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Stranger Things interiors: 9 ways to bring 80s decor into your home
Stranger Things is back for its fifth and final season, and while we’re primed for Eleven and the gang’s last stand against Vecna and the Upside Down it’s the interiors that are unexpectedly stealing the spotlight.
But then box sets have long been influencing our design choices. So far this year Wednesday has ushered in a little whimsigoth, The Traitors gave us a taste for castlecore, and Carrie’s new apartment in And Just Like That encouraged us to adopt the quiet luxury look in our own, considerably more humble, abodes.
So it’s really no surprise that one of Netflix’s most popular shows should have us wanting to introduce some old school retro into our interiors.
According to the experts at Ruggable, Google searches for “80s-inspired interior design” spiked after the final series’ release date dropped earlier this year, with “maximalist living rooms”, “neon signs” and “art deco geometric patterns” topping the trends.
It seems that despite Hawkins being overrun with all manner of strange goings on, viewers are finding comfort in the show’s cosy throwbacks: the Byers’ wood-panelled, fairy-light-strewn living room; the Wheelers’ chintzy wallpaper and flouncy valances; and the patterned carpets and poofy curtains that once defined our childhood homes.
“The interiors in Stranger Things tap into such a strong sense of 80s nostalgia that resonates with so many of us,” explains Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James.
“There’s comfort in revisiting that bold style of the 80s, especially in a time when self-expression in interiors is starting to trend over minimalism.”
While we may have once sworn that shagpile would never darken our floors again, interiors experts insist there’s now a modern and sophisticated way to bring a touch of Hawkins homeliness into our décor in 2025.
Embrace a tile wallpaper mash-up
Layering wallpaper with tiles in the bathroom, like the Wheeler family bathroom from this season, is one trend that’s quietly making a comeback.
Chloe says the key to giving a nod to the 80s whilst still getting it right for today’s modern style is to link your tile and wallpaper together by a common thread of colour.
“Back in the 80s, Karen Wheeler might have mixed emerald-green tiles with pink-and-green wallpaper, but today a more considered approach works best,” she explains.
“Start by picking out one of the background shades in your patterned wallpaper and opt for one of these hues as your tile colour.
“This makes the look much more cohesive.”
Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors suggests contemporary geometric wallpapers or retro florals can give a nod to this look without overwhelming the space.
Work in wood panelling
Wood is a defining look throughout Stranger Things, with entire rooms in the Byers and Wheeler houses wrapped in deep-toned panelling.
The good news is that translating it for today is surprisingly easy, as dark timber, on walls, floors and even ceilings, is enjoying a major revival.
Don’t want to commit to wraparound wood? Kunal suggests dipping your toe in by trying wood cladding on one accent wall.
“Choose walnut or mid-oak furniture for richness,” he says.
“And add texture through woven baskets, bamboo blinds or rattan lighting.”
If you live in an older property, another great nod is to restore your home’s original wood flooring.
“Whilst full wood-drenching is likely a bit much for today’s tastes, having the original hardwood floors of your home showcased is a great way to apply an element of the trend without it being too overwhelming,” Chloe adds.
Lean into retro silhouettes
Designers are noticing a shift back to furniture with real personality including those classic curved silhouettes from the 80s and retro circular sideboards.
“A curved sofa is a great nod to the 80s, but you can now get these pieces in modern styles and colourways, such as white boucle,” Chloe explains.
Opting for a retro style in a muted tone or material means you can lean into 80s style without leaning away from a neutral palette which many people often prefer for an expensive piece like a sofa.
“Animal prints were also big in the 80s,” adds Chloe.
“So you could add a zebra cushion or leopard ottoman to really inject a little drama without dominating the space.”
Bring back the big light
Stranger Things is full of lighting inspiration, from bold neon signs to the iconic multi-coloured Christmas lights strung across the Byers’ living room.
But if that’s not your style, you can still capture the vibe with a single statement pendant that hints at the retro look without going full Hawkins.
“I love an 80s inspired main light fitting,” says Chloe.
“Circular in shape, these pieces bring an element of fun to the ceiling where a classic light fighting or basic chandelier might normally hang.
“If you have other curved elements in the room, a circular light fitting can be another great way to bring the trend altogether in one space, making everything look intentional.”
Adopt a warm colour palette
Switch fluoro brights for warmer, more muted hues – burnt oranges and mustard yellows over brighter tones and softer greens and pinks over neon shades.
“The colours that come to mind when we think of the 1980s are bright, bold tones such as neon pinks, electric blues and vibrant oranges, which can be tricky palettes to work with in an interior space due to the powerful nature of the tones,” explains Claudia Kampmann, brand manager at innovative interiors brand, Ruggable.
Instead she suggests opting for bold shades that radiate the same undertones.
“Reds, oranges and yellows are all classed as warm colours, and therefore, when paired together, create a cohesive feel throughout the home without causing visual overstimulation,” she says.
To really master an 80s-inspired colour scheme Claudia recommends going for similar brightnesses in each of the colours you choose and using each colour evenly throughout the room to ensure balance.
“Alternating between block and patterned colouring methods when adding these colours into your interior space is also a great way to help with the balance of the room whilst mastering an iconic retro finish.”
Layer retro with modern
Mixing in modern touches – sleek furniture, minimalist accents, or contemporary lighting – helps keep your home feeling fresh and avoids décor looking too dated.
“When drawing inspiration from past interior styles, you need to make sure you strike the right balance, capturing the charm and character of the era, without your home looking old-fashioned,” advises Hannah Thistlethwaite, home and fabrics buyer at interiors brand Heal’s.
“To keep your home looking current and timeless, you need to layer the subtle retro details into your modern backdrop for a playful, yet chic nod to the style.”
Embrace Art Deco 80s-style
Art Deco is enjoying a major moment in interiors right now, but it’s also a style that defined much of 80s design, with a more fun and playful element.
To capture that era’s essence in a contemporary home Hannah recommends incorporating accents of bubblegum and dusty pink, shell-inspired forms in lighting and vases, and striking geometric or glass mirrors that lend a glamorous yet playfully kitsch edge to your space.
Dress your windows
We thought we might have seen the last of flouncy window dressings, but the Wheeler home has brought them back into the spotlight.
“80s/90s interiors were big on layered window treatments, blinds with curtains, sheers with patterns,” explains Kunal.
To make it more modern he suggests combining a simple voile with a retro-inspired print or choose wave headings or tailored pleats to keep it contemporary.
“Opt for warm neutrals to stop the room feeling fussy,” he adds.
Know when to reign in the retro
Adopting 80s-inspired touches in your home is all about capturing the fun, nostalgic energy without tipping into full-on TV-set territory.
The key is to let one or two statement pieces – a geometric rug, a pop of neon, or a quirky light fixture – to nod to the era, while keeping the rest of your scheme clean and contemporary.
“Let each of these elements breathe,” advises Chloe.
“Pick one or two standout 80s-inspired features and build around them with more pared-back choices.
“That way, your home feels nostalgic and nods to the 80s trend without your whole home feeling like it’s from the set of Stranger Things.”
For more inspiration check out How to give your home a festive glow up with Christmas lights and Cosy maxxing is the TikTok interiors trend we all need right now
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