80s Party Decorations

A venue full of 80s party decorations is a must for any party themed around the decade. These ideas will help you cross off the decorations on your party planning checklist.

Disco Ball at an 80s Party

If you grew up in the 80s, you likely remember the bright neon colors that appeared on everything from spandex to sunglasses. Those classic shades of hot pink, neon green and electric yellow will greet the guests with a blast from the past and help set the tone. Black and white geometric shapes or animal prints offer another pattern and color scheme option for the party décor.

Welcome your guests to the 1980s with a variety of fun and creative themed decorations throughout the party area. Even on a small budget, you can transform the venue into an 80s mecca.

Hit the guests with the 80s theme the minute they walk into the door. A time warp tunnel leading into the party area is a creative option for the party entrance. Streamers secured to the ceiling and draped down to the floor or a series of balloon arches work well to create the tunnel feeling. Make a sign for each decade, starting with the current one and working backwards to the 80s. Place the signs along the tunnel to simulate moving backwards in time toward the 80s. A large “Welcome to the 80s” banner at the end of the tunnel announces the arrival to a night of fun.

Strobe lights can emphasize the dance club vibe at an 80s party. Colored lights aimed at a disco ball offer another option that works with the theme. The glimmering balls rose to popularity in the 70s but carried into the 80s as well, with Pink Floyd using a large one at a 1987 concert. The retro touch adds to the overall ambiance of the party.

The distinct music and movies of the 80s come to mind for many people. Posters depicting these icons of the decade offer a fitting idea for decorating the walls. Plaster pictures of popular 80s rock stars such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Mötley Crüe and Bon Jovi around the party area. If you can find inexpensive album covers from 80s musicians, hang them on the walls or suspend them from the ceilings. Pictures from classic 80s movies, such as Pretty in Pink, Rad and Space Balls, offer another wall decoration option.

Another option for making your own wall decorations is to create cardboard cutouts of iconic 80s memorabilia. Draw a large outline of shapes such as sunglasses, boom boxes, Pac Man, cassette tapes, Rubik’s cubes or Atari controllers. Use paint to add the details on the cardboard cutouts before hanging them for display.

Adding 80s decorations to the tables emphasizes the theme even more. Bowls of candy from the 80s will add color to the tables while providing snacks for the party guests. Ideas include Atomic Fireballs, Candy Buttons, candy necklaces, candy cigarettes and Lemonheads. Hometown favorites sells a variety of 80s candies that are difficult to find. Other varieties are still available in most stores.

Another option is to arrange toys and other items from the 80s on the tables. This might include Rubik’s cubes, leg warmers, cassette tapes, boom boxes, Atari systems or a Trivial Pursuit game. If many of the party guests grew up in the decade, ask them to share photos of themselves from the 80s. Make photo albums with the pictures or laminate them and use them as placemats on the tables.

Whether you focus on a particular aspect of the 80s or incorporate a range of themes from the decade, big and bright decorations are definitely in order. The decorations play a major role in setting the tone for any party so take the opportunity to emphasize the theme in your 80s party decorations. Party guests dressed in their best 80s clothes will blend right in with the decorated party venue.

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