You're About to See This Fun '80s Decor Trend Everywhere (With a Twist!)
First it was Memphis design, and now another iconic ‘80s look is making its way back onto the home decor scene. The squiggle, similar to the super-trendy scallop, is popular again, and it’s making furniture extra fun.
Squiggle details have been popping up in stores like Lulu and Georgia and 1stdibs recently, on items like sconces and tables. However, there’s a marked difference from their playful look in the ’80s — they’re popping up in a much more sophisticated manner, and the new takes on squiggles are making waves on social media, too.
In a recent TikTok, creator Taylor Simon (@intayinteriors) shows extremely cute and exciting squiggle items like table legs, staircases, headboards, and chairs, and on smaller items like candlesticks, cabinet pulls, and doorknobs.
Designer Amanda Jacobs says curvy designs and squiggles, which first became popular in the 1970s, are back because people are looking for comfort and familiarity — especially in the face of the stark minimalist design that took over in the 2010s. “We were trained to stay away from what our parents and grandparents liked in design, but as people are gravitating to the romanticism and softness of previous eras, curvy furniture and squiggles are becoming popular again,” she explains.
Rope design, bobbins, and ball leg furniture have also rolled back into style, adding a touch of whimsy and “making furniture fascinating,” as Jacobs says. But don’t worry about investing in these shapes if you think it’ll look too trendy in a few years — Jacobs says the squiggle is here to stay, especially now that’s being used with traditional, sophisticated materials like wood and wrought iron. Plus, its shape may get even more funky in the future.
If you want to incorporate the squiggle into your everyday life, check out some of our favorite products!
Aria Coffee Table Aria Coffee Table
This coffee table incorporates the squiggle design just under the glass top, making it both unique and elegant. It’s made of eucalyptus wood with a walnut veneer and comes in both white and brown.
Eternity Modern Wabi Sabi Chair Eternity Modern Wabi Sabi Chair
If you really want to dive into the squiggles, give this chair a spin. Its steel frame is made almost entirely of squiggles, all surrounding a comfy cushion. Its price is on the higher side, but it’s worth it if you really want to lean into the trend.
Monte Ivory Performance Fabric Dining Chair Monte Ivory Performance Fabric Dining Chair
If you’re looking for a subtler squiggle design, this is the chair for you. Made with oak and plush foam, it looks both comfortable and stylish.
Squiggle Vinyl Storage Shelf Squiggle Vinyl Storage Shelf
This vinyl storage shelf makes for a beautiful neutral, minimalist addition in white, and is perfect for magazines, records, or knickknacks. If you’re looking for a pop of color, it’s also available in lavender.
Curved Iron Candle Holder Curved Iron Candle Holder
If you’re still wondering if this trend is for you, these gorgeous iron candleholders are a great way to incorporate a little curve into your home.
Brightech Squiggle Desk Lamp Brightech Squiggle Desk Lamp
Lighting is another subtle way to lean into this design trend. This brass-finish lamp makes a great addition to a desk or a bedside table, and gives an artsy feel to any room.
4 Pack WIGGLE Brass Cabinet Pulls 4 Pack WIGGLE Brass Cabinet Pulls
The wavy design of these pulls would work on almost any piece of furniture, from kitchen drawers to hallways cabinets. They’re the perfect way to add a little bit of whimsy to your interiors.
