The Undercurrent Leading the Design World Right Now
Shopping malls, big hair, synth-heavy pop music: If you’ve ever longed for a simpler time, it may have been the 1980s. The decade has captured hearts across generations and walks of life, and we’re not just talking about the fashion. The interior design of the ’80s has its own cult appeal, and it has never been more widespread than right now.
The resurgence of this ultra-expressive aesthetic is at least partly due to social media fatigue and oversaturation, says Next Wave designer Brad Thornton, who himself is a fan. “I can’t tell you how many times I hear, ‘I don’t want my home to look like a showroom’ or ‘I don’t want it to just look like everything else on Instagram.’” He adds, “With the increased focus on sharing our spaces online, the pursuit of ‘good taste’ became defined by a wave of sameness and a lack of personalization. That’s fine for an Airbnb, not ideal for a home.”
The maximalism of Memphis design and the sleekness of Italian postmodernism—both calling cards of the era—can add so much personality and structure to our homes. Keep reading to learn about their key elements and learn how to incorporate the saturated colors, geometric patterns, and more-is-more attitude in modern ways.
A Refined Approach to Maximalism
An at-home speakeasy designed by Sarah Stacey, hidden behind the doors of a vintage British phone booth, evokes a new kind of maximalism.
Designer Anne McDonald attributes the rise in Italian postmodernism to a need for comfort and safe spaces within our homes. “The 1980s maximalism movement felt like a lot of excess. The maximalism of today isn’t stuff for the sake of stuff but more about having your creature comforts around you,” she says.
This style meshes very well with the sculptural furniture trend we’ve seen in recent years as well. “Curved sofas look amazing but aren’t necessarily the most comfortable for binging your favorite show for hours,” Thornton says. “Italian postmodernism adds more structure and polish to the organic shapes we love.”
Emphasis on Personal Expression
A monkey console table and metal leg hook showcase the homeowners’ eclectic personality in an entryway by House of Honey.
“You would think the current expression of style and personality is a spin on all the visual noise we experience day to day, an attempt to compete with it and show the world something unique,” designer Kevin Sawyers says. “I think the frivolity of it is attractive in a time of despair.” 1980s design allows for a kind of rebellion against the millennial gray and modern renovations that plague our social media feeds. “It’s playful and bold, much like the fashion design of that era,” McDonald says. “I think people want to be seen and heard given the current political and social environments, as well as the digital age, and it’s a way to bring about a lot of expression in the home.”
Unexpected-Meets-Elevated Color Pairings
Mauve and turquoise, 1980s staples, find a new life in this bathroom by Kevin Sawyers.
The maximalism of ’80s interior design dealt with primary colors in overly saturated tones. In Memphis design, particularly in hospitality and commercial spaces, pops of color were seen against white backgrounds for added impact. “There’s also a hit of nostalgia, particularly for millennials, who recognize its ‘1990s Taco Bell’ energy,” Thornton says. “It’s fun, expressive, and taps into the comfort of a time before we had to pay our own bills!”
These days, the color pairings are less fast-food chain, and more elevated. Unexpected duos like burgundy and mint (a new favorite of Thornton’s) or teal and eggplant provide a lively backdrop for the more modern furnishings and finishes your space may already have.
Did you know? Borrowing its name from the Bob Dylan song, “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again,” Memphis Design is a movement that began in the 1980s in Italy, and is best known for its inclusion of vibrant colors and geometric elements.
Intentional Pattern Clashing
Geometic and floral prints are perfectly at odds in this Betsy Wntz-designed bathroom.
A key design element of the 1980’s—for better or for worse—is the intentional clashing and coordinating of patterns. Large-scale florals, geometric motifs, and bite-size prints were all utilized (sometimes in the same room) to create a dizzying, yet impactful, moment. “I can appreciate an intentional coordinated chintz moment, but it’s one of those trends that can be such a wow moment or such an epic fail,” Thornton warns. “When executed well, it can feel charming and surprisingly fresh, but it’s very easy to overdo it and get into unironically dated country club territory.” To avoid that trap, stay within one color family, or pattern-drench all in one print to maximize the pattern’s effect and create a statement.
More “Quiet” Glamour
A living room by interior designer Anne McDonald layers textures to blend furniture from different eras seamlessly.
“1980s design leaned into glamour—high-gloss finishes, dramatic silhouettes, and rich materials,” says 2025 Next Wave designer Ashi Waliany. “That influence is certainly back, but it’s being applied in quieter, more nuanced ways.” Rather than flaunting your wealth or style prowess through glitzy finishes and flashy artwork, homeowners are instead looking to furniture that speaks for them. “Oversized, curvaceous sofas in mohair or bouclé, or sleek marble dining tables with sculptural bases feel deeply rooted in that era, but are softened for today’s interiors,” Waliany says. “It’s less about flash, and more about form, texture, and a confident design point of view.”
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