The ‘80s were, without a doubt, a decade that left an indelible mark on pop culture, fashion, and music, but that decade’s style has also left its mark on our homes, and no room was more affected than the bedroom. Back then, bedrooms were anything but minimalistic; they were eclectic, vibrant, and over the top. Over the past few decades, as design tastes have become more about clean lines and muted tones, many of the unique options that once filled ‘80s bedrooms have been tucked away in the pages of history, all but forgotten by modern, more subdued tastes.
Let’s take a look at some of these iconic bedroom trends that were once the coolest thing, but now seem so far removed.
Oversized Headboards
Bigger was better in the ‘80s, and that included headboards. Most had oversized headboards, which were halfway up the wall with built-in shelves or lights. In fact, some even had plush padding for extra comfort. People have moved away from a heavy headboard and toward a sleeker, lower headboard that feels lighter and more spacious.
Track Lighting
Track lighting was another relic of ‘80s design, and was a popular choice for bedrooms, especially if you were going for a modern look. Tracks with adjustable lights on them could be directed where you wanted them as well, and they would emit a sophisticated, but somewhat intense feel. Today, track lighting is most often reserved for the kitchen or art gallery, while softer bedside lamps or recessed lighting are taking over the bedroom.
Pastel Palettes
In the ‘80s, bedrooms ran amok with pastels—hopefully soft pinks, mint greens, baby blues, and pale yellows. These gentle hues would drench entire rooms with a look that was part sugary and part soothing. Pastels have had a slight resurgence in modern decor, but they’re usually applied sparingly. But in the ‘80s, it was all pastel, from wall to wall, including the bedspread and curtains.
Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
In the ‘80s, wall-to-wall carpeting was king—forget hardwood floors or sleek tiles. Some bedrooms were fully carpeted, in shades that matched the room’s color scheme. While people always loved the cozy feel of a carpeted floor underfoot, modern sensibilities skew toward rugs over hardwood or laminate flooring, particularly because carpet can be difficult to maintain over time.
Brass Everything
It was not just a metal, but a full-blown obsession. Brass was everywhere in the ‘80s bedroom, from bed frames to drawer pulls, all the way down to table lamps. When things moved on, brass became too glitzy, too flashy, and an outdated trend. Today’s designs lean more toward less overwhelming metallics such as brushed nickel or matte black.
Mirrored Furniture
In the ‘80s, mirrors were everywhere in the bedrooms: mirrored dressers, mirrored wardrobes, mirrored nightstands, doubling up the space. If mirrors could make a room look bigger, people were interested, and the reflective surfaces also added glamour. Mirrored furniture, however, was the constant battle against fingerprints and smudges. These days, you won’t find mirrored furniture, as designers and homeowners alike are on board with matte finishes that are better to look at and easier to clean as well.
Over-the-Top Window Valances
If you thought curtains were enough, you were wrong. Window valances in the ‘80s were the finishing touch to a bedroom done nicely. Above the windows, these fabric ornaments, sometimes in bold prints, sometimes ruffled, gave the windows a sense of mini stage set. Window valances in today’s day and age are something that has largely been retired; people now want to keep window shades or drapes simple and sleek with no extra frills.
Neon Lights
Neon lights weren’t just for diners and clubs; they found their way into bedrooms. Others hung pink or blue lights around the ceiling or even added neon signs with phrases such as ‘Dream” or ‘Love. The nightclub vibe was unmistakably ‘80s, but the neon lights weren’t subtle at all. These days, if you see neon, it’s probably in a more put-together or minimalistic form that’s reserved for trendy bars and restaurants rather than cuddly bedrooms.
Lace Bedspreads
A lace bedspread was what you’d use if you wanted your bedroom to look like it came from a fairy tale. These hand-stitched covers provided a romantic, feminine touch to bedrooms all over the country. Lace was difficult to keep up, easily snagged, and not exactly warm in the winter. Bedspreads of today are much more practical and machine washable, and lace is used hardly at all for anything except as an accent piece, if it’s used at all.
Glass Block Accents
Glass blocks were part of the futuristic designs of the ‘80s. Sometimes the bedroom was divided with glass block partitions, and they let in the light. It was sort of industrial, but also sort of cozy, with a modern feel. Today, glass blocks have pretty much disappeared from home decor because their bulky look doesn’t go with the streamlined, open concept spaces people love today.
Faux Plants Galore
Faux plants were the go-to decor long before houseplants were a symbol of wellness. Plastic ferns, ivy, palms never watered, cluttered bedroom shelves and corners. They added a little bit of nature to the room, without any of the upkeep, but they collected dust like crazy. Live plants are now taking over, providing both beauty and air-purifying benefits.
Ruffled Dust Ruffles
Dust ruffles weren’t just practical in the ‘80s; they were actually decorative. These bed skirts were usually very fluffy with maybe a few layers of ruffle or lace to give an extra bit of flair. They were made to go with or match your bedspread, and they hid anything you stored under the bed. There are still dust ruffles, but they’re not nearly as ornate as they used to be, with far simpler designs replacing the frilly, dramatic ruffles.
Floral Wallpaper Galore
A garden of floral wallpaper was the stuff of bedrooms in the ‘80s, if you ever walked in. These floral patterns were often covered across whole rooms in pastel colours of pink, peach, and mint. The norm was flowers everywhere, and there was no such thing as “too much.” Back then, floral wallpaper was the way to go to create a “cozy” bedroom, and today’s homeowners might be more likely to select one accent wall or avoid florals altogether, but then, floral wallpaper was the way to go.
Waterbeds
In the ‘80s, waterbeds were the pinnacle of ‘80s bedroom luxury. You had “arrived” if you owned one. These beds weren’t just places to sleep; they were a whole experience, rocking, rolling, sometimes spilling. Waterbeds were incredibly popular at the time — so much so that they slowly faded out as people realized they were hard to maintain and, well, a little strange. Today, most people go for memory foam or a classic spring mattress.
Canopy Beds With Ruffles
Nothing says 80s glamour quite like a canopy bed under which layers of ruffled fabric scream out for you to drape yourself in. The more fabric, the better. Lace, satin, and even sheer curtains were used to make their bedrooms dramatic. The beds were so elaborate that you would think anyone who slept in them would feel like royalty, but they were so darn fussy, you had to keep dusting and fluffing them all the time. Today’s canopy beds, if there are any at all, have frequently clean lines and minimal fabric.
