Embracing The 80s: Bringing A Retro Vibe into Your Interior and Home
Introduction
In an age where modern and minimalistic designs dominate the interior design scene, many people long for the nostalgic charm of the past. A retro vibe can infuse your home with character, warmth, and a sense of nostalgia. Whether you want to evoke the 1950s, 60s, 70s, or even the 80s, there are plenty of ways to bring that old-school allure into your living spaces.
Cousins Furniture was established in 1985. The 1980s was a decade of bold colours, geometric patterns, and an unmistakable sense of fun. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and ideas on how to bring the iconic 80s flair or retro ambience into your home. If you find yourself nostalgic for the vibrant and eclectic style of the 80s, you're not alone! Incorporating the 80sretro vibe into your interior and home can infuse your living spaces with energy and a touch of nostalgia.
Colours
Starting with colour, the colour palette plays a significant role in creating a retro atmosphere. The 80s were all about vibrant and neon colours. Consider using shades like electric blue, hot pink, neon green and bold purple for walls, furniture, and decor accents. Don't be afraid to mix and match these eye-catching hues for a true 80s ambience.
Although neon colours dominated the 80s, pastel hues were also in vogue. Use pastel-coloured decor items like vases, candleholders, and artwork to balance the boldness of the neon colours and create a well-rounded retro look. Use these colours in your walls, furniture, and decor to set the retro mood.
Go Bold with Patterns
Retro designs are all about bold patterns and prints. Incorporate polka dots, stripes, paisleys, and bold floral patterns into your upholstery, curtains, and rugs.
Just be sure to balance them out with solid colours to avoid overwhelming the space.
The Memphis Design movement was at its peak in the 80s, characterised by its quirky and unconventional aesthetic. Look for furniture pieces inspired by Memphis design, featuring asymmetrical shapes, bright colours, and a fusion of materials like plastic and metal. Geometric patterns were a hallmark of 80s design. Incorporate them into your interior through wallpapers, throw pillows, area rugs, and curtains. Opt for bold and striking patterns like chevrons, triangles, and squiggles to capture the essence of the era.
Vintage Style Furniture and Decor
Introduce vintage furniture and decor pieces that reflect the era you're aiming for. Look for retro sofas, armchairs, coffee tables, and lighting fixtures. Incorporate funky patterns and textures like shag carpets, geometric wallpapers, and floral prints to truly embrace the retro aesthetic.
Incorporate and embrace the materials commonly used in retro design, such as wood and metal. Opt for mid-century modern furniture with wooden accents and metallic legs. Copper and brass accents can also add a touch of glam to your retro interior.
Colourful Upholstery is another way of incorporating the retro vibe into your space. Choose furniture pieces with vibrant and bold upholstery. Look for sofas, armchairs, and ottomans in shades like electric blue, hot pink, neon green, and bright orange. Colourful upholstery instantly adds a pop of retro charm to your living spaces. Lacquered furniture was a staple of 80s design. Look for lacquered dressers, nightstands, orcabinets.
Curved and sectional sofas were trendy in the 80s, providing ample seating and a sleek look. Invest in a retro-style curved sofa or a modular sectional to add an authentic 80s touch to your living room. The postmodern movement heavily influenced 80s design. Look for furniture pieces that incorporate postmodern elements, such as sculptural shapes, mixed materials, and unconventional designs.
In the bedroom, consider a headboard with bold patterns or geometric shapes. Upholstered headboards in bright colours or textured materials can also be a nod to the 80s.
Statement Wall Art
Decorate your walls with posters featuring iconic 80s movie posters, music bands, and pop culture references. Frame vintage concert tickets, movie stubs, or album covers to add an extra touch of retro charm. Framed vinyl records can also make excellent wall decor.
A gallery wall is a great way to showcase multiple pieces of art in one area. You can create a display of your favourite spring-themed pieces, or mix in some of your existing art with new pieces. This can add a fun and dynamic focal point to your home.
Creating a gallery wall with a mix of framed prints, mirrors, and other decorative items to add interest and inject some personality into your space. Incorporate mirrors with ornate frames and metallic accents to add a touch of glam, as metallic finishes were popular in 80s interior design.
Accessorise your home with vintage textiles like embroidered cushions, crochet throws, and macramé wall hangings.
These soft textures add warmth and a cosy feel to your spaces while staying true to the retro style. One of the simplest and most affordable ways to update the décor in a room is by switching up your cushions and throws. Changing out the colour, pattern, or texture of your throws and pillows can instantly breathe new life into a space.
You can add pops of colour or coordinate your cushions with your existing décor. As already mentioned, Geometric patterns were a hallmark of 80s design. Look for throw pillows featuring bold geometric prints, such as chevrons, triangles, and abstract shapes. Mix and match these pillows on your sofas and chairs for an effortless retro touch.
Add texture and flair to your home with shag rugs, which were all the rage in the 80s. Look for rugs in bright colours or patterns to anchor your living spaces. Additionally, consider popcorn ceiling lamps or pendant lights with a retro flair to enhance the overall ambience Retro Appliances and Electronics are another way to add nostalgia to your home. Upgrade your kitchen with retro-style appliances like a colourful fridge or a classic-styled radio. For a more authentic touch, invest in vintage record players, rotary telephones, and retro-style alarm clocks.
These nostalgic gadgets will not only add a retro vibe but also become conversation starters. Integrate vintage electronics and gadgets to evoke a sense of nostalgia. Classic video game consoles, retro arcade machines, and old-school boom boxes can be great conversation starters and instantly transport you back to the 80s.
Conclusion
Bringing a retro vibe into your interior and home is an exciting journey into the past. By carefully selecting the right colours, furniture, decor, and accessories, you can create a space that exudes nostalgia and charm. Embracing the 80s retro vibe into your interior and home is a journey of rediscovering a colourful and dynamic era.
By incorporating neon colours, geometric patterns, vintage tech, and nostalgic pop culture references, you can create a space that celebrates the iconic style of the 80s.
Remember, the key to achieving a successful retro interior is balance and harmony between the vintage elements and modern functionality. So, let your creativity flow, and enjoy the process of transforming your living spaces into a blast from the past