We’re not sure if you know this… but it’s our fiftieth birthday this year! And considering we’ve been around for a long time, that means we’ve also watched furniture trends evolve and change… for a long time. Some good, some bad. Some just … okay. So today we’d like to take you on a journey through time and explore some of the wildest furniture trends we’ve observed over the years together.
Let us know which ones were your favourite! Or, alternatively, which ones you’d never be caught dead with in your living room…
The 70’s
Ah.. what a time to be alive. Well, so I’ve heard anyways. I wasn’t there. This decade was bold in every way – think greens and oranges as the key colours of the era. Interesting, I know. Another notable aspect of this era was the rise of shag carpeting. One major trend that really took off in the seventies and lasted nobly to this day is the modular unit! These sofas gave people more freedom with their furniture – and the seventies were all about change and versatility, we can see why the appeal hasn’t faded. Just check out our Orlando Modular Sofa; it perfectly encapsulates what the 70’s were all about, while still perfect for today!
The 80’s
The time of glamour and excess! The 80s brought a lot of interesting fashion trends to light, some which have stood the test of time, and others that faded out as time moved on.
One that’s definitely lasted in our homes is the use of velvet and leather upholstery. Super eye-catching while still carrying that cosy vibe from the seventies. This decade really went all out, think colourful maximalism and curvy lines. The defining colour of this era was certainly a blush mauve, which adds a cosy ‘kitsch’ aura to the interior decoration. You can really see the eighties influence in our Ankur TV stand; those curved lines and quirky look are a perfect representation of the decade that saw the rise in TV entertainment!
The 90’s
What a time! Friends is on TV, Ireland are on their way to the World Cup… the whole world at our feet! And boy, what a time for furniture! When the words ‘furniture’ and ‘nineties’ spring to mind, the first things to spring to mind are the inflatable, see-through chairs and beanbags. Of course, things didn’t stop there. The nineties also leaned into minimalism more so than the decades before had. As style moved with time, we saw a lot more clean lines in furniture, replacing the quirky curvature of the eighties.
The 00’s
With the new millenia came new trends – open plan living spaces and eclectic mixing of styles. The mixing of old vintage pieces with modern additions created a really personalised feel to any space. We really leaned into the freedom of open plan spaces in this decade – who wouldn’t want their kitchen, dining, and living rooms to be one big shared zone? If you’re looking to recreate that look today, a good start is by mixing and matching different pieces together – a sleek, leather couch paired with a vintage rug is a great way to achieve that 90’s look!
The 10’s
As we move into the 2010s, we’re starting to see technology being incorporated into furniture, adding small little upgrades to the way we use our furniture. As we started to get more tech-savvy, we saw things like incorporated charging ports in sofas and coffee tables. The Taylor is a great choice if you’re looking to up your furniture game! Despite the inclination towards the modernity of technology, we also saw a resurgence of the mid-century modern style, which brought with it a classic look!
The 20’s
Ah.. the roaring twenties. What a time we live in. It seems sometimes that trends change so fast that we’re left wondering if it was ever really a trend, or just a passing phase that caught our fancy. In the era of fast-fashion and ever-changing fads, for something to have staying power, it needs to prove itself. One of the main trends we’ve observed so far in this decade is the return of bold statements – people really want to harness the creativity of furniture.
Another fun trend that’s seen popularity in recent years is bringing nature inside with our styling. Biophilic design is a concept that’s intended to help us feel more connected to nature through our surroundings, and I certainly think it’s a winner! If you’re struggling with this one, and a bit unsure where to start – go for a plant! Start by adding a little bit of greenery and go from there.
So, there you have it.
Now that we’ve spent a little while together going fifty years back in time, which trend do you think has lasting power? And which one do you think should stay in the past? Each certainly has their merits, a favourite of mine being the everlasting charm of the eighties.
Here at Michael Murphy, we’ve been around for all of them, and we certainly try to cater for every era too! Over the last fifty years we’ve experimented with different styles, but you can certainly find something either in-store or online to suit your fancy! And did we mention? We’re celebrating our 50th Anniversary by giving away a brand new Volkswagen Polo! All you have to do to enter is purchase anything before 6pm on the 31st of October, and you’ll be in with a chance to win. Good luck!
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