7 Old-School Kitchen Trends From The '80s We Wish Would Come Back

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

When we were reminiscing on old photos of what kitchens looked like in the 1980s, we were struck by one common impression — and no, it had nothing to do with the gravity-defying perms of the home cooks whipping up pasta primavera and seven-layer dip. Rather, we were impressed by how many design and décor options would fit right into a 2020s kitchen with either slight tweaks or no changes whatsoever! The 1980s may be remembered via cultural touchstones like Madonna, MJ, and all that awesome fashion we see revived today in "Stranger Things," but it was, first and foremost, an era with an amazing visual identity. 

Far from being the subject of a retro punchline, a number of 1980s kitchen trends are downright awesome (dare we say, "tubular?") and might be just what you have been seeking to tie together your space. Take a look at these design elements inspired by '80s kitchens and see how the "old" can look absolutely cutting-edge! We're manifesting a full return to 1980s kitchens, but, in the meantime, these micro-trends will suffice. 

We've discussed how vintage lighting is a trend that can upgrade your kitchen, but utilizing neon lighting in your kitchen takes a special kind of daring ... or does it? A product of the Memphis design trend, electric colorways dazzled 1980s spaces. Today, tracks of moody colored lighting are more accessible and a lot less wild than you'd think. Don't want the hassle (or commitment) of a permanent install? How about a cheeky neon-style sign that brings the "live, laugh, love" sign trend of the 2010s into the future? 

The '80s graphic tile trend had kitchen designers in its grip. While your homeowner of 40-ish years ago might have picked out a bold tile with a pattern of fruits or ditsy florals, the graphic tiles of the 2020s do their talking with color. Committing to a splashy tile, as opposed to paint that can be covered more or less easily, takes some nerve ... but don't let that scare you! Paired with neutral cabinets and countertops, your tile will be the focus of your space without drowning the kitchen in too much color.

In the 21st century, kitchen designers have apparently developed an allergy to color en masse, relying on the whites and beiges that came along with the monolithic farmhouse kitchen trend. We say "enough." Like the rainbow-hued discontinued '80s cereals we loved as kids, retro kitchens were often a masterclass on mixing colors for visual appeal. Nor were the architects of these kitchens afraid of pattern drenching. This is your chance to reject the neutrals and try something bright and fun. 

There's a long list of chocolate types, but there's really only one shade of chocolate brown that ruled 1980s kitchens. Deep brown can be a challenging shade to work with — too much of it, and your space ends up drab and dark — but we think it's a natural progression of the 2020s love for neutrals. Not for nothing did Pantone name "mocha mousse" as its 2025 color of the year, after all! If you're not all-in on bold color, cocoa is a smooth and understated finish choice for cabinets that looks gorgeous with marble or quartz countertops and still evokes the '80s.

A greenhouse window was a point of pride in the 1980s. Situated over the sink, these projecting windows brought a taste of the outdoors into the kitchen. They were a great place to nurture arrangements of knick-knacks or, more functionally, potted herbs like rosemary that you could harvest more easily than from a garden. Today's greenhouse windows are more commonly called "garden windows," but they serve the same purpose of providing great windowsill real estate for plants and spilling plenty of sunshine into your space. 

Do your kitchen appliances really need to match? Most homeowners prefer that they do, and, for decades, stainless steel has been the aspirational choice for a sleek kitchen. But here's a thought: maybe the black appliances of the 1980s are ready for their big comeback. The high-contrast look of black, combined with its ease of keeping clean, makes these fridges, ovens, and dishwashers an attractive, if unexpected, choice. 

Wood paneling was everywhere in the 1980s as part of the bigger trend towards earth tones. Bringing a lot of wood into your kitchen today doesn't have to look like it came from the Reagan era, however. While knotty pine and honey oak were favorites of '80s homeowners, today's wood paneling features fluted grooves, dark finishes, and a moody feel. Want to get woodsy in your kitchen but feel a little cowed by the commitment? How about a trendy old-school kitchen island substitute with earthy, rustic charm that evokes the same vibes?