The 1980s were a time of bold colors, big hair, and even bigger DIY dreams. Fueled by a wave of self-reliance and crafty ambition, many people tried their hands at do-it-yourself projects that promised to save money or improve their lives. But let’s face it: not all of them turned out well. In fact, some DIY projects from the ’80s became legendary for their unintended disasters. Here are 13 outrageous DIY projects from the ’80s that often made things worse instead of better.
1. Macramé Plant Hangers
Macramé was everywhere in the ’80s, and plant hangers were the pinnacle of this knotted craft trend. The idea was simple: create an intricate web of cord to cradle your houseplants in a boho-chic style. But these DIY creations often ended up uneven, bulky, or too tight, suffocating the plants instead of helping them thrive.
Even worse, poorly tied macramé hangers sometimes gave way, sending pots crashing to the floor. While they looked great in magazines, many people’s attempts at this project turned into a tangle of knots and dead plants.
2. Popcorn Ceiling Touch-Ups
Popcorn ceilings were all the rage in the ’80s, but touching them up was a nightmare. DIY kits claimed you could easily patch the textured surface with a little spray-on solution. In reality, the patches rarely matched, leaving blotchy, uneven spots that made the ceiling look worse.
And let’s not forget the mess—tiny bits of texture would flake off, covering everything below. Popcorn ceiling touch-ups were the ultimate “leave it to the pros” project that many regret attempting themselves.
3. Homemade Beanbag Chairs
Beanbag chairs were a staple of ’80s teen rooms, and crafty parents thought making their own would be a fun and cost-effective solution. The result? Lumpy, uncomfortable chairs that leaked tiny Styrofoam pellets all over the house.
If you used cheap fabric or didn’t sew the seams properly, you were doomed to endless cleanup sessions. Store-bought beanbags weren’t perfect, but at least they didn’t turn your living room into a snowstorm of filler.
4. Concrete Patio DIY Kits
The dream of a backyard oasis inspired many homeowners to try installing their own concrete patios. But mixing and pouring concrete is no joke. DIYers often ended up with uneven surfaces, cracks, and puddling water every time it rained.
For those who underestimated the sheer weight of concrete, moving the wet mix into place was a backbreaking ordeal. What was supposed to be a weekend project turned into a permanent eyesore.
5. Wallpaper Borders
Wallpaper borders were a quick way to add flair to a room, and DIYers loved the idea of saving money by installing them without professional help. But the execution often left a lot to be desired. Crooked lines, bubbling wallpaper, and peeling edges were all-too-common outcomes.
And if you tried to remove or reposition the border? Good luck. The sticky residue was almost impossible to clean off, leaving walls looking worse than before you started.
6. DIY Acid-Washed Jeans
Acid-washed jeans were a fashion must-have in the ’80s, but buying them off the rack could be pricey. The DIY solution? Take a pair of regular jeans, splash them with bleach, and call it a day. Unfortunately, many at-home attempts went awry, leaving jeans unevenly bleached or full of holes.
Some even ruined their bathtubs or floors in the process, proving that not every trend is worth the hassle. DIY acid-washing was a gamble, and for many, it was one that didn’t pay off.
7. Homemade Cabbage Patch Kids
The Cabbage Patch Kids craze drove parents to extreme measures, including attempting to make their own versions of the coveted dolls. Using fabric scraps, yarn, and stuffing, these DIY knockoffs often looked more like terrifying caricatures than adorable collectibles.
While the effort was commendable, the results were often nightmare fuel. Homemade Cabbage Patch Kids became a cautionary tale about the limits of DIY crafting.
8. Bathroom Tile Reglazing
Reglazing bathroom tiles seemed like a cost-effective alternative to ripping them out and starting over. DIY kits promised a glossy, like-new finish, but they rarely delivered. The paint often peeled, discolored, or streaked, leaving bathrooms looking worse than when they started.
And if you didn’t ventilate properly during the process, you were in for a headache—literally. Reglazing tiles was one DIY project that often turned into a big regret.
9. Padded Fabric Walls
Padded fabric walls were seen as a way to add luxury and soundproofing to a room. The idea was to attach foam padding and fabric to your walls, creating a soft, tufted look. But the execution was rarely as elegant as it sounded.
Uneven padding, sagging fabric, and dust collection turned many DIY padded walls into a cleaning nightmare. Instead of luxury, the result often resembled a bad ’80s hotel lobby.
10. Duct Tape Repairs
The ’80s were practically the golden age of duct tape, with people using it to fix everything from furniture to cars. While duct tape was handy in a pinch, it was rarely a long-term solution. Seats patched with duct tape became sticky and uncomfortable, and outdoor repairs didn’t last through the first rainstorm.
The over-reliance on duct tape became a running joke, and for good reason—it was never meant to be a permanent fix, despite what many DIYers believed.
11. Home Hair Perms
The perm was the ultimate ’80s hairstyle, and at-home perm kits were a budget-friendly way to achieve those curls. But the process was tricky, and many DIY attempts ended in disaster. Over-processed hair turned frizzy or even broke off entirely, leaving aspiring fashionistas with unintended ’dos.
For those who braved the smell of the chemicals and the risk of failure, the results were often not worth the savings. Perming was best left to the professionals, a lesson learned the hard way by many.
12. DIY Waterbeds
Waterbeds were the epitome of cool in the ’80s, and some adventurous souls decided to build their own. Filling a homemade mattress with water was no easy task, and leaks were a constant risk. One wrong move, and you could flood your entire bedroom.
Even when they worked, DIY waterbeds often lacked proper support, making them uncomfortable and prone to sagging. For all their allure, waterbeds were a perfect example of a project that looked better in theory than in practice.
13. Glow-in-the-Dark Ceilings
Kids loved glow-in-the-dark stars on their bedroom ceilings, and some parents took it a step further by painting entire ceilings with glow-in-the-dark paint. The idea sounded magical—until the uneven application turned ceilings into blotchy, radioactive-looking messes.
The paint often faded unevenly and was nearly impossible to remove without repainting the entire ceiling. Instead of creating a dreamy night sky, many DIYers ended up with a ceiling they couldn’t wait to cover up.
The DIY spirit of the ’80s was admirable, but these projects remind us that some things are better left to the professionals—or left undone altogether. From ruined jeans to botched home improvements, these outrageous attempts serve as hilarious (and occasionally painful) reminders of the limits of DIY ambition.
