The ’80s Are Back (Again)—These Are the 5 Trends Designers Are Digging

There is a never-ending air of nostalgia in the world of design, where every few years another It era makes everything old new again. Mid-century modern is always on rotation, and we recently saw a resurgence of the 1970s with retro storage units, shag carpet, and sunken lounges, but according to 1stDibs, a totally tubular time period is getting a replay. The vintage marketplace surveyed nearly 900 interior designers across the U.S., and it’s official: There’s an ’80s revival on the horizon. 

When asked which of the past seven decades are most likely to make a comeback in 2023, nearly 30 percent of the pros said the 1980s, followed by the ’50s and then the ’70s (which dropped from 36 percent to 12 percent in the past year). While we wait to see if the prediction comes true, we asked designers: Which ’80s decor trend would you actually love to see again? Here’s how they would embrace the return.

Pile It On

Nothing is more ’80s than chintz. I would love to see the return of chintz on chintz on chintz with ruffles and trim, to boot. —Sasha Biskoff, founder, Sasha Biskoff Interior Design

Take It to the Max

I love how rooms were done within an inch of their lives: They were covered head to toe in a single Laura Ashley fabric; had amazingly lush window treatments; and included preppy, chic, allover stripes in a blue and white palette. These are a great source of inspiration for the maximalist interiors we’re loving these days. —Maryline Damour, cofounder, Damour Drake

Make It Monochrome

[This] will forever be one of my favorite eras of design, and I would love to lean into the use of a singular bold color to pull a space together. I’m thinking Halston’s office in the Olympic Tower; he basically used red as a neutral by mixing in materials in one singular color. —Jenny Kaplan, cofounder, Pieces by An Aesthetic Pursuit

Block It Out

Our studio and our clients are leaning into more geometrically interesting shapes and bold colors, a nod to the iconic Memphis design of the ’80s. Hear me out: Those glass block windows and wall elements are a big source of inspiration for [us] at the moment. We’re leaning into “ice” and colored glass accessories to add levity and playfulness. —Sarah Weichel, founder, Swike Design 

Curve and Color It 

Bring back the arches, curves, and quirks. Everything from curved furnishings to more eccentric accents allows for personality and flow in any space, and this revival plays into the work we have been conceptually designing for many years. I’d also love to see a resurgence of layering fun, earthy pastels with patterns (think: pinks and greens with organic twists). —Cortney Bishop, founder, Cortney Bishop Design