It's A Thing

14 Ways to Do Memphis Without Doing Memphis

You don’t have to commit to full-on maximalism to make a statement

April 12, 2021

Squiggles, bold colors, funky shapes. You’ve seen them everywhere, you know they’re a thing, but you can’t put a name to it. Well, let us solve that particular mystery for you: It’s Memphis Design, the colorful, maximalist movement that sent shock waves through 1980s modernism. Memphis is a style that to this day stops you in your tracks. The group’s asymmetrical furniture, outrageous patterns, and punchy colors joyously broke tradition and quickly became a playful symbol in pop culture, influencing the interior decor in Beetlejuice and, well, the entire squiggle-filled aesthetic of Saved by the Bell.

An iconic Ettore Sottsass lamp in the NYC home of collector Raquel Cayre.

Nicole Cohen

But you don’t have to go full-on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse to bring a similar pop of fun and rebellion into your domain. The ingredients for an energized, maximalist space can be in a few key pieces. Just as Memphis Design homed in on presenting objects in unexpected forms, you can add upholstered seating in graphic patterns; incorporate synthetic materials such as plastic laminate and terrazzo; pair together bright neon with primary and pastel colors; or add a few loud table-top accents that show off your creative brain.

From wacky vintage relics to pieces by contemporary designers making their mark on Memphis style, the 14 exuberant pieces we’ve rounded up here break the rules but are still objects you can incorporate into your space without making a radical departure from your comfort zone.

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1/14
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Memphis Style Tricolor Plastic Desk Lamp
$275
Chairish
If you’re like me, you see why I couldn’t help but show off this primary-colored lamp in the background of my Zoom meetings. My WFH setup can’t be a bore with this showstopper by my side.
2/14
Kartell Calice Vase
$410
Amazon
$365
2Modern
No better way to honor the legendary figure of Memphis Design than with a vase made in his honor. This Ettore Sottsass collection, manufactured by acclaimed Italian company Kartell, comes in five fabulous shades: red, pink, violet, lime green, and black.

3/14
Floppy Eggs
$40
Pon the Store
Artist Ryan Patrick Martin brings humor, geometric shapes, and fluorescent colors into most pieces he creates. This time, it’s wacky silicon eggs complete with a squiggle that slap onto any smooth surface. Please excuse me as I place a radical lime green egg onto every window, mirror, and fridge in my space.
4/14
Memphis Style Metal Squiggle Table Lamp With Acrylic Dome Shade
$1,250
Chairish
Want a bizarro accent to wake up your space? Look no further than this abstract metal lamp that is currently a favorite in the Instagram vintage seller world.

5/14
Closed Mondays Wave Shelving
$115
West Elm
With my space already maxed out on paintings and mirrors, this Brooklyn-designed shelving in wiggle form is next for me on this episode of How to Freshen Up My Bare Walls With Color. You bet I’ll be lining up my favorite wacky tchotchkes and air plants inside like they’re hard-won trophies.
6/14
Dusen Dusen River Coverlet Sets
$298
Bloomingdale's
Maybe you’re not ready to go full-color-blasted Memphis; this Dusen Dusen duvet serves up the fun and whimsy of the movement with some subtly for the best of both worlds.

7/14
Set of 4 Memphis Style Chairs
$571
Etsy
Memphis Design may first bring to mind primary colors, but I’m partial to another hue in the movement’s color wheel: a blue-green teal, as spotted on these two-tone chairs.
8/14
Rivel Wiggle in Pistachio Chip
$62
Yowie
Handmade in New York, this wiggle soap holder will elicit a side of joy with every wash. Plus, the wiggles actually have a purpose—they allow water to drain off so your soap can last longer.

9/14
Memphis Style Side Table, Circa 1980s
$1,800
1stDibs
If you want to seek out an iconic statement piece for your space, opt for a vintage accent table in the manner of Peter Shire, an original member of the Memphis Design Group.
10/14
Vida Resin Bookend
~~$25~~ $20
CB2
The 1980s collective worked with a variety of synthetic materials and unconventional forms. These bookends are both a statement shape and made of resin, checking off two key boxes.

11/14
Saskia Pomeroy Hanging Mobile
$108
Saskia Pomeroy
Mobiles are certainly still having a grown-up moment. This beautiful stainless-steel-and-acrylic piece has undeniably ’80s shapes. Plus, its iridescent quality reflects natural light around the room, like an unexpected disco ball.
12/14
Vintage Ikea Memphis Style Coat Rack
$110
Etsy
You’ve probably spotted this rare primary-colored Italian coat stand on the internet somewhere—it might just be the most playful vintage coat rack there is. This sturdy partner is made of bent metal to withstand gear, so don’t fear for any flimsy coat rack tumbles either.

13/14
Postmodern Metal Squiggle Chair
$850
Bi-Rite
Fellow squiggle seekers, look no further: This postmodern chair has both a sought-after shape and a primary red accent to bring in even more theatrics.
14/14
Seymour Lamp by Objects for Objects
$390
Bi-Rite
If incorporating squiggles into your bedroom is on the top of your design wishlist, look no further than this sculptural bedside piece, handmade in Los Angeles with scraps of artificial stone.