While some people are only focused on looking forward, it’s nice to look back every now and then too. And if you’re in need of ideas on how to spruce up your home, you might just want to look to the 1970s and 1980s for inspiration.
We visited the ’70s Design and ’80s Design subreddits and gathered some of their best posts below. From fabulous interior design to gorgeous retro gadgets, these pics will give you a serious blast from the past. Enjoy scrolling through this nostalgic list, and be sure to upvote the photos that make you want to pull out your old record player and blast some Queen!
#1 Uncovered Today!

© Photo: MichaelScottsMom
#2 My 80s Living Room

© Photo: alt_retro
#3 Laguna Beach By Hisao Kawada

© Photo: acoolrocket
The 1970s are famous for a lot of things. It was an era of free love, warm colors, and extremely groovy music. But it was also a time of impeccable style. From the fashion of the decade to the way people’s homes were designed, it seems like everything was beautiful and intentional. So we want to celebrate some of the iconic aspects of ’70s design today with this list.
Vogue published a piece in 2022 explaining why 1970s style was trending again, and the first thing they noted was that the Earth tones, playful pops of color, and kitschy accents can be quite calming. “The design of the time was fun and sexy but still sophisticated—I think that heavily resonates with modern audiences,” Giampiero Tagliaferri, principal of Studio Tagliaferri, told Vogue.
#4 Thought You Guys Might Appreciate My Kitchen And Tiles

© Photo: coopsfrootloops
#5 Bernstein House, Malibu, CA, USA | Harry Gesner | 1975

© Photo: Logical_Yak_224
#6 70s Koehler Toilet

© Photo: Silo-Joe
In fact, in 2022, a survey of 600 decorators found that 26% reported noticing a resurgence of distinctive 1970s decor traits. These include Mario Bellini’s “Camaleonda” sofa from 1970, Michel Ducaroy’s “Togo” and Vico Magistretti’s “Maralunga” sofa from 1973, and Tobia & Afra Scarpa “Artona” dining series.
Now, this decade has not always been celebrated for its style. People have long mocked anyone who has shag carpeting, wooden wall panels, and plastic-covered furniture in their home. But there are definitely some things that this era got right, and those bold choices deserve to be celebrated.
#7 Avacado Goes With Everything!

© Photo: f_yeahprogrock
#8 Finished The Mural On The Entry Wall

© Photo: RanchDubois_
#9 My 1970’s Sears Hanging Mixer

© Photo: Jackson849
As far as why the 1970s style has had a resurgence in recent years, Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial director of 1stDibs, believes that the pandemic may have had something to do with it. Because people were cooped up in their homes, stressed about the uncertainty of the world and the future, many felt the need for a relaxed environment. “So, nothing hard on the eyes, and a place that has an immediate comfortable feel,” Freund explained.
#10 My Mom’s Kitchen

© Photo: AccomplishedBlood515
#11 Patio Furniture From The Sears Catalog, 1974

© Photo: UrbanAchievers6371
#12 Epic New Score

© Photo: MisterFisk
This list isn’t purely about the 1970s, though. We’re also here to celebrate the ’80s. And according to House & Garden, there are several valuable lessons that we can learn from the interior design of that decade.
First, they note that glassy modernism popped up during this iconic decade, and it added so much life to various spaces. While not everyone is a fan of glass bricks, there’s no question that they add personality to an office, restaurant, or home. And they’re much more interesting than plain, boring walls.
#13 ‘70s Bathroom Splendor

© Photo: UrbanAchievers6371
#14 That’s A Lot Of ‘70s In 1 Pic!

© Photo: UrbanAchievers6371
#15 Did Your Neighborhood Have Any Houses With A Sunken Family Area Or Den?

© Photo: UrbanAchievers6371
Something else from the 1980s that we can certainly learn a lesson from is camp opulence. Today, people seem to be obsessed with neutral colors and beige, boring homes without any life. But only 50 years ago, it was trendy to practice maximalism and fill your home with bright, vibrant colors. Nobody was afraid of floral prints, green velvet, or patterned wallpaper. You don’t have to fully lean into this aesthetic today, but a little spice won’t hurt your home!
#16 What’s This Design Called

© Photo: centrals1
#17 Robert G. Becker Lake House, Sammamish, Wa, USA, 1974

© Photo: Logical_Yak_224
#18 Early-Mid 1970s Proctor Silex Percolator In Harvest Gold

© Photo: Chuckleyan
Memphis Milano style also emerged during the 1980s. This was in response to the obsession with functionality at the time. Instead of making pieces purely practical, Memphis Milano style was more radical, including “bright, clashing colors and geometric shapes,” House and Garden explains. It often prioritized aesthetics over function, using unique materials, patterns, and colors. But it created amazing spaces that would catch anyone’s eye.
#19 Having Family Time In The 1970s

© Photo: Scorpio1992__
#20 Wicker Furniture From The Sears Fall-Winter Catalog, 1974

© Photo: UrbanAchievers6371
#21 Where To Buy 70s/Preferably Sculpted Shag Carpet….?

© Photo: ganjachicken
Apartment Therapy notes that 1980s style has had a resurgence in recent years too. The design of that era was so much more playful than what we often see today, and it really appeals to younger generations. Apparently, some are even mixing Art Deco with Memphis Milano now.
“When you didn’t live through that period, you don’t realize that one of those styles was a resurgence from the 1930s and one of them was a new invention of the 1980s,” says Justin Riordan, the founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency. “Millennials and Gen Z just see the whole thing as ‘80s style’ and are taking that whole genre and mixing it all together, so we’re getting this new genre that I call ‘Memphis-Deco.’”
#22 California Mansion From The 80s

© Photo: QueefiusMaximus86
#23 A Sea Of Glass Blocks

© Photo: Dragonwitch95
#24 The 80s Memphis-Style Zooble Couch

© Photo: Ok_Pipe6385
Are you enjoying your journey back in time and into these famous ’70s and ’80s spaces, pandas? Keep upvoting the ones that you think are still stylish today, and let us know in the comments if there’s anything else you miss from those iconic eras. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another article from Bored Panda featuring design from the same two decades, we’ve got the perfect list for you to read next right here!
#25 A Fotomat Kiosk In Massachusetts In 1987

© Photo: AxlCobainVedder
#26 My Living Room Inspired By 1980s Interior Design Photography

© Photo: jonyoungmusic
#27 The Scheininger Clinic In Jacksonville, Florida ||| 1982

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#28 Conversation Put

© Photo: Soggy-Avocado918
#29 Orange Formica Gives Me Joy!

© Photo: BestLifeRaw
#30 Vintage IKEA Catalog (I Especially Love The Lamps, Anybody Know What They’re Called?)

© Photo: MannyDantyla
#31 Scored This Couch For A Few Hundred Bucks Today. Couldn’t Be Happier

© Photo: danny0342
#32 Stonehill Residence, Poway, CA, USA | Robert Thiele | 1979

© Photo: Logical_Yak_224
#33 ‘70s Kitchen Design Awesomeness

© Photo: UrbanAchievers6371
#34 The Only Thing Missing Is The Wine Bottle With A Candle And Wax Dripped All Over It…

© Photo: UrbanAchievers6371
#35 Our Basement

© Photo: Beautiful-Morning-27
#36 The Lobby Of The Now Abandoned Nevele Grande Hotel In Ellenville NY, C 1978

© Photo: Whinke
#37 Two More Rolls Of This Vinyl In The Basement In Case The Floors And Wall Aren’t Enough

© Photo: BestLifeRaw
#38 From 📚 ‘Success With Houseplants’🪴🪴©1979🪴

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#39 Everyone Had One 😊

© Photo: Iceland224
#40 The Morgan House In Atlantic Beach, Florida 🏖️ 1973

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#41 Architectural Digest • 1979

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#42 From 📚 ‘The Complete Guide To Designing Your Home’ ©1976 By Corinne Benicka

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#43 Architectural Digest • December, 1978

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#44 Mushroom House, Perinton, NY, USA | James H. Johnson | 1972

© Photo: Logical_Yak_224
#45 Architectural Digest • June, 1978

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#46 From 📚 ‘Lifespace: Designs For Today’s Living’ ©1977 By Spiros Zaka & Margaret Miner

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#47 From 📚 ‘The Indoor Garden: The Houseplant Lovers Guide’ ©1977 By Cynthia Wickham

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#48 From 📚 ‘Living For Today’ ©1972 By Karen Fisher

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#49 From 📚 ‘Houses Architects Live In’ ©1977 By Barbara Plumb

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#50 American Home Magazine (1976)

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#51 A Florida Living Room From 📚 ‘The Use Of Color In Interiors’ ©1978 By Albert O. Halse

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#52 “Barrels For Fun And Entertaining”- Jc Penney, 1970s

© Photo: whistmisje
#53 From 📚 ‘The Practical Encyclopedia Of Good Decorating & Home Improvement’ ©1970

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#54 Interior Photograph Of The Bank Of America Data Center, 1455 Market Street, San Francisco, California, 1979 August

© Photo: AxlCobainVedder
#55 The Home Of Designer William L. Chidester In Los Angeles, California ⛲1971

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#56 From 📚 ‘House & Garden’s Complete Guide To Interior Decoration’ ©1970

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#57 From 📚 ‘Decoration Tradition Et Renouveau’ ©1973 By Claude Regnat

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#58 The Twin Towers Trident Arch Design

© Photo: Ok_Pipe6385
#59 My Vintage 80s Home

© Photo: Professional_Sir2225
#60 The ‘Sky Room’ In Architect Preston T. Phillips’ Bridgehampton Home, 1988 🌿✨”

© Photo: jourdanwau
#61 Thought I Would Share A Few Updated Pictures Of My Sunroom ✨

© Photo: Dachshundsmom
#62 Hoog Catharijne Shopping Center, Utrecht, Netherlands In 1981

© Photo: joe3000s
#63 Christmas, South Bay Galleria, Redondo Beach, CA [1988]

© Photo: MattAtPlaton
#64 Architectural Digest • March, 1984

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#65 From 📚 ‘Better Homes & Gardens: Storage’ ©1984

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#66 Got A Caboodle And An 80’s Bedspread For My Birthday! 🩵

© Photo: feelzlikesugarinme
#67 Back To The Future (1985) Has One Of The Most Perfectly Mid-80s Living Rooms Ever Put On Screen

© Photo: Temporary-Key1629
#68 Mccarran International Airport Central Terminal – Las Vegas, 1986

© Photo: acoolrocket
#69 Mcdonalds Moon Man Mac Tonight Poster Artwork

© Photo: Ok_Pipe6385
#70 Kitty!!!!😺 From 📚 ‘Your Bedrooms’ ©1984 By Better Homes & Gardens Books

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#71 Bedroom Interior Design From The Media Design Book, 1984

© Photo: joe3000s
#72 “Why Is The Floor Wet, Todd?”

© Photo: lokicoyote1
#73 Stephen’s Green Shopping Center, Dublin Ireland. Opened In 1988 And It Hasn’t Changed Since (Current Photo). It’s Still Very Much Alive, Which Is Nice To See 🎄

© Photo: alt_retro
#74 From 📚 ‘Better Homes & Gardens: Storage’ ©1984

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#75 The Instrument Panel In My 1985 Chrysler Laser

© Photo: Threeofnine000
#76 Page From The IKEA Catalogue 1989 Swedish Edition

© Photo: joe3000s
#77 The Palladium Nightclub In Manhattan, NYC In 1985, The Year It Opened. Designed By Arata Isozaki. Mural Artwork By Keith Haring

© Photo: joe3000s
#78 From 📚 ‘Beyond The Bath: A Dreamer’s Guide’ ©1983 By Thomas Cowan

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#79 Futuristic Interior Design Of A California Office, 1983. Image By Russell Abraham Architectural Photographers

© Photo: joe3000s
#80 1980’s Interior Design

© Photo: Scorpio1992__
#81 1985 Ferrari Mondial That I Saved And Brought Back To Life

© Photo: Threeofnine000
#82 From 📚 ‘Art Plastic: Designed For Living’ ©1984 By Andrea Denoto

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#83 Merlin Hotel Australia

© Photo: Dragonwitch95
#84 Mauve And Glass Blocks = Winning Combo

© Photo: Anawanna_UgLee92
#85 Moorestown Mall, Moorestown, New Jersey (1986)

© Photo: xanadu_80
#86 I’m Back! Some Pics Of My Bedroom!

© Photo: Professional_Sir2225
#87 Jack Maguire, (1987)

© Photo: Ordner
#88 IKEA • 1986

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#89 From 📚 ‘Metropolitan Home: Renovation Style’ ©1986

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#90 The Normandy Plaza Hotel

© Photo: Ok_Pipe6385
#91 More Than 500 Ways To Make A House Or Apartment A Home By Thomas Cowan, (1986)

© Photo: Ordner
#92 Found This In Roadside Trash

© Photo: Ill-Rule-2370
#93 From 📚 ‘House & Garden’s Complete Guide To Interior Decoration’ ©1970

© Photo: Sedna_ARampage
#94 70’s Pencil Reed Table Lamp

© Photo: Durhamfarmhouse
#95 I’ve Never Seen A Kitchen With A Staircase Before

© Photo: According-Value-6227
#96 “How To Solve Your Interior Design Problems” By Jill Blake, (1986)

© Photo: Ordner
#97 A 1986 Kitchen

© Photo: Appropriate_Fly_9280
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