While the ‘80s might be known as the ugly era of decor, London-based retail manager Simon Knight is working hard to change people’s perceptions with his delightfully garish interiors Instagram account,@the_80s_interior. Showcasing the maximalist design of the era—think gaudy neons alongside nauseating pastels, chunky TV sets, garish tiles, and a lush abundance of tropical palms—the account is the antithesis to the contemporary obsession with clean white-walled minimalism.
Now boasting an impressive 144k followers, Knight started @the_80s_interior back in 2017 when when he was searching for pictures of an old shopping mall he used to visit. He posted some photos on his account, and received such a positive reaction from friends that he thought there was and Instagram account to be made here. Plucking the kitschy images from old interiors books and magazines—salvaged from extensive Ebay and thrift shop trawling— the inspiration was simply the sensation of nostalgia.
The anything-goes ethos of the account has only one exception: no people. “On my feed I like the interiors to be void of people as I like my followers to imagine themselves in the rooms and make it their own,” explains Knight. “It also just looks nicer, more like a set piece.” From pastel velveteen sofas and peachy colour palettes to mirrored elevators and kaleidoscopic bathroom tiling and hot-tubs galore, @the_80s_interior is a treasure trove of over-the-top ‘80s design. And Knight’s personal favourite feature? The “carpeted sunken baths,” of course.
