In 2020 we are beginning to see the reintroduction of many 80s fashion trends, with perms and neon scrunchies being predicted as the next dip dye or silver locks! This led me to wonder…could the resurrection of 80s fashion start to bring back some of the classic 80s interior trends?
The past year has seen a huge fashion boom in the vintage clothing sector. Many people are changing their lifestyles to become more eco-conscious and for many, this means the revival of their mum’s favourite pair of 504 Levi’s or the repurposing of their dad’s old shirt. This has been a trend which has been growing over the last few years – beginning just before the introduction of apps such as Depop and many others, where you can purchase often second-hand fashion items for a bargain! These apps then encouraged the growth of the vintage trend and saw the increase in events such as kilo sales and specialised reworked vintage shops. Now moving into 2020, we are beginning to see this trend begin to specialise and venture into the explosion of all things colourful that is the 80s.
With all this rebirth of the 80s style icons and their fashions I personally would like to bring back some classic 80s interior trends that have now been forgotten and left behind.
One big 80s style we can’t ignore is florals! We are talking matching chintz everywhere. Every. Where. While I do not advise readers to now go and cover every surface in florals – we can learn from this trend. A great way to incorporate a bit more 80s style is by introducing more minimal florals into a space. This could be in the form of simple art prints, accent fabrics or even a feature wall with a light chintz pattern if you really want to push the boat out. The great thing about this trend is you can take it however far you wish (or as far as your taste allows)! One of my favourite things to do when choosing furnishings in a space is experimenting with clashing prints – especially floral. I think with a critical eye and a careful approach you can create some really unique and awe-inspiring interiors.
Another trend I would love to see come back is glass blocks! I think that glass blocks are such a great way to create a subtle yet impactful change to and interior. A great way to use these bricks in a more modern sense is to create partition walls which has this unique way of allowing light to fill the space and diffuse into connecting rooms. We have seen in recent years an increase in architects and developers using vast expanses of glass in designs. So why can we not bring back glass blocks for interiors? There is a danger of moving from chic to tacky by choosing to place too much in one place – but again, keeping your aesthetic eye under control will allow you to harness the atmosphere and light within your home.
And finally, we come to the most renowned trend of the 80s – rattan. I think rattan could be possibly one of the best things to come out of the 80s! Today, we are beginning to come out of our minimalistic, 21st century shells, and realise that a stark white-on-white interior is not always the key to a comfortable home. I think when used in moderation, rattan furniture can be such a great tool for bring warmth and colour into an otherwise stark space. It’s such a simple fix and fits in so many interiors with more ease than people realise. A fab tip is to throw a couple cushions or a cosy blanket with colours from your colour palette. This will keep your new rattan chair feeling like a part of the room!
Heres hoping the new year will revive these underrated 80s trends! (Just not the drapes - whatever you do, not the drapes).