This Vintage '80s Kitchen Trend Needs To Come Back ASAP

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In terms of old-school kitchen trends from the '80s, neon is undoubtedly one of the most controversial choices you can make in 2025. While retro graphic tile or greenhouse windows can be brought into the present with just a little bit of tweaking, neon is ... bold. In your face. Attention-grabbing. "Look at me!" neon seems to scream. Its aggressiveness can be a little overwhelming.

That kind of audacity isn't for everyone, it's true. But neon can be a lot more approachable than you might initially think. Imagine less "Miami Vice" and more moody and ambient. Lots of "neon" signs in this day and age are actually LEDs, the colors of which simulate the brightness of neon gas in a tube with far less expense and hassle. 

This look has come a long way since the Reagan era, when neon experienced an aesthetic renaissance thanks to the popularity of the Memphis Design movement. If you're imagining garish pops of color and outré geometric patterns, think again. Updated neon is perfectly harmonious with the contemporary tendency towards light, airy spaces, and might even be just the improvement that your farmhouse kitchen needs to stay relevant. Our favorite discontinued '80s cereals may not ever be making a return, but we bet you'll be convinced by neon's multitudinous, surprisingly timeless charms. Don't be afraid to use it in small doses as a lively accent if you're initially unsure. It's true that a taste of neon goes a long way, after all.

Retro-inspired neon signs are an obvious way to add a pop of color and brightness to your kitchen, although they can be tricky to style. Kitchen decor featuring words has been a thing for a while, whether it takes the form of "bless this kitchen" in a curlicued font or a rustic whitewashed sign that commands you to "eat." If you have a statement to make, why not say it with a neon sign? "The [Your Surname] Family" is simple and to-the-point, but signs with cute sayings are definitely still on the table!

Neon track lighting beneath your cabinets is a much more subtle, sophisticated way to incorporate neon colors into your kitchen. Neon LED strips are nearly effortless to attach and hook up, and they come in a variety of lengths and price points to suit your needs. Best of all, you aren't locked into one color choice with today's lighting options. Having a party and want to really emphasize the area where the makeshift bar is set up? Go with a vibrant red or orange! However, when nighttime falls and you want a nightlight effect that gives off restful, mellow vibes? Dim that brightness and select a purple or blue glow.

Lighting doesn't have to be the only way that fearless homeowners incorporate this trend, either. A neon accent wall sounds way out there, but consider it ... especially if the rest of your decor is fairly monochrome. High-contrast black and white are a natural fit for pops of neon, like bar stool seat covers or an area rug.