Uncover 78+ Charming 80's House Design With Many New Styles

Modern 1980s house designs can be credited for much of the era's lasting appeal. With smooth lines and minimal fuss, they embraced the forward-thinking vision of an ever-changing world. Originally inspired by the Parisian art deco movement of the 1920s, modern 1980s design saw a monumental rise in popularity during this decade. These homes featured waterfalls, spiralling staircases, and impressively high ceilings – all designed to bring people close to nature and create a sense of relaxation.

Architects and engineers worked hard to bridge the gap between human power and nature, creating durable homes that mixed modern conveniences with timeless designs. Long, wide windows often paired with sliding French doors, evocative lighting fixtures, and sharp contrasts in earthy colors helped to set modern 1980s houses apart from the rest. Carpets, wallpaper, and other furnishings in warm pastels were also frequent fixtures.

For the resident who loves a bit of nostalgia, Retro 1980s house designs are an ideal choice. Sleek curves, uneven walls, and oblique angles combine for a funky blast from the past. Materials such as glass, chrome, and stainless steel – with the intention of reflecting the growing industrialization of the decade – were popular choices among 1980s architects and designers. Additionally, these homes often featured bold splashes of bright colors that helped to offset a darkening interior environment.

Futurism was in full swing by the 1980s, and many retro-inspired homes embraced this ideology. Loosely based on the aesthetics of postmodernism, they featured the same clean lines and muted colors. However, unlike traditional postmodern homes, these households included homegrown touches, such as large wood-paneled walls, faux-leather sofas, and plastic furniture – all of which spoke to a good deal of imaginative playfulness.

Futuristic 1980s house designs – also commonly referred to as high-tech designs – incorporated angular elements and heavy, exaggerated shapes. Embracing a natural landscape that was growing increasingly digitalized, these houses often featured materials such as steel-framed windows, painted black glass, and digitally printed facades. In combining the laws of physics and the freehand of human creativity, futuristic houses became the epitome of sci-fi spaces.

These structures, while impractical to build from scratch today, had plenty of innovative ideas and construction techniques that still practice their influence over the styles of modern-day architecture. Futuristic homes of the 1980s often incorporated asymmetrical patterns, completely weatherproof structures, and automated home systems connected to a central computer. Spacious rooms on multiple levels, with decks and private pools provided a truly remarkable experience.

Postmodern 1980s house designs focused on creating bold, urban spaces for open-minded city dwellers. Leveraging the free-spirited spirit of the times, these homes saw an embrace of symmetrical proportions and a flattened approach to layering. These houses often featured interesting facades and unique takes on modern standards, like bric-a-brac patterns with angular shapes, broken planes, and sophisticated lighting.

Composed of simple materials from the earth in natural colors, postmodern houses offered a sense of tranquillity and simplicity. Textured finishes, shaped ceilings, and other eye-catching features brought together classical Oriental traditions with a Western approach. In short, this look sought to transcend the boundaries of functionalist architecture with unique finishes and warm, inviting accessories.

Traditional 1980s house designs adopted a more timeless aesthetic, focusing on classic materials, shapes, and colors. Featuring plenty of romantic touches, such as outdoor seating, arched porches, and peaked rooftops, these buildings provided comfort and familiarity. Likewise, elaborate columns and masonry brickwork often added an ornamental accent to facades.

Vacationers were often enticed by the traditional homes of the 1980s – many of which incorporated a European touch with their light, airy interiors. These residences typically had bright white walls, large ornamental fireplaces, and open-concept layouts. Meanwhile, the stone fireplace walls showcased antiques and family photographs, allowing traditional 1980s homes to remain full of character while still offering a timeless style.

Bungalow 1980s house designs brought a natural sense of comfort and calm to dense urban areas. These buildings had strong shapes and unique experiences that engaged with both the indoors and outdoors. While working to bring the outside in, these homes embraced the beauty of Mother Nature and nature-inspired elements through curved walls, simple designs, and terraced gardens.

In addition to beautifully landscaped gardens with native plants, these homes had wide windows, white ceramic kitchen sinks, and metallic touches that added flair and luxury to the interior. Rooms featured terracotta tiles and bright colors, while outdoor areas embraced their natural beauty with brick walls, vines, and fruit orchards. As a result, these homes offered a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

As a response to the growing population of families that lent itself to the proliferation of smaller homes in the era, Single-storey 1980s house designs sought to maximize space and optimize comfort. Addressing the trend for multigenerational households, these homes featured living spaces, bedrooms, and kitchen areas that shared walls, creating a feeling of connection among the occupants. You can also expect to find separate living areas, wide courtyards, and outdoor patio decks.

The traditional single-story home design of the 1980s favored comfort over extravagance. In addition to an open-concept living space, they usually included several bedrooms and bathrooms, one or two carports, as well as an outdoor pool and separate laundry area. Rooms were usually spacious and airy, with windows that allowed sunlight to flow in.

Ideal for navigating small or oddly shaped lots, Split-level 1980s house designs were also popular to counter the energy crisis of the decade. By connecting two or more distinct living levels within one home, they allowed occupants to share the same area but still have separate living and working areas. This design approach provided a great opportunity for families to stay connected while still accommodating individual lifestyle needs.

Split-level homes generally had several bedrooms, at least one bathroom, and an upper or lower level – usually with a spacious outdoor area included in the design. Additional rooms were found on the upper level, including a study, a game room, or a spacious kitchen with balcony access. These homes also often featured a unique split-level architectural design, which has become one of the most sought-after styles of the decade.

A common choice for the minimalist-minded homeowner, Cube-style 1980s house designs favored basic geometric shapes and little decoration. Focusing on a physics-based approach, these homes usually featured sharply angled roofs and plenty of cuboid corners. They were known for their extreme simplicity and focused on combining natural textures and first-rate materials to create stylish, low-cost structures.

A cube house typically had two stories, with most spaces taking the form of linear boxes. This form of architecture was optimal for creating open spaces without compromising on function or privacy. Likewise, these homes highlighted the practical use of natural light and blocked out the environment with large windows and tinted glass. Sleek aluminum and bamboo finishes also made these homes feel modern and give them a chic, minimalist touch.

To offer a look of sophistication and heritage, Colonial 1980s house designs leaned into classic Colonial-style architecture. Drawing from the traditional European roots of modern American homes, these residences typically featured two stories, two balconies, and ample outdoor space. Doors were commonly built for a double or triple hung style, while other elements used high arches and circular porches.

Inside, these homes leaned into the Colonial-revival charm. Rooms featured antique furniture pieces, tasteful curtains, and plenty of warm wooden surfaces. Greenery and traditional principles were common design elements, making the home a perfect blend of heritage and modernism. Meanwhile, pops of bold colors in the kitchens and bathrooms brought further life and playfulness to the house.