Sometimes, looking to past decades is the best way to find fun, unique features to add to your kitchen. And if there's one decade that truly embraced bold design and statement colors in the kitchen, it's the 1980s.
Now considered retro kitchen ideas, designs of the era saw bold colors, geometric tiles, and bold wallpapers at the forefront of trends. And some of these statement features are still proving popular.
From the busy prints and patterns that dominated the eighties to the materials that still endure, these are the kitchen features designers say are still surprisingly stylish and still deserve a place in our schemes in 2025.
The 1980s kitchen features designers still love
Whether you want to bring a sense of nostalgia to your kitchen or are simply looking for ways to decorate with bold, retro colors, these features, synonymous with the 1980s, there are plenty of ideas here to inspire.
1. Graphic wall tiles
There were a few different patterns that were popular throughout the 1980s, but geometrics and florals in the same bold color palette of yellows and oranges were incredibly prominent, especially in kitchens.
'Graphic tiles and geometric shapes also have staying power,' says Maddy Bull, senior interior designer at HollandGreen. Think kitchen backsplashes covered in a constant geometric pattern, or a full feature wall for a striking focal point, both of which can look totally retro in kitchens today. And it's not the only pattern returning in 2025.
'Floral patterns are synonymous with the '80s. Using tiles to create a vibrant backsplash that stands out is a simple yet effective way to bring some 80s charm into your home. Cream tiles with orange or red floral patterns were extremely popular back then, and they can add some color and nostalgia to an otherwise neutral modern kitchen,' adds Claudia Kampmann, Europe brand manager at Ruggable.
2. Tiled countertops
'In the ’80s we enjoyed wallpapering our kitchen walls and then suddenly we didn’t. I don’t know why we wouldn’t revisit this; there are some beautiful papers around that would work perfectly in the context of a kitchen,' says Benji.
If there's one word to describe kitchens during the 1980s, it's bold. Almost every cooking space featured kitchen wallpaper in some capacity, and the prints were anything but minimal.
'Patterned wallpaper is another thing we’re seeing in kitchens again, which is comparable to the 80s. Back then, bright and vibrant wallpapers were used to adorn the walls of kitchens worldwide, whereas more minimalist kitchens have been popular throughout the 2010s and 20s,' says Claudia.
'Wallpaper in the kitchen is gaining popularity again, thanks to eclectic home decor taking over neutrals. More people are showing their personality through their homes and bringing more life to their kitchens with the help of colour and patterns.'
Looking back is often the best way to find inspiring design features to bring retro style to your kitchen. But bringing them into your kitchen today requires a careful balance so it doesn't feel outdated.
'Choose one or two 80s-inspired touches – perhaps a bold tile pattern or open shelf display – and combine them with high-quality, tactile materials,' suggests Maddy Bull, of HollandGreen.
'Think graphic tiles paired with honed stone countertops, or colorful cabinetry grounded by natural wood details. The goal isn’t to recreate the decade, but to borrow its best ideas and make them feel fresh, grounded, and personal.'