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20 Awesome 80s Party Decoration Ideas

August 13 By Kim Anderson

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If you grew up in the 80’s then you remember the bright neon colors, the crazy hair and the most fun music there has ever been. So many things we experience today are based on the fun and ridiculousness of that decade. I love revisiting this time period when throwing a great party. Here are a few of my favorite 80’s party decorations to help at your next party!

80s Party Decorations: Photo Booth

When you are getting people together and they are dressed up for a theme, it is great to have a place where they can commemorate the evening with a photo. My personal requirements for a good photo booth are simple.

Basic 80s Party Photo Booth needs

  • Back drop- this can either be a neutral curtained back drop or one that fits with a specific 80’s party theme.
  • Cute Props
  • Camera/Phone Tripod
  • Good lighting
  • Instant Print camera

80s Party Photo Booth Back Drop Themes

  • Rock and Roll back drop

Fun Express Rock Star Party Backdrop Banner

  • 80’s Hip Hop Photo Booth

Mehofoto Hip Hop Graffiti Backdrop Retro 80th 90th Themed Party Photography Backdrops 7x5ft Urban Art Graffiti Wall Background for Picture

  • Glamour Shots Back Drop

MEETSIOY Marble Texture Backdrop Pink Minimalist Retro 7X5ft Photography Background Themed Party Photo Booth YouTube Backdrop LXMT1208

80s Party Decoration Photo Booth Props

Props for a photo booth are always necessary to up the fun. This allows people who are less comfortable in a photographic situation to get to participate without anxiety.

80s Photo Props (32 Pieces) for Photo Booths, Parties and More! Our Photo Prop Party Favors are Pre-Made (Not DIY) for Your Convenience!

Feather Boa Set of Vibrant Colors – Fits Any Occasion – Mardi Gras Decorations – Party Supplies – Costume Boas – 6.6ft, Long Feather Boas – Fluffy – Eco-Friendly (Rainbow (6pcs), 40g)

Other Fun 80s Party Prop Ideas:

Pop by your local thrift store and see if you can find some of these clothing items to throw into the mix!

  • Jackets
    • Sequin
    • Jean
    • Windsuit
    • Leopard print
    • Funny formal wear

If you are near a good costume party store you may be able to find these easily.

  • Wigs
      • Classic mullet

    Fun World Men’s Mullet Wig, yellow, Standard

      • Hair Metal Wig

    California Costumes Men’s Heavy Metal Rocker Wig,Blonde,One Size

      • mo-hawk

    UHC Adult Double Mohawk Punk Rocker 80’s Wig Halloween Costume Accessory (RED/BLK)

  • the “Joan Jett”

Rubie’s Rockin Diva Wig with Tinsel, Black/Silver, One Size

80’s Party Decoration Ideas- Photo Booth Camera and Lighting needs

Having a good camera set up is important.

  • I have a small gorilla tripod
  • It’s great for this style of photo booth because it holds to anything it can wrap around.
  • If I want to move the photo booth to a different location or have it in an area where a traditional tripod wouldn’t work, I can clip it to a branch or overhang.
  • Perfect if you already have good lighting for the booth

JOBY GorillaPod 1K Kit. Compact Tripod 1K Stand and Ballhead 1K for Compact Mirrorless Cameras or Devices up to 1k (2.2lbs). Black/Charcoal.

If you want the complete package, this light ring and tripod combination is perfect.

  • Adjustable heights
  • Ring light provides the perfect lighting for your location
  • Has a phone holder if you are using your cellphone for photos

8″ Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand & Cell Phone Holder for Live Stream/Makeup, UBeesize Mini Led Camera Ringlight for YouTube Video/Photography Compatible with iPhone Xs Max XR Android (Upgraded)


Instant print camera 

There are several different instant print cameras available these days. This warms my heart coming from the era of the Polaroids covering my bedroom wall.

  • Quick printing with no ink to refill in less than a minute
  • Optional sticker backing for decorative use
  • Easy to use and refill

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera – Ice Blue

Kodak PRINTOMATIC Digital Instant Print Camera (Yellow), Full Color Prints On ZINK 2×3″ Sticky-Backed Photo Paper – Print Memories Instantly

80’s Party Decoration Ideas: Tablescapes and Table Decorations

Paint bucket spill table centerpiece for 80's party

There are many table options when throwing a party. Once you have decided on the style and amount of tables you will have, you will be able to decide your direction on decorations. Tables to consider:

  • Large party with round tables in need of decoration
  • Smaller party tables- like high cocktail tables
  • Food and drink tables

80’s Party Decoration Ideas: Tablescape needs

For the table you will want to have:

  • Themed table cloths
  • Optional layered neon/bright color table cloths
  • Statement centerpiece with height
  • Layers of thematic pieces

80’s party decoration table cloths-

GIFTEXPRESS 2-Pack Black & White Checkered Flag Table Cover Party Favor/Checkered Tablecloth/Disposable Checkered Racing Table Cover/Check Table Cover (2)

Curated Nirvana Wild Stripes Animal Print Table Cover Bundle | Tiger, Zebra & Leopard Print Jungle Theme Table Cloths

80’s Tablecover Party Accessory (1 count) (1/Pkg)

12 Plastic Tablecloths – Lime Green, Sunshine Yellow, Orange – Premium Thickness Disposable Table Cover, 108 x 54 Inch, 4 Each Color

80’s Party Decoration Ideas: Paint Bucket Table Supplies

300 Glow Sticks Bulk Party Supplies – Glow in The Dark Fun Party Pack with 8″ Glowsticks and Connectors for Bracelets and Necklaces for Kids and Adults

United Solutions 2-Gallon Residential Food Grade General Bucket FDA approved Pail Food Beverage Storage Container

  • To set up the “paint spill” you will need to create a stand.
  • This can be done easily with a post and weighted base similar to a paper towel holder.
  • You will want this to be at least 24″ in height.
  • Drape cloth over stand with enough excess fabric to “pool” over the base of stand and onto table
  • Place bucket on the stand into the corner base seam of bucket
  • If having trouble “balancing” bucket on its side, place a wash cloth or excess material in corner seam to adjust weight

How to create a paint spill table scape

80’s Party Decorations: Party Packs

There are so many party packs available to help this theme be everything you want it to be.

  • Balloons
  • Streamers
  • Vinyl Records
  • Themed Cut outs

12 Pack 11″ Safari Print Latex Balloons Zebra Cheetah Leopard Tiger with Matching Ribbons

11pc I Totally Love 80’s Balloon Bouquet Happy Birthday Neon Party Theme Boombox

Blacklight Party Balloons – Black with Neon Polka Dots that Glow in the Dark under Blacklight – 25 Pack of 11 inch Latex Balloons

80’s Value Pack Party Swirl Decorating Kit

Beistle 53410 I Love The 80’s Streamers 2 Piece, 7″ x 6′, Multicolored

Adorox Metallic Silver Gold Rainbow Photo Backdrop Foil Fringe Curtains Party Wedding Event Decoration (Metallic Rainbow)

Record Cutouts Rock and Roll Music Party Two Sided Decoration 30pcs 7 Inches

 

 

80’s Party Decorations: Mantel and Centerpiece Ideas

If the paint bucket spill look isn’t what you want for your tablescape or if you are looking for something to go on the mantel, I found this video that had some great ideas. Note: If you are going to make the vinyl bowls, they are not food safe!

I personally like the cassette tape vase. Here’s how they are made.

Items Needed For Cassette Tape Vase:

    • Tall, clear vase (Glass or plastic)

Koyal Wholesale 404341 6-Pack Cylinder Glass Vases, 4 by 24-Inch

    • Colorful beads or rocks

Acrylic Beads – 2000-Piece 6mm Loose Beads, Acrylic Round Beads, Acrylic Spacers, for Accessories Bracelets Necklaces Jewelry Making, Art Craft DIY, 12 Assorted Colors, 0.24 Inches Diameter

    • Old cassette tapes (or new if you can’t find any)

Maxell 108575 Optimally Designed for Voice Recording Brick Packs with Low Noise Surface – 90 Minute Audio Cassettes, 7 Tapes Per Pack

    • 80’s Colored spray paint

Rust-Oleum 327885 American Accents Spray Paint, 12 oz, Gloss Candy Pink

Directions:

  • Paint the cassettes in various colors
  • Fill vase to desired height with beads or stones
  • Stack painted tapes in however you’d like

 

This is so simple. It’s so cute, you could even use it for everyday decoration too. I can hear my children now, “Mom, what are thoooooose?” lol

80s Party Decoration Ideas for Front door/ Porch

Arcade theme-

I’m totally digging these 80’s arcade machine cut outs. I would do one of these on the front door.

80’s Colour Golden Age Video Arcade Game Life Size Cardboard Cutout SC1025
Place some fun signs around the outside of the house to add to the thematic nature of the arcade.

Blue Panda Video Game Sign Cutouts – 8-Pack Arcade Directional Signs Theme Party Decorations, Kids Birthday Party Favors on 350 GSM Cardstock Paper, 17 x 4 inches

Add other arcade themed items around the porch.
CHENXI LED Arcade Shop Open Sign Special Offer Graphics Ultra Bright Flashing 10 x19 Inch(48X25 cm) Store Signboard (48 X 25 cm, Arcade)

 

Line the walkways with fun LED lights- this will bring in the arcade feeling from the moment guests arrive to the house.

Bebrant LED Rope Lights Battery Operated String Lights-40Ft 120 LEDs 8 Modes Outdoor Waterproof Fairy Lights Dimmable/Timer with Remote for Garden Camping Party Decoration (Multi-Color)

I would also pick up different sized cardboard boxes and make large rubik’s cubes that can stack in any free space on the porch.

  • These can be easily made with 3 cardboard boxes- 12″ cube, 15″ cube and 20″ cube
  • Paint each side a different color
  • Use black duct tape or electrical tape to create the edges of the squares
  • Stack on of each other at different angles

80’s Party Decoration Ideas: Cotton Candy Maker

Bringing it back. Cotton candy is a great novelty item and the machines these days are inexpensive to buy, or you can rent one. By adding cute light up sticks, everyone will have a blast enjoying this retro treat!

Retro cotton candy machine for 80's party

Nostalgia PCM805 Hard & Sugar-Free Candy Cotton Candy Maker


8 Function LED Cotton Candy Glo Cones-Pack Of 10

Cotton Candy Express 3 Flavor Cotton Candy Sugar Pack with Cherry, Grape, Blue Raspberry, and 50 Paper Cones, 11-Ounce Jars

80’s Party Decoration Ideas: Themed Band80's new wave band for party

If you have the space, booking a themed band to play the night would be so much fun. Find a band that specializes in the classic 80’s music and recreate that awesome dance party from yesteryear!

I hope you enjoyed this fun 80’s Party Decoration ideas list! May your next gathering be an event to remember!

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Kim Anderson

Kim’s is the party planning, cupcake loving, celebration catalyst behind the Thrifty Little Mom Blog. Kim was a pro event planner for over 7 years before she became a full-time blogger. Kim is the author of: Live, Save, Spend, Repeat: The Life You Want with the Money You Have. She’s been featured on Time.com, Money.com, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Day and more! Kim aims to inspire you to create parties, celebrations and gatherings that everyone loves!

Summary
20 Awesome 80s party decoration Ideas
Article Name
20 Awesome 80s party decoration Ideas
Description
If you are looking for a fun themed party idea, check out these great 80's party decorations and ideas from door to tables.
Author
Kim Anderson
Publisher Name
Thrifty Little Mom

Filed Under: Costume Party, Halloween, Party Themes By Decade

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