Remember the wonderful 1989 ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’? Apart from the fabulous Griswolds, you probably remember their ’80s teal carpeting. And if you don’t, stream the film and look at it, because it’s the only time you should ever look at teal carpeting in your life.
This 1980s home decor trend was a staple in every household; not only the wall-to-wall carpeting but the hospital-like teal color as well. As a rule, covering any room in your house with wall-to-wall carpeting should be prohibited by law, but making it teal? That should be a federal offense.
The Giant and Overly Extravagant Drapes
The first thing that might come to mind when seeing these gigantic, super extravagant drapes is a room in a French palace. But unfortunately, these over-the-top curtains invaded American homes in the 1980s, and honestly, it's a miracle they never killed anybody, considering how heavy they were.
There's absolutely no need to have such giant drapes in your home. A simple, classy curtain will do the job just fine.
Metal Wall Sculptures Are the Epitome of Tacky
The 1980s were an interesting time for home decor, and while there were many good trends, three-dimensional metal wall decorations definitely weren't one of them. It was all about highlighting your walls back then, and people decided regular, 2D art wasn't enough anymore. They wanted sculptures; hideous, gold-colored, metal sculptures.
We really can't explain how completely tacky this looks, and while we completely respect peoples' tastes, having your walls covered in ornate metal sculptures of flower bouquets and flying birds is simply atrocious. It's a fact of life, whether you want to accept it or not.
Grandma's Lace Curtains
Lace curtains were a match made in heaven for the '80s frills and floral patterns. But they were definitely not practical, since having holes in your curtains kind of defeats their whole purpose.
Yes, they're delicate, elegant, and lovely, which is why you can hang them as a decoration, not have them in place of actual curtains. Stick to dresses and lingerie when it comes to lace, not home decor.
The Cheap-looking Lacquer Cabinets
If you remember '80s movies, you surely remember there was never a house without glossy lacquer cabinets. In fact, the shinier the cabinets looked, the better. But as we've learned with other '80s home decor trends, it's probably best to just stay away. Far, far away.
Adopt a more modern look for your house and stick to marble or granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Leave the lacquer in the eighties, where it belongs.