80s party
Anne Perius |
Discovering new paths
Creativity influenced every area of life during this decade. Artists also broke new ground in design. Functional forms were replaced by loud and colorful furniture. Homes became cozy, colorful, and individual.
Large upholstered sofas, plywood cabinets, and glass display cases defined the style of the 1980s. These were joined by objects with unconventional designs. Trends branched out in many directions. Forms were no longer simply “good” or “bad.” Design truly flourished and demonstrated what was possible when people broke away from classic design principles. And for those who found it too colorful, there was the minimalist anti-style, which became established as a counter-movement. Design, too, reflected the contradictions that were typical of the decade. At Kostümpalast, we give you an overview of 1980s design. And who knows—perhaps you still have a few matching pieces of furniture when the next ’80s party comes around. We definitely have the perfect 1980s costumes for you.
Breaking out of the “proper form”
Design boomed in the ’80s. The desire for variety in taste and style grew louder. Unusual furniture designs allowed people to express their individuality. Designers gave these demands form. In previous decades, functionality, rationality, and ergonomics had defined German interiors. Now, the so-called “good forms” dictated by the Bauhaus and produced industrially were being challenged.
The most important design trends of the ’80s featured garish colors, bizarre and ironic shapes, and even kitschy interpretations. A huge tiger-print sofa, colorful carpets, chairs with plush upholstery, plywood cabinets covered with wood-effect foil, and unusually shaped everyday objects—all of these could now be found in people’s homes. People wanted variety, not to look boringly alike.
To make rooms appear larger, glass came into fashion. Glass display cabinets made rooms seem more spacious, while allowing people to showcase their unique pieces. A classic backdrop for such a creative room was a large-format photomural depicting a southern beach.
Even if you do not have suitable furniture in your home, you can capture the spirit of the ’80s with unusual accessories, Caribbean posters, an air guitar for rock stars, or a harmonica.
The greatest designers of the ’80s
Designers freed themselves from constraints. Everything seemed permissible. One example is the “Juicy Salif” lemon squeezer by French designer Philippe Stark. He designed it in 1987. Unlike conventional lemon squeezers, it has neither a sieve for seeds nor a collecting container. With its three spindly legs, it looks downright grotesque. Starck cared about the feelings his objects evoked. He focused far more on their communicative function than on their practical one.
Other designers, such as Ettore Sottsass, Rolf Benz, Alessandro Mendini, Ron Arad, and Toshiyuki Kita, also opposed mass consumption with “new designs.” One-off pieces and small series played a crucial role, and Pop Art was an exciting subject for many designers.
For those who prefer something more understated
Of course, not everyone liked a colorful home with unconventional interior design. As a counter-movement, the anti-style of the 1980s emerged. The furniture remained understated, often black and featuring chrome-plated elements. Rolf Benz, for example, also created design pieces in the minimalist style. His large, black leather sofa was an elegant eye-catcher in the living room. Combined with a white wall, it demonstrated the 1980s lover of understated design’s impeccable sense of style.
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