15 Kitchen Design Trends From The ’80s That Still Hold Up Today

Say what you’ll about feathered hair and polyester leisure fits, however the inside decor of the ’80s left a long-lasting impression — particularly within the kitchen. Not solely do many defining components of the ’80s kitchen maintain up right now, however they’re having an actual second. We talked to a handful of inside designers and different design consultants about what they’re seeing make a comeback, and we found which traits of the last decade have actual endurance.

“Design all the time cycles, however I believe the resurgence of ’80s components is partly a response to years of all-white, minimalist kitchens,” Brad Thornton, founder and lead designer at Thornton Projects, completely tells Chowhound. “Folks crave heat and character.” Preston Butler of Butler Lighting agrees. “Kinds all the time appear to circle again after 30 or 40 years,” Butler tells Chowhound. “The ’80s blended a whole lot of enjoyable and creativity with sensible design, and that is interesting if you’ve seen nothing however plain white kitchens for the final decade.” All this to say, we’re happy to tell you that the sterile white and greige nightmare of the final decade could also be lifeless. Lengthy dwell the ’80s!

If we take a look at the massive image, the ’80s was about celebration and wealth — extra even. What higher approach to have a good time the ethos of the last decade than with an area that encourages togetherness and social gatherings? Enter the open-plan kitchen. The closed-off work areas of earlier many years, which stored warmth, noise, and kitchen smells contained, gave approach to open flooring plans that merged the kitchen with dwelling or eating rooms. Beginning within the Nineteen Fifties with Frank Lloyd Wright’s residence designs, the kitchen had developed right into a extra built-in a part of the family — maybe even its hub and heart. Whereas the pattern emerged within the 1950’s, it took residence development some years to catch up. As of late, it is uncommon to see a contemporary residence format with out an open flooring plan. “The open-plan kitchen is not going wherever,” says Preston Butler. “It began gaining steam within the ’80s when of us started treating the kitchen like a part of the dwelling area as a substitute of a closed-off room.” It is the main points, nevertheless, that set the ’80s kitchen — and its resurgence — aside.

Any good chef will let you know one among their most vital components of their job is financial system of motion. This implies being environment friendly with their very own physique and never repeating journeys or motions unnecessarily. However having a kitchen format that maximizes effectivity can be essential, even at residence. The ’80s ushered within the rise of the kitchen triangle design: having the fridge, range, and sink specified by a triangle formation to cut back strolling distances between “zones” of the kitchen.

“The effectivity of the work triangle was enormous within the ’80s, and for good purpose. Maintaining the fridge, sink, and range in shut proximity permits for straightforward motion whereas cooking,” Brad Thornton explains. “Whilst kitchens have developed into extra social, open areas, that core precept of considerate workflow is the distinction between a kitchen that is lovely and one which’s a pleasure to make use of,” he continued.

Matthew Coates, president and principal architect of Coates Design Architects + Interiors, echoes this. He tells Chowhound, “One thing that has stood the check of time is the concept of breaking a kitchen up into actual, working ‘zones,'” including that the kitchen triangle was central to this setup, “with added little treats comparable to a desk space or a ‘breakfast bar.'”

The ’80s had been additionally a time of glitz and opulence, and glossy surfaces had been all over the place, from glass tops to gold rest room fixtures. Shiny finishes got here on every thing from flat-pack furnishings to lacquer eating units to laminate surfaces. In keeping with Preston Butler, although, gloss has gotten a refresh. “Shiny finishes have a spot too, so long as they’re achieved proper,” he says. “The brand new variations are more durable and fewer flashy than the outdated stuff, however they nonetheless give cupboards that clear, light-catching look.”

Pairing gloss with matte end additionally gives an attention-grabbing pairing, says Matthew Coates. “The distinction was scrumptious then and it nonetheless is.” Suppose shiny slab cupboards with mild wooden framing; shiny subway tile backsplashes towards melamine counter tops; or a shiny eating set towards smooth, matte carpeting — even etched mirrors showcase the idea on a small scale. In keeping with Inside designer Andrea Sinkin of Andrea Sinkin Design, clients are embracing the pattern. “Shiny white cupboards that had been a pattern within the ’80’s are again for contemporary and minimal kitchen design — it is glossy, straightforward to look after, and really impartial,” she tells Chowhound.

Amongst all our different traits, consultants agree most on one function of ’80s kitchens that is caught round and has even made a latest resurgence: pure wooden cupboards, particularly oak. We’re not speaking about that scourge on nearly each rental property you have ever set foot in – these clunky honey oak cupboards that give “landlord particular” a brand new which means. No, this time round, picket cupboards are stylish and customizable.

Thomas Borcherding, proprietor and lead designer at Homestar Design Remodel, agrees: “Oak is turning into more and more wanted.” In keeping with Borcherding, purchasers gravitate towards the enchantment of wooden grain and oak’s affordability. “Oak is the least costly species of wooden that my cabinetry producer gives. With the hovering value of remodels, this issues lots.” He acknowledges that, “Oak as a fabric has been tainted by the lower than flattering yellow stains generally paired with it,” however he provides that right now’s cupboards have extra up to date stains and finishes. This makes it a lot simpler to clean sticky or grimy wooden cabinets.

Brad Thornton tells Chowhound that he even likes a heat end: “I really like the unapologetic use of heat wooden cupboards — particularly wealthy walnut and oak — paired with deep, saturated colours.” Matthew Coates, however, would go for walnut or rift-sawn white oak.

Transfer over shaker and craftsman-style –- easier occasions have returned to kitchen cupboard fronts. Slab-front cabinetry is simply that: a flat pane with no bells and whistles. With no adornments or raised particulars, these surfaces create a clear, unified look to go along with the utilitarian kitchen triangle. To not point out, they are much simpler to scrub. They’re historically related to frameless Euro-style cabinetry and flat pack furnishings, they usually are available in many types. Matthew Coates factors to “slab-front cabinetry in dramatic veneers,” and others point out the high-gloss end. Then there are the white-and-wood melamine cupboards that each DIY-er was so busy changing and portray over within the final decade. We’re right here to let you know they’re very a lot making a comeback. Slab cupboards create an uninterrupted, easy wall of storage and lend an air of timelessness to any kitchen — or a clean slate you may pair with different opulent ’80s particulars.

“Frameless, modular cupboards weren’t only a type alternative; they gave you extra storage and cleaner traces that really feel proper even now. Full-height pullouts saved you from crawling into darkish cupboard corners,” Judi Cooper, principal inside designer at Kitchens Inside Out, tells Chowhound.

Massive kitchen islands and peninsulas are already a staple of contemporary inside design that go hand in hand with the open-plan kitchen. The kitchen island or peninsula gives a focus to household time or social gatherings that may tie collectively a sprawling kitchen-living area space. “Huge islands and peninsulas weren’t only for cooking,” says Preston Butler, “they had been for serving meals, hanging out, and speaking whilst you labored. That setup nonetheless is smart right now as a result of it retains individuals linked as a substitute of caught in separate rooms.” 

Andrea Sinkin concurs with this level: “There have been a whole lot of columns and ’80s designs impressed by Greek and Roman design — these would typically body an open kitchen to divide it visually from the dwelling space.” Sinkin additionally factors out the double-height island, a two-tier floor that might additional outline the kitchen and dwelling areas, whereas lending a way of luxurious. Suppose one aspect for meals prep and the opposite for seating or informal eating. Islands and peninsulas additionally present loads of storage and counter area — a must have for cluttered households.

Aside from opulence and effectivity, the ’80s had been a time of quirky, modernist shapes: outsized particulars, wiggles, dots, and curves. Suppose Memphis design, partially a response to the glossy, austere traces and seriousness of midcentury trendy design norms. These designers harnessed cheap supplies, brilliant main colours, and cheeky, generally impractical shapes to make a press release. Their cabinets had been no exception: triangles, diagonals, wild patterns, and a number of colours made a robust assertion. 

Thomas Borcherding says uneven shelving was among the many components he loves bringing again from the ’80s. And though it’s possible you’ll not be capable to stability plates on a diagonal shelf, there are different methods to include the sudden into shelving. As an illustration, contemplate cabinets on one aspect of a kitchen or eating room, scattered floating cabinets that do not comply with a sample, or a bookcase damaged up into uneven compartments for some visible curiosity.

Dive into an outdated residence decor e book and you will find that many Nineteen Eighties areas leaned exhausting right into a “extra is extra” aesthetic: wild patterns, sudden shapes, and contrasting textures. Geometric tiles had been the epitome of this aesthetic, and you would discover them in flooring, on partitions, and sure, pals, even on a tile kitchen countertop. Whereas many residence renovators make a beeline for tile counter tops, hammers in hand, others are giving wild tile counter tops a attempt. The shine and sample can add a welcome distinction within the kitchen, they usually’re a surprisingly versatile (no pun supposed) and resilient materials. However if you happen to’re not prepared for wiping down that grout but, a tile backsplash may be the right spot to make a daring assertion with loud shapes: checker patterns, triangles, artwork deco-inspired sunbursts. “Geometric tile and unapologetically daring colours are creeping again into my tasks,” says Thomas Borcherding, and there are infinite methods to customise. A geometrical tile kitchen flooring can look extra trendy and maximalist than ever with the remainder of the kitchen balanced to your style and magnificence.

The 1980’s had been unafraid of a loopy coloration mixture (Memphis design, anybody?) and a hue bumped as much as 11. When you is probably not able to embrace wall-to-wall emerald inexperienced carpets, for instance, saturated colours can look lovely in small doses (suppose lighting, cupboard {hardware}, wall trim, dishes, and accents) or in large ones, like kitchen cupboards multi function hue.

The ’80s had been all about sudden coloration pairings, too. “Coloration blocking is again,” Preston Butler says. “Daring colours towards neutrals, and even robust colours towards one another, could make a backsplash or a set of cupboards stand out with out taking up the entire area.” Kitchens had bursts of coloration in probably the most sudden of locations — curtains on kitchen home windows but additionally on ceilings or the perimeters of cabinets. In keeping with Brad Thornton, although, trendy designers know when to carry again. “We’re reinterpreting these hallmarks with a lighter hand: protecting the richness of wooden however refining the profiles, embracing daring coloration however with extra nuanced palettes that may really feel contemporary,” says Thornton.

The Nineteen Eighties had been additionally identified for his or her mashup of supplies that usually someway labored, and it is part of kitchen design that has caught round. In keeping with Matthew Coates, “the ’80s had been utterly unapologetic about mixing up supplies … simply something goes form of angle … steel and wooden, glass and stone.” Suppose tessellated stone tables with glass tops, picket cupboards with chrome-trimmed home equipment and tile flooring. Right now, mixing supplies remains to be very a lot alive and nicely, although Andrea Sinkin says up to date supplies have been exchanged for extra dated ones. You may even mix and match kitchen countertop materials. 

“Now we glance again on what labored and what feels acquainted [in the ’80s] however we replace with new shapes, colours, and particular particulars,” Sinkin explains. “Like within the ’80’s we did a whole lot of glass entrance cupboards, however now we do them with antiqued mirrors, steel mesh, and glass fronts as nicely for show.” Quite a few designers talked about brass and chrome. “Chrome finishes are nonetheless a strong transfer in small doses — on a faucet, a shelf bracket, or a skinny toe-kick reveal,” provides Judi Cooper.

A counterweight to the minimal, all-white modular kitchen or the chrome-and-leather bachelor pad look of the ’80s was the pastel explosion. Pastels have been on the upswing in trendy kitchens, too, however they nonetheless don’t have anything on the all-pink laminate-and-tile masterpieces of the ’80s, full with almond and off-white home equipment. However Thomas Borcherding says, “Coloration-wise, smooth pastels paired with saturated accents really feel simply as contemporary right now as they did in 1985.” HIs favored pastels are cobalt blues, smooth pinks, and mint greens. “They’ve that ’80s vitality, however right now’s variations are extra refined and simpler to dwell with long run,” he explains.

Alhough ’80’s pastels are sometimes related to bogs (these pink swans!), attempt a saturated eggplant drawer pull on a lavender drawer, or a jewel toned flooring mat on pastel tiles. Nobody stated a pastel kitchen could not even be a chef’s utilitarian dream, both. In keeping with Matthew Coates, “Although the hues of the period had been vibrant and wealthy in pastels, the layouts had been typically somewhat wise, and that holds true right now too.”

There’s one thing about recessed lighting glinting off polished, darkish surfaces that harkens again to these bachelor pads of the ’80s. This period was chock full of recent lighting ideas, shapes, and builds, and whereas right now we simply can not seem to escape the boob mild, a strip of under-cabinet lighting can nonetheless create fairly a moody ambiance. True to ’80s type, the ethos of built-in lighting may be as practical as it’s trendy — particularly right now. It might optimize area and mix seamlessly right into a ceiling, leaving room for different decor, with no seen wires or fixtures.

Of under-cabinet lighting, Matthew Coates says, “Again then it was fluorescent and stuttering, however now it is LED and lovely.” You are more likely to get much more mileage out of your LED lights, they usually’re good within the kitchen for a late night time glass of water or a film night time in. Preston Butler agrees: “Built-in lighting began displaying up extra within the ’80s, and it is even higher now. Beneath-cabinet strips, small puck lights, and adjustable LEDs make it straightforward to modify from brilliant activity lighting to softer night mild.”

Huge pendant lights and assertion lights have caught round kitchens for the lengthy haul. Though although their shapes and profiles might have modified by means of the many years, they actually gained momentum within the ’80s. Outsized pendant lighting particularly, Brad Thornton says, performed into the adventurous geometry of the period. Orbs and discs are a few of the best kitchen lighting fixtures impressed by the ’80s, they usually may simply give your kitchen desk or island the kick you did not understand it wanted.

Assertion lighting may spotlight zones for a number of makes use of, which stays essential to trendy dwelling areas. Kitchens within the ’80s even included desks into kitchens or had TVs constructed into partitions. Whereas we might not go that far right now (perhaps we should always, although), lighting can nonetheless do extra than simply illuminate, notably with the elegant and low-effort layer lighting kitchen trend. As Judi Cooper explains, “The last decade’s obsession with layered lighting nonetheless is smart: Begin with ambient mild to fill the room, add activity lighting the place you’re employed, and end with accents that add vitality to the room.”

For a time within the early ’90s to late 2010s, most rooms in the home sported 90-degree angles so far as the attention might see. Through the latest midcentury trendy revival, sofas’ rounded edges largely turned sq.; laptops and PC’s un-bubbled, counter and desk edges sharpened, and chair legs narrowed. Fortunately, curves and rounded corners in all their inviting, natural glory have made a triumphant return — and it is one pattern you are not more likely to have missed in recent times. See: wiggle mirrors, curvy sofas far and wide, and people tufted wavy rugs.

Within the kitchen, the curve can tackle many types, however designers pointed to probably the most elemental. “Curves in cupboards or island corners can take the sting off an area,” Preston Butler tells Chowhound. “It makes the kitchen really feel extra snug whereas nonetheless wanting trendy.” Thomas Borcherding mentions the waterfall counter and notes that rounded components really feel “contemporary and timeless” in pure wooden and stone. “What number of kitchens do you encounter that function distinguished rounded design accents versus 90-degree corners?” asks Borcherding pointedly. Judi Cooper provides, “Rounded island corners and bullnose counters soften the exhausting edges and make the room really feel prefer it’s prepared for firm.”

It is all too straightforward to skip over furnishings {hardware} and pulls, however a nasty drawer deal with is an overlooked cabinet fix that can boost your kitchen’s style. The ’80s prized minimalist {hardware} on kitchen cupboards and drawers, however the materials and coloration had been typically a research in distinction, like brilliant white knobs on mild wooden cupboards. Designers nonetheless use “chunky {hardware} and drawer pulls,” Matthew Coates tells Chowhound. “These enormous tubular pulls nonetheless look nice when achieved in matte black or brass.” And Brad Thornton shares that “chunky built-in pulls” had been an thrilling a part of bringing again ’80s geometry.

You may discover a whole lot of ’80s inside kitchen design had no handles — cupboards may need had full width finger pulls, cutouts, or hardwood finger pulls, whereas {hardware} and pulls that protruded made a press release. One other useful storage holdover included full top pullouts, Judi Cooper tells Chowhound, which “saved you from crawling into darkish cupboard corners.” Finally, Cooper says, “Parts of the 80’s are discovering their manner again into the kitchen as a result of individuals are prepared for extra robust shapes, unapologetic coloration blocks, and playful particulars of their houses.”