These Four ’80s Bathroom Trends Are Back, and They’re So Over-the-Top

Ah, the ’80s: A time when design trends were over-the-top, and everything was glamorous. Black marble. Bright brass. Glass blocks. Whether it was a penthouse in New York or a suburban home on a cul-de-sac in Nebraska, the design style was big and bold.

There’s no doubt that the design trends that followed were a reaction to this era; by the early 2000s, neutral stone-look tile and soft brushed nickel took over. But trends are cyclical, and it appears that the ’80s seem to be creeping back. It started with a return to maximalism, now bathrooms are getting in on the action.

Does that mean sellers should leave their 1980s bathroom in pristine condition if they decide to sell? The real estate design experts have weighed in, and the answer? It depends.

There are a few bathroom trends from the ’80s that the experts generally agree have made their way back onto the scene. With a little bit of staging and sprucing up, these features can be bold, exciting, and make your bathroom stand out, while not feeling as dated as they literally are.

If your ’80s bathroom involves dramatic granite or marble, then it’s a smart idea to keep it, even if you’re dreaming of a more up-to-date carrara or white marble. Natural stone will always be in style. “Are the ’80s back? Yes and no. Yes to bold natural stone. I often advise clients not to rip out their marble and granite. Natural will always be better than something man-made,” says Kimbilyn Charbonneau, owner of Kim Joy Design.

Black marble had its 15 minutes of fame in the ’80s, and it’s slowly making a comeback in residential design. Erica Davis, founder of Eralyn Interiors, points out that it can be staged in a way that feels sophisticated (and it’ll save you major money to leave it!). 

“When it’s paired with clean lines, modern fixtures, and simple styling, black marble can feel dramatic and high-end in a really chic way,” says Davis. “But if it’s surrounded by heavy cabinetry, shiny brass from the ’80s, or dated lighting, it looks stuck in the past.”

Davis says the goal is to style it in a way that doesn’t make the buyer feel like they’re going to have to rip it out, because that translates into dollars they’re subtracting from what they’re willing to pay for your house.

There was a time when glass blocks were a design red flag. Everyone was ripping it out without a second thought. But real estate pros have long loved it, and today, glass block is having a resurgence. That’s good news for anyone with a 1980s bathroom that’s heavy on the light-filtering glass block.

“Yes to glass block!” says Charbonneau. “I just finished a bathroom where the glass block was repurposed. The diamond pattern was pared back and we were able to create a modern shower.”

Baron Alloway, broker of record at Alloway Property Group Ltd., adds, “Glass block has made a comeback in a ‘post-post-modernist’ design landscape. It can serve as a substitute for frosted glass in areas where natural light yet privacy might be needed, like shower windows.”

You’ve probably been in a restaurant or boutique hotel bathroom where a black toilet caught you off guard. These were the hot “commode-ity” in the 1980s, and they’re back for anyone looking for that modern, glam style. And, while a toilet that’s almost four decades old probably should be replaced before selling, there’s no reason you can’t put a black one back in if it matches the aesthetic of your overall bathroom and you’re trying to sell a cohesive look to a buyer. 

This isn’t to say all bathroom trends from the 1980s are back — or that you should embrace them if they aren’t already in your home. Some pros lean towards gutting the ’80s bathroom altogether. 

“Bold looks from the ’80s or ’90s might be trendy at the moment, but they rarely appeal to a broad buyer pool,” says Heather Amalaha, studio principal and home stager at Showhomes Premier Design Studio. Most people want these areas to feel timeless and move-in ready, not like a time capsule.”

And there is one trend that is definitely not making a comeback for most home buyers.

“Those oversized, sunken tubs need to go,” says Charbonneau. If your bathroom has one of these oversized monstrosities, it might be best to rip it out and remodel if you’re trying to sell your home as move-in ready. 

Davis explains, “Even if a sunken tub is functional, most buyers view it as clunky and dated. This feature immediately signals an older renovation, and it’s hard to stage around because it takes up so much visual space.”

Plus, if you take it out, that gives you room for both a walk-in shower and a tub, like a wet room — and that’s something most buyers will pay top dollar for.