80s Interior Decorating

Minimalism

• A stripped down, minimalist look evokes memories of 1980s décor in a living room, dining room or bedroom. Paint the walls a stark white color and opt for a plain wood floor. For a truly authentic look, consider bleached wood for your flooring and forgo any type of rugs. Choose furniture in a single color, such as black or gray, and use only select pieces that are essential. For example, in a living room, a sofa, pair of armchairs and coffee table are usually sufficient. Leave walls bare, except for one or two large pieces of modern art. For a true 1980s look, opt for art that has a graphic design element to it.

Bold Color

• Another way to capture a 1980s look is to incorporate bold color in your room's design. Bright, primary colors and neon shades are both reminiscent of the 1980s and instantly brighten a room. However, painting your walls bright yellow or neon pink can easily overwhelm a space. Instead, choose a neutral color, like cream, beige or tan, for the walls and incorporate color in smaller accent pieces, such as your sofa, curtains, rug, throw pillows or artwork. For a funky 1980s look, search for patterned wallpaper that uses a bold color and create an accent wall that livens up the room.

Leather Furniture

• Leather furniture was a common feature of 1980s home décor, so it's an ideal way to incorporate some 1980s flair into your home's design. A leather sofa or armchair is ideal for a living room. To avoid a dated look, however, opt for leather furniture that has clean, simple lines that give it a modern feel. Black or gray leather works as an ideal neutral for your furniture, but you can choose another dark shade, such as hunter green or chocolate brown. White leather furniture is another possibility, but it is difficult to keep clean so it is not an ideal option if you have small children or pets in your home.

Lacquered Furniture

• If you want to give your bedroom a 1980s inspired look, choose furniture with a lacquered finish. The sleek, shiny look of lacquered furniture instantly dresses up the room, while giving it a retro feel. A black lacquered finish is the most traditional, but you can opt for a bolder color like red or blue to give the room brightness. To avoid a dated look for your bedroom, use only a couple of pieces of lacquered furniture. For example, if you opt for a lacquered bed frame, choose a matte finish for your nightstands, vanity and dresser. If you go with lacquered nightstands, a matte bed frame, dresser and vanity are better options.