12 Furniture Styles That Screamed ’80s
These loud, bold, and often bizarre furniture trends defined 1980s home decor—and not always in a good way.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The 1980s weren’t exactly known for subtlety, and that went double for interior design. From mirrored walls to pastel overload, furniture from this era made bold statements, whether you liked them or not. Here are 12 furniture styles that captured the look and feel of the ’80s in unforgettable (and sometimes cringey) ways.
1. Overstuffed Sectionals
KoolShooters on Pexels
Massive, puffy, and often covered in pastel or beige fabric, these couches dominated living rooms. They were all about comfort, but subtlety? Not so much.
2. Mirrored Furniture
Daderot on Wikimedia Commons
Dressers, nightstands, and even coffee tables were covered in reflective surfaces. These surfaces were meant to add glam and light, but they usually just reflected dust and fingerprints.
3. Lacquered Finishes
pic-a-flik54 on Wikimedia Commons
High-gloss lacquered furniture, especially in black or white, was the ultimate in modern cool. It looked sleek but was prone to scratches and chips.
4. Brass and Glass Tables
Tangerineduel on Wikimedia Commons
Think gold-toned metal frames with smoky or clear glass tops. Found everywhere from dining sets to end tables, they screamed Reagan-era elegance.
5. Mauve and Seafoam Color Schemes
Kaleidico on Unsplash
It’s not exactly a furniture type, but these soft hues were baked into every piece. Upholstery, carpets, and even wood tints embraced this dreamy pastel palette.
6. Entertainment Centers the Size of a Wall
Chuckwagon700 on Wikimedia Commons
These were built to house those massive tube TVs and every VHS tape you owned. These wooden giants often had faux wood finishes and tons of shelving.
7. Rattan and Wicker Revival
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
Rattan made a huge comeback in the ’80s, especially in sunrooms and patios. Light, bendy, and tropical-looking, it gave homes a vacation vibe.
8. Futuristic “Memphis” Style Pieces
Dennis Zanone on Wikimedia Commons
Inspired by the Memphis Design Group, these were colorful, abstract, and totally wild. Angular shapes, clashing colors, and geometric patterns made them stand out—sometimes too much.
9. Canopy Beds with Sheer Drapes
Alexey Demidov on Pexels
Teen girls especially loved these dreamy, princess-style beds. The frames were often white metal or light wood, draped with pastel fabric.
10. Formica Everything
Stephen Coles on Flickr
This plastic laminate was often used to coat kitchen tables, countertops, and even desks. It was durable but looked cheap, especially in faux wood or speckled patterns.
11. Bean Bag Chairs
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Oversized, shapeless, and filled with tiny pellets, these bean bag chairs were a bedroom must-have. While not exclusive to the ’80s, their popularity soared during the decade.
12. Clunky Waterbeds
Robert Paprstein on Wikimedia Commons
Heavy, hard to move, and oddly hypnotic, waterbeds were peak ’80s bedroom luxury. They promised comfort and cool factor but leaked and sloshed their way out of favor.