles. A soft, romantic balance to sharp furniture edges, they defined 80s warmth. Picture grandma’s guest room, plastic on the couch—that’s the vibe today.
Though charming then, this palette now evokes nostalgia over innovation.
4. Vertical Blinds
Swapping frilly curtains for sleek vertical blinds felt like a leap into the future. They slid open with flair, until slats tangled or snapped.
A symbol of 80s ease, they’ve since retreated to offices and rentals, outshined by softer window treatments.
5. Lucite Furniture
Clear plastic chairs and tables embodied chic minimalism, transparent in every sense. They dazzled in 1980, despite cracking easily and feeling icy.
That bold transparency once captivated, but Lucite’s fragility now dims its allure compared to warmer materials.
6. Brass Fixtures Everywhere
Brass was bold, brassy, and the finish of the moment. Faucets, door handles, and light fixtures—brass was everywhere. Its shiny presence was unmatched until it eventually fell out of favor.
Interestingly, brass has made a recent comeback, albeit in a matte form, illustrating how trends cycle back, albeit with a contemporary twist.
7. Track Lighting
Adjustable spotlights mounted on sleek rails? So modern. This lighting looked like it belonged in an art gallery, or a low-budget spy movie. Once the height of design, track lighting is now more of a nostalgic statement.
Though replaced by more subtle options, its flexibility and retro charm continue to appeal to some.
8. Popcorn Ceilings
Once hailed for their acoustic dampening and ease of installation, popcorn ceilings were in nearly every suburban home. They were modern because they looked ‘finished’ but were also impossible to clean and prone to crumbling. Plus, there was the asbestos issue.
Once considered a chic finish, they’ve become more of a renovation nightmare today.
9. Abstract Geometric Art Prints
Think bold triangles, swirls, and color-blocked shapes, often in black frames. It was art that matched your teal and mauve couch on purpose. Sophisticated back then, now it’s more likely to show up ironically on a T-shirt.
Though not as common now, these prints capture an era’s bold, artistic spirit that occasionally resurfaces in modern design.
10. Glass-Topped Coffee Tables with Chunky Bases
These tables gave every living room the look of a corporate boardroom, very ‘executive at leisure.’ The glass scratched easily and showed every fingerprint, but that didn’t stop people from proudly placing their coasters just right. Bonus points if the base was brass or marble.
While they’ve faded from the spotlight, their statement-making presence remains memorable.
11. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting (in Bold Colors)
Deep teal, dusty rose, or rich burgundy carpet covering every inch of floor? That was peak luxury. Never mind the vacuuming nightmare or the fact that you’d never find the remote again.
Wall-to-wall carpeting in vivid hues was a staple of 1980s chic, offering warmth and color despite its now-dated appeal and practical challenges.
12. Futuristic Clocks and Digital Displays
Those LED clocks that glowed red or green on your nightstand were as high-tech as it got. Some were built into furniture or mounted to the wall, looking straight out of a sci-fi film. They hummed, they blinked, and they told time with authority.
Though outmoded by today’s standards, they’re a charming nod to the tech aspirations of the past.
13. Indoor Ficus Trees
Because nothing said ‘sophisticated’ like an indoor tree in a giant planter next to your mirrored wall. Bonus points if it was real and you somehow kept it alive. These leafy status symbols have since been replaced by succulents and snake plants, but back then? Pure class.
The ficus tree remains a lush reminder of 1980s aspirations for indoor greenery.