5 Home Design Trends from the ‘80s to Incorporate into Your Rental Property Today
Retro isn’t just back — it’s thriving. Style trends from the 1980s, some of which quickly fell out of favor, have since made their way back into the mainstream of popular design.
Neon signs, brass fixtures, geometric shapes, and mirrored surfaces are among the hallmarks of this decade that are finding a new life in modern homes and rental units. For a rental property owner, this rising tide of ’80s-inspired interiors offers a compelling opportunity. It means updating spaces affordably while giving tenants a unique style that’s more aesthetically pleasing than cookie-cutter rental units.
Strategic updates allow landlords to improve rental appeal, create memorable spaces, and justify a higher rental rate. It can be the difference between keeping good tenants around for the long haul and seeing renters bolt when their leases are over.
Here are five of the best ways to introduce ’80s design into your rental property in a way that feels contemporary.
- Soft Pastels and Miami-Style Color Palettes
The ’80s loved color, especially that soft tropical tone family: dusty pink, seafoam green, baby blue, and sunbleached peach. If you grew up during the ‘80s, perhaps soft pastels give you a sense of nostalgia. These color schemes remain modern in today’s design landscape. Unlike neon reds and electric yellows, which are bold but a bit tougher to work into rentals, pastels have staying power with their universal appeal.
You can use it on bathroom walls, as accent colors for bedrooms or hallways, and on kitchen cabinets for a vintage — yet fresh — update.
The result will be a soft, inviting space — one that’s nostalgic, yet clean and current.
- Brass, Gold, and Polished Metal Fixtures
One of the fastest ways to bring an ’80s look into your home is by swapping out matte black or brushed nickel for brass or polished metal fixtures. Anything in gold tones was seemingly everywhere in the 1980s: doorknobs, light fixtures, cabinet handles, faucet trim. And it’s made a powerful comeback.
Today’s gold is warmer, richer, and more refined than the flashy brass of 40 years ago. So, you’ll find that it’s a more modern take on something that was popular in the ‘80s.
Why will going this route work in rentals these days? Changing cabinet pulls, faucets, and light fixtures will take the least amount of labor but create the greatest visual effect. You can get a big bang for your buck because those are the things tenants notice, and metallic warmth can make even the most basic apartment feel high-end.
If you really want to understand what tenants especially value, it’s a good idea to hire a property management firm. These companies have their fingers on the pulse of the real estate markets they service. That’s why it’s essential to hire one close to home. If your investment property is in League City, Texas, hire a League City, Texas property manager that can offer specialized market intelligence that’s relevant to you.
- Geometric Patterns and Bold Shapes
If pastels represented the subtle side of the ’80s, geometric patterns represented the daring side. Think: angular artwork, triangular wall motifs, grid patterns, and abstract shapes that defined the Memphis design movement.
Today’s take is decidedly more sophisticated, often expressed in tile layouts, wallpaper accents, and wall art — not full-room saturation.
One geometric design element can immediately modernize a space. It’s a way to inject flair from the ‘80s without being too overwhelming for those tenants who value simplicity. A patterned backsplash or a bathroom tile border can add some “wow factor.” Simple implementation ideas include the following:
- Black-and-white patterned bathroom tile
- Geometric peel-and-stick wallpaper
- Artwork or wall decoration in bold shapes and contrast
A little can go a long way in making your rental units unique and inviting for tenants.
- Reflective Surfaces and High-Gloss Finishes
Reflective surfaces, which were all the rage in the ‘80s, offer a significant visual value. That’s especially true in smaller units.
Reflective surfaces can work magic in tiny kitchens and dark living rooms. A glassy backsplash or a mirror over a closet door can produce the visual illusion that a room is bigger than it actually is. Tenants love apartments that, while perhaps small, feel more open and spacious than the actual square footage would suggest.
- Natural Wood + Retro Texture Revival
While the ‘80s were known for encouraging synthetic materials, the period also touted rich oak wood, cane furniture, rattan textures, and chunky upholstery. Those tactile elements have circled their way back into interior design. Layered textures provide warmth and comfort that renters are seeking when looking for living spaces.
Wood tones instantly neutralize bright pastels and bold metals. They ground the room, soften hard edges, and give renters a blank canvas to decorate around. Even inexpensive wood shelving or rattan lighting can significantly enhance the space.
If the time has come to renovate or update your investment property, get some inspiration from the ‘80s. You don’t have to limit your design choices to that period, but you might find that going this route offers an inexpensive way to create spaces tenants love.
When your unit stands out visually, it’ll be easier to attract good tenants faster. A touch of ’80s flair may be a great way to effectively differentiate your rental property from everything else on the real estate market.
