What Interior Style You’d Have Had in the 70s, 80s or 90s

If you ever find yourself scrolling through retro interiors and thinking, “I could’ve lived there,” chances are, you’re right. Every decade had its own distinct personality — from the disco-soaked confidence of the 70s to the pastel perfection of the 80s and the grunge-meets-minimalism of the 90s.

The style you’d have had back then says as much about your temperament as your taste. And unlike today’s neatly defined Pinterest categories, each era was gloriously unfiltered.

The 1970s – Bohemian Chaos and Earthy Glamour

The 70s were the interior world’s wild child. Everything was bigger, browner, and just a little bit fuzzier. Homes were drenched in amber light, shag pile rugs covered every conceivable surface, and houseplants were hanging from macramé holders like trophies of free spirit.

If you’d been around then, your home would probably have smelled faintly of incense and ambition. There’d be a lava lamp somewhere, a low-slung sofa in burnt orange or avocado, and the reassuring hum of something slightly dangerous — like fondue bubbling on a teak trolley.

Design was tactile, experimental, and defiantly warm. People weren’t afraid of colour or clutter. They mixed patterns with conviction and believed that if you could sit on it, you could also probably dance on it.

Those drawn to the 70s now tend to be sensory types — people who love texture, story, and soul. They crave warmth and imperfection, and they secretly believe every home should have at least one lamp that looks like it could talk back.

The 1980s – Gloss, Excess and Confidence on Display

Then came the 80s — design’s unapologetic power suit era. If the 70s were about comfort, the 80s were about control. The palettes got sharper, the lines got straighter, and the furniture suddenly had opinions.

Think high-gloss lacquer, smoked glass, chrome accents and pastel everything. Coral pink walls were paired with teal sofas and geometric prints. There was drama in every cushion and self-assurance in every mirror wall.

It was the decade that declared, “more is more,” but with hairspray precision. Memphis design made shapes bold again, and Art Deco had a glamorous comeback. Everything glowed — from the lighting to the acrylic coffee tables.

If you lean toward 80s interiors today, you probably enjoy a bit of structure. You like bold statements, neat symmetry and a home that looks like it might serve canapés at any moment. You’re organised but playful, confident but not afraid of a pastel.

The 1990s – Calm, Cool and a Little Bit Grunge

By the 90s, everyone was exhausted from all that shining and glossing. Minimalism arrived like a deep breath — white walls, beech wood, and furniture that looked quietly relieved to be simple again.

But the 90s weren’t as sterile as they sometimes appear in retrospect. There was warmth in the simplicity: terracotta tones, creamy neutrals, and the soft geometry of modern classics. This was the decade that swapped glass tables for chunky timber and embraced the occasional splash of sage green long before it became a trend.

Industrial design snuck in too — exposed brick, black metal, and honest materials. Somewhere between Friends and IKEA, a new kind of modern comfort emerged. It was casual, functional and just a little bit nostalgic before nostalgia was fashionable.

If the 90s feel like your natural habitat, you’re probably pragmatic with a poetic streak. You love a clean line but also a story. You want design that lasts and spaces that feel like home without the effort.

What the Decades Still Whisper

Each era left its fingerprints on the way we live now. The 70s taught us to feel, the 80s to show, and the 90s to edit. Most modern interiors are just echoes of those lessons — a mix of soul, statement and restraint.

So, if you ever wonder which decade you would’ve designed in, the answer might be all of them. After all, good style never really leaves; it just changes the music.