The 80s swirl decor trend is back and better than ever

Squiggle decor is making a comeback right now, and we’re wondering why this playful design trend ever went away. With their curves and childlike playfulness, squiggles are often associated with colorful, personality-filled spaces. However, the shape is versatile and can work well in traditional spaces too. Read on to learn how the squiggle design rose to popularity and how you can use it in your home today.

How the Squiggle got its start: Memphis design of the 1980s

Flourishes gained popularity in the early 1980s as a reaction to the clean and simple design approaches of previous decades, including midcentury modern and minimalism. At the forefront of the new wave of color and pattern was Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass with his Memphis design style.

Named after Bob Dylan’s song “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”, Memphis design is the signature style of the Memphis group, a collection of artists and designers brought together by Sottsass who are known for their bright and bold style. Core elements of Memphis design were bright colors, mixed geometric patterns and shapes, and the incorporation of curves and flourishes. Cult followers of Memphis design included celebrities and artists such as David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld.

Despite its fan base, the Memphis-based company disbanded in 1987, but its unconventional use of color and pattern became a hallmark of the ’80s and is often associated with the decade. The use of bold colors, zigzag and squiggle prints, layered graphic elements, and even the original MTV logo can all be attributed to Memphis design.

The squiggle trend today

While bright retro prints may not be as popular today, flourishes are still commonly used in the home and fashion worlds. Interior designers and DIYers are using flourishes to add playful accent walls to their homes. Emily Shaw created a wood wall with flourishes in her bedroom for a subtle take on the trend, while Chelsea Zeferina took a bold approach by filling a blank wall with a red flourish sticker above her bed.

Lately, we’ve seen home brands transform flourishes into sophisticated details for decor and furniture. Scroll-shaped drawer pulls, candlesticks, and curved tables and chairs with scroll edges are just a few examples of how the pattern is being implemented into home items.

Whether you paint a bold swirl design on an accent wall or opt for a lamp with a simple swirl base, this swirl pattern is a natural way to brighten up any room. Plus, swirls are guaranteed to put a smile on people’s faces when they walk into a room, and that will never go out of style.