4 min readTo paraphrase the Cyndi Lauper anthem, interior designers just want to have fun. And increasingly, they’re looking to the decade of big, bold design for inspiration: the 1980s. The most exuberant hallmarks of the Designing Women era are getting a modern refresh, injecting cheeky personality and distinctive style in today’s homes.
“To me, the ’80s was really the heyday of decorating,” says Kati Curtis of her eponymous New York design firm. “Trim, fringe, borders, pattern washing, and different patterns layered together to create rooms with incredible depth and personality.”
That doesn’t mean designing a home like a time capsule. “I don’t want to recreate an ’80s room literally,” she says. “But I love bringing that richness and attention to detail into a modern context.”
Alex Alonso, founder of Mr. Alex Tate Design, agrees. “Overall, we want spaces to feel eclectic and timeless, while giving a few nods to the ’80s,” he says.
We asked designers how to bring the flair of the 1980s into your interiors without making it feel stuck in the past. If you’re looking to pump up the jam, decoratively speaking, these are the trends to try.
Floral Upholstery
What could be more Steel Magnolias than a floral couch? In the space above, Melissa Lee of Bespoke Only in Brooklyn lays on the chintz, but does so sparingly and strategically, on a streamlined sofa with no matching armchair or drapes.
“We love the nostalgic quality of ‘80s floral upholstery, but also believe these patterns can feel remarkably fresh when viewed through a contemporary lens,” says Lee. “Paired with cleaner silhouettes, a more restrained palette, and modern materials, they take on an entirely new character, familiar yet unexpected. It’s all about context."
Scalloped Headboards
Retro, elegant, and lots of fun: That describes both this upholstered bed and its inspiration.
“We channeled our inner Golden Girls with this Blanche Devereaux–inspired scalloped headboard,” Alonso says. “We complemented the headboard with modern, geometric drapery and more current elements like the low Italian nightstands and the long, oval wall sconces.”
Tropical Wallpaper
Some serious Miami Vice vibes come from this tropical wallpaper, which Alonso lovingly calls “over the top.” He balances it out with clean lines via contrasting striped wallpaper on the ceiling and “a minimalist pendant in a deep purple.”
Mirrored Surfaces
In the ‘80s, mirrored walls weren’t just for dance studios—they lined regular living spaces, making the spaces look bigger and giving homeowners a chance to check their side ponytails before heading out to the mall. For a more modern take, line smaller spaces with mirrors, as Alonso did in this Naples, Florida, bar area.
To keep things current, “we purposely went with geometric drapery, animal print textured wallpaper. The wine storage behind the bar, the doors, and the hardware remained sleeker and modern,” he explains.
Soft Shades
“In the ‘80s, designers often used pastels, like peach and seafoam, to create a lighter, airy space,” says Barry Bordelon of The Brownstone Boys. When he and his partner renovated their own historic brownstone in Brooklyn, they took a lesson from that trend.
“Our goal was to choose a shade that brings energy to the walls. We opted for a muddy green in our kitchen because it draws in a sense of nature from the backyard, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living.”
Floral Wallpaper
The queen of 1980s design was Laura Ashley, beloved for her floral-patterned wallpaper and chintz upholstery.
“The wallpaper of the ‘80s typically featured soft, pastel florals,” notes Jordan Slocum, the other half of the Brownstone Boys. In their own home, “we chose florals for one of our bedrooms as it was a natural way to bring color to the space.”
What keeps the look feeling modern is the color palette—and a little restraint. Unlike a quintessential ’80s room, where the bedspread might match the drapes (and the wallpaper), the Brownstone Boys balanced their florals with solid green paint on the doors and wainscoting.
“Today, there is an abundance of options in wallpaper, so we were able to choose a delicate floral pattern that was rooted in a mid-century green, but when paired with a strong and moody yellow it created a cozy space—exactly what a bedroom should be,” says Slocum.
Glass Bricks
In every upscale apartment you saw on TV in the ‘80s, the owners had glass bricks (or blocks) in their showers, kitchens, or leading to their patios. Though once seen as the height of kitsch, designers are re-embracing this translucent material now.
“Glass blocks are making a massive comeback, as the block offers a chic balance of privacy and light transmission,” says Jim Cherry of Jim Cherry Luxury Homes in Palm City, Florida. “Here, we treated the material as an architectural element, forming a clean, sculptural shower enclosure that gently defines the space. The curved configuration softens the bathroom’s lines, while the translucent blocks allow natural light to travel through the room without compromising privacy.”
As always, the key is to temper the ‘80s sumptuousness with a more refined look.
“Glass block can feel timeless and sophisticated when it is used purposefully rather than just decoratively,” Cherry notes.
Colored Marble
Dramatically veined marble in bold hues was a must-have in ‘80s design. Here, Cherry updates the look for a more streamlined, but still luxurious, feel.
“The turquoise tile here is unapologetically borrowed from the '80s color palette, but we're pairing it with materials and proportions that feel rigorously modern—the black marble base, frameless glass enclosure, and a geometric tile grid that reads clean rather than cluttered,” says Cherry. “The result feels nostalgic but not retro; it has personality without being a costume.”
