Plastic Fruit Displays
Perfectly arranged bowls of plastic fruit were a kitchen staple back in the 80s. They looked shiny and fresh from a distance, but up close, they fooled no one. Modern chefs might laugh at the idea of fake food taking up counter space when that stuff is valuable.
Electric Can Openers
Electric can openers were once a kitchen status symbol. People proudly displayed them on the counter like they were high-tech gadgets from the future. (Which, in a way, they sort of were at the time.) But in modern kitchens, most folks reach for a simple handheld opener that works faster and takes up no space.
Overhead Fluorescent Tube Lighting
If you cooked in the 80s, chances are you stood under a harsh, buzzing fluorescent light. It made everything look a little washed out, but it was considered bright and practical. Nowadays, kitchens instead lean toward warm LEDs.
Avocado Green Appliances
Back in the 80s, avocado green was considered the height of kitchen chic. Refrigerators, stoves, and even blenders proudly wore the hue. But today’s kitchen lovers would probably cringe at how dull and dated that color looks compared to sleek stainless steel or bright whites.
Harvest Gold Everything
If it wasn’t avocado green, it was harvest gold. This warm yellow-gold shade covered fridges, stoves, countertops, and even Tupperware. Designers of the time thought it made kitchens look “inviting,” but today’s cooks might say it made everything look a little dingy.
Microwaves the Size of Suitcases
Microwaves were the ultimate modern convenience in the 80s, but they were absolutely massive. These bulky beasts took up half the counter and buzzed like they might take off. And they weren’t exactly energy efficient either. Modern microwaves are much better.
Wood Paneling on Everything
Many 80s kitchens looked more like cozy cabins than cooking spaces. Wood paneling covered the walls, the cabinets, and sometimes even the fridge doors. While it gave off a “warm” vibe back then, today’s chefs hate it. They prefer those all-white kitchens that look so good on Pinterest.
Floral Wallpaper Borders
It wasn’t an 80s kitchen unless there was a floral or fruit-patterned wallpaper border running along the top of the walls. They featured grapes, apples, roses - sometimes all at once. It was meant to make the space feel “homey,” but it definitely hasn’t stood the test of time.
CorningWare With Blue Cornflower Pattern
If you grew up in the 80s, chances are your family had at least one piece of blue cornflower CorningWare. These dishes went from oven to table with pride. Today’s chefs might see them as a little old-fashioned, but they’ve actually become collectible.
Tupperware
Tupperware was everywhere. After the famous home parties, kitchens filled with colorful plastic containers in every shape imaginable. Half the lids never matched the bottoms, but people held onto them anyway.
Phones
Once upon a time, phones (and older, wired phones at that) were kept in the kitchen so you could cook and chat at the same time. This is frowned upon today. Anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen knows, your attention should be on the cooking and nothing else.
Spice Racks That Held 6 Jars Total
In the 80s, a “well-stocked” spice rack usually had about six dusty jars - salt, pepper, paprika, maybe some oregano. Today’s chefs might laugh at how limited that lineup was. Now, people have entire drawers or pull-out racks with dozens of spices.
Crockpots With Orange and Brown Patterns
The slow cooker was a must-have, but 80s Crockpots came in… interesting designs. Think bright orange, playful patterns, and big plastic knobs. While the technology hasn’t changed much, the style sure has. Today’s models are sleek and stainless.
Duck and Goose Decor
You couldn’t escape the country kitchen duck or goose motif in the 80s. Towels, curtains, wallpaper, glasses - those little birds were everywhere. For some reason, they were often wearing blue ribbons. It was meant to feel charming, but people roll their eyes at it today. It’s seen as childish.
Wall-Mounted Bottle Openers
Before fancy corkscrews and automatic wine gadgets, a wall-mounted bottle opener next to the fridge was the real deal. Every kitchen seemed to have one for sodas or beer. They were simple, effective, and a bit rustic. But if you’re a millennial or younger, chances are you’ve never even seen one.
Popcorn Poppers That Looked Like Spaceships
Everyone had one of those hot-air popcorn poppers with a yellow top. You’d pour in the kernels, wait for the whoosh, and watch popcorn fly into a bowl. It was a big deal for family movie nights. These days, microwave bags and air fryers do the job faster.
Macramé Plant Hangers Over the Sink
Macramé plant hangers with spider plants or ivy dangling over the kitchen sink were practically required decor in the 80s. It was part of the “earthy” look that went so well with wood paneling and warm tones. Unfortunately, though, macramé doesn’t do well in hot kitchens. And who wants it in your face when you’re trying to wash dishes?
Cookie Tins Full of Sewing Supplies
You know the one - the blue Royal Dansk butter cookie tin. It started life holding cookies but inevitably ended up full of thread, buttons, and needles. Every 80s kitchen had one tucked in a cabinet. Some modern kitchens do too! Those makeshift cookie tin sewing boxes are so popular they’re even a meme on the internet.
Jell-O Molds Hanging on the Wall
Jell-O molds weren’t just for gelatin - they were wall art too. Copper- or silver-colored molds shaped like fish, stars, or rings hung proudly as decoration. Today’s chefs might cringe at the idea of Jell-O salad centerpieces, but in the 80s, they ruled.
Knife Blocks With Dull Blades
Most 80s kitchens had a chunky wooden knife block sitting proudly on the counter - but the knives inside were rarely sharp. They were more about looking professional than actually slicing well. Modern chefs prize razor-sharp blades.
Formica Countertops
Formica ruled the 80s kitchen. Bright patterns, faux woodgrain, or pastel swirls covered nearly every surface. It was affordable and easy to clean, but not exactly glamorous. Today’s chefs favor butcher block, quartz, or granite, but Formica was the budget-friendly standard back then.
Wicker Bread Baskets
Wicker baskets weren’t just for picnics - they were a kitchen must-have. People used them for bread, fruit, or just as decorative centerpieces. It’s a shame this trend has gone away, but maybe it’ll eventually work its way back.
Curtains
Kitchens in the 80s were rarely minimalist - especially when it came to window treatments. Ruffled curtains with busy fruit or floral patterns were practically mandatory. But curtains can get moldy in a kitchen, and people don’t use them much anymore.
Electric Knife Sets
Electric knives were considered cutting-edge (literally) in the 80s. People brought them out to carve a roast or slice bread with a satisfying buzz. These days, most chefs roll their eyes at the gimmick - they prefer a sharp chef’s knife that doesn’t sound like a power tool.
Butter Dishes on the Counter
Before everyone worried about refrigeration and expiration dates, butter dishes sat proudly on the counter in 80s kitchens. That way ensured that butter stayed soft and spreadable, just the way people liked it. Maybe your grandmother still does this?
Ceramic Rooster Figurines
For some reason, ceramic roosters became the unofficial mascot of 80s kitchens. They perched on countertops, shelves, and windowsills, giving the space a “country” vibe. Nowadays, though, they’re considered a little cheesy.
Fridge Magnets From Every Vacation
The 80s fridge door was basically a scrapbook in another form. Every family trip meant another magnet stuck onto the refrigerator. Those magnets held up grocery lists, kids’ drawings, and recipes clipped from magazines. It’s a shame this has gone out of fashion, it was nice to have a kitchen that triggered memories.
Recipe Cards in a Wooden Box
Long before tablets, every home cook had a little wooden box full of handwritten recipe cards. They were stained, smudged, and well-loved. Modern chefs might keep everything digital, but these boxes were treasured family heirlooms.
Milk Glass Mixing Bowls
White milk glass mixing bowls were standard issue in 80s kitchens. They were heavy, durable, and somehow always a little cold to the touch. Alas, they’ve been replaced by glass or stainless steel bowls, though some still exist.
Microwave Bacon Racks
Cooking bacon in the microwave felt futuristic in the 80s. These white plastic racks promised “less grease” and “perfect crispiness” (though reality didn’t always match the hype). A lot of kids today probably haven’t even heard of them, though.
Frosted Glass Cabinet Doors
Many 80s kitchens had frosted glass cabinet doors with gold trim or floral etching. They were meant to make the kitchen feel elegant, but mostly just made it hard to find your coffee mugs. You still get the odd kitchen with frosted glass, especially in the homes of slightly older people.
The SaladShooter
Ah yes - the mighty SaladShooter. This electric slicer/shredder was advertised like it could turn anyone into a gourmet chef. In reality, it mostly made a mess of carrots and cheese, spraying bits everywhere. Modern chefs might laugh at how bulky and unnecessary it was when a good chef’s knife could do the job in seconds.
Colorful Cereal Boxes
The 80s breakfast table was a rainbow of cereal boxes shouting at you from every angle. Neon colors, cartoon mascots, and way too much sugar - kids loved it. But now we know, inside those colorful boxes lay nothing but health problems.
Wallpaper All Over The Place
In the 80s, wallpaper wasn’t just for accent walls - it covered entire kitchens. Florals, fruits, stripes, and sometimes all three at once jumped out at you once you entered. And if that wasn’t enough, people added matching borders at the ceiling. But you’ll be hard pressed to find a wallpapered kitchen now.
Tile Backsplashes With Busy Patterns
Tile backsplashes in the 80s were anything but subtle. Think tiny fruit motifs, earthy browns, or intricate geometric patterns that clashed with everything else in the room. They were meant to add character, but to today’s chefs, they can feel a little… chaotic. Modern backsplashes are sleek and minimal.
