A Decade of Decadence

Excess defined the ‘80s—and rightfully so. After nearly a decade of high interest rates, steep unemployment, and steady inflation, the economy was finally taking a turn for the better. Money was flowing, women were firmly established in the workplace, and households now had two incomes to manage, save, and spend. Young urban professionals (or yuppies, as they were called) took to cities, hoping to make a name for themselves. MTV dominated television screens, introducing the world to artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and Boy George. Pac-Man and personal computers changed how we worked and played in the home. And the strict, rigid rules of modernism finally gave way to something louder, flashier, and far more personal.

Bigger Becomes Better

As the economy recovered and two-income households became the norm, American families continued setting their sights on the suburbs. Much like the generations that came before, they wanted bigger, better homes that catered to everyone in the household. So, the contemporary house was born. These homes often flaunted asymmetrical facades, unusual rooflines, and fun geometric shapes. But above all else, they were big. At the start of the decade, the average detached single-family home measured around 1,700 square feet. By the end of the ’80s, that number had climbed to just under 2,000.

The Memphis Group Forms

At the same time, a revolutionary design group was taking shape in Milan, Italy, led by architect and designer Ettore Sottsass. The Memphis Group—otherwise known as Memphis Milano—set out with one simple goal in mind: to change how design was thought of. It broke the rules of modernism and minimalism, purposefully defying the dominating dogma of the past three decades.

In the spring of 1981, the group unveiled its first collection at Milan’s Salone del Mobile, sparking instant fascination and controversy. The collection was loud, bright, and playful—everything that modernism was not. Many of the group’s pieces played with form, resulting in bold geometric shapes, squiggles, and curves that would go on to inspire shows like Saved by the Bell and Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Some even consider the original MTV logo to be a direct byproduct of Memphis design. So, while it might have been short-lived (the group disbanded in 1987), Memphis design helped define the decade’s over-the-top sense of self and style.

Colors That Defined the Decade

Some of the bright, bold primary colors that defined Memphis design seeped into the decade’s broader palette, but none made a splash quite like the pastels of Miami Vice. Muted pastels—like light blue, green, peach, yellow, and pink—dominated the interior landscape, replacing the earthy hues of the flower-power era. However, the most defining color of the decade was mauve, a pale shade of purple with blue and gray undertones. Mauve was to the ’80s what brown was to the ’70s: ever-present. From carpet and wallpaper to furniture and accessories, the decade was positively drenched in it.

Furniture with Flair

Another defining feature of the era? The furniture. As we mentioned earlier, bigger often meant better, and hair wasn’t the only thing getting the full-volume treatment. The furniture of the ’80s was just about as padded as your favorite power blazer. Think big, puffy sectionals, curved sofas, mirrored walls, glass-topped coffee tables, chrome finishes, shiny lacquered surfaces, and ruffles galore. Everything was built to make a statement. Even high design followed suit. Standout pieces like Paolo Deganello’s Torso chair, Vico Magistretti’s Silver chair, and Jasper Morrison’s Plywood chair pushed the boundaries of form while still embracing the decade’s flair for the dramatic.

A Mix of Styles

That said, when it came to home décor, no single style defined the decade—several did. Much of this came down to the highly personalized nature of interior design at the time. One standout was the English cottage look, made popular by the likes of Laura Ashley. Homes that embraced this style were filled with overstuffed, floral chintz sofas, pillows, draperies, and more. Wallpaper was often chosen to coordinate with the surrounding soft fashions and fixtures. At the same time, designers like Ralph Lauren brought country and prep styles back into the fold. These interiors often featured crisp white and blue palettes reminiscent of fine china, with classic patterns like stripes and checks.

Lafayette Becomes an Industry Leader

Much like everything else in the '80s, Lafayette was also getting bigger. Over the course of the decade, Joe Morgan Sr. renovated and expanded what was once the Kessener Lumber building—going so far as to build a building within a building to work around local zoning laws. That space would later be known as Lafayette's 10th Street location. Around the same time, they added an additional story to the Roberts Street building.

And in true '80s fashion, they leased and opened their very own soft fashions building on the corner of 9th street and canal road, where they developed draperies, valances, cornices, and more.

But the biggest milestone of the decade? Lafayette's expansion beyond state lines. Lafayette Venetian Blinds Inc.—as it was known at the time—had grown enough to warrant an eastern expansion. So, trusted employee Arnie Hummer moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to oversee operations. With buildings scattered across Lafayette, and now a foothold in the East, Lafayette was no longer just a family name—it was a true industry leader.

Final Thoughts

The 1980s were anything but subtle, and that was the point. Design became a tool for self-expression, whether that meant pastel walls, chintz-covered everything, or sleek, mirrored finishes. It was a decade that embraced the bold, the oversized, and the unexpected, proving that style didn’t have to follow a single path to make an impact.

What were some of your favorite moments from the decade of decadence? We’d love to hear from you! Join us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to continue the discussion.

Lafayette Interior Fashions is a family-owned, to-the-trade manufacturer of blinds, shades, draperies, and other custom-crafted interior fashion products. To learn more about our products, find a local dealer near you.