28 Nostalgia Packed Home Decor Trends of the 90s - 90s Fashion World (2024)

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Last Updated on January 16, 2023

Do you remember the 90s? If you grew up in this era, you probably have fond memories of your childhood home.

If you’re looking to update your home using some nostalgia-packed, 90’s inspired home decor trends – look no further!

Here are some of our favourite styles, trends, and accessories, with something for every room!

Kitchen

Wood Cabinets

Modern kitchens with light, airy colours have been the norm for the last two decades. But could wood cabinets be making a comeback? It turns out 90s inspired pine wood cabinets don’t have to look outdated. Wood kitchen cabinets, when combined with neutralising quartz countertops, bright colours, a tile backsplash, and other modern touches create a timeless style.

Track Lighting

Track lighting was met with mixed reviews. But it was an easy way to illuminate an entire room without cluttering it with multiple lamps. In many 90s homes, these were a common sight.

In the 2020s, they might not still be the best or simplest way to brighten up the whole room – modern times have produced many alternatives – but it’s a style that’s likely to recreate your childhood and transform the room at a low cost.

White Countertops

In contrast with the decadent, garish colours of the 80s, the 90s paved the way for what would become a modern trend of minimalistic living and open plan spaces.

Kitchens became much less cluttered and simpler, with white and cream being the dominant colours for many – used for kitchen countertops, cupboards, and storage units, often alongside a brightly coloured feature wall. This has a simple elegance and flexible nature that appeals to the masses.

Friends Inspired Purple

Since it’s comeback on Netflix, Friends has become popular once more. When first aired in the early 90s, the show inspired viewers to copy the interior design of the popular show and introduce some decorating ideas.

Remember the purple cupboards? This was a big trend. Or for something a bit less in-your-face, try teaming other primary coloured cabinets with some retro furniture, cosy looking cushions and open shelving units.

Read: 21 Funky Furniture Popular in the 90s

Living Room

Wicker Furniture

Originally intended to be patio furniture, wicker pieces found their way indoors in the 1990s as they soared in popularity. This type of furniture brings back plenty of 90s nostalgia – and it might be time for it to make a comeback!

It can be paired up with the indoor plants and plant print, or other fun fabrics to create a great and unique style. If you’re looking for home decor trends inspired by the decade, this should definitely be on your go-to list!

Read: 5 Rugs from the 90s You Must Have

Plant Prints

Plant prints were a major trend in the 90s. Everything from plant print wallpaper, to cushions or tablecloths. It could range from more subtle designs like small leaves or flowers – but, of course, it can be really bold, too.

Whatever the design, plant designs were big in the 90s. And when teamed up with an otherwise plain looking room, it can be a winning choice, adding a splash of colour and personality into the decor.

Recliner Sofas

When recliner sofas were introduced in the 90s, we all thought they were a novelty item. But it looks like they’re here to stay – and it’s not hard to see why. Big, puffy recliners are so comfortable. There’s a reason they took over our living rooms at the time.

Now, these are available in many designs and sizes to suit any space. You can get them in armchairs or larger sofas, and in various colours. For the ultimate in home relaxation, you need one of these in your life!

Gallery Wall

In the 2020s, most of us store our photos online somewhere – most likely on social media. But, think back to the 90s and you’ll remember having to print out all your photos. However, this lost art is now making a comeback. Do you remember making photo collages for your wall?

Well, you can recreate this right now with a gallery wall. Simply print out pictures you love – it could be of family and friends, the beach, your favourite holidays, hobbies, or beautiful landscapes, and make them into your very own gallery wall.

Doorway Curtains

Do you remember doorway curtains? Turns out, they’ve been missed. This 90s inspired decor is making its way back into fashion. There are plenty to choose from, too. From homemade versions to bright beads, these are an awesome way to divide open plan spaces while, at the same time, being transported back to your childhood.

Home Office

Plastic Plants

We all know plants are a great way to brighten your office. In the 90s, everyone swapped their real flowers and trees for plastic ones – let’s leave the trees outside! Plastic plants were everywhere, giving a decadent, ornate feel.

Everything from huge palm trees and extravagant silk flowers, to pretend cactuses and plastic bouquets of flowers. You name the plant, there was a plastic version being sold somewhere!

Pastel Colours

Pastel’s were big in the 90s. And while this trend has dwindled since, pastels like ‘Millennial pink’ have been reignited in the last few years. Anyone that uses Pinterest for home decor ideas will tell you, right now, there’s tons of posts on egg blue, lilac, and mint green inspired designs. And this trend is set to continue.

The pastel trend is picking up steam, with millennials in particular, and it shows no sign of slowing. These calming tones will help create a peaceful environment – perfect for focus and concentration, and for getting more work done!

Clothespin Photo Display

If you’re looking for a better way to display your photos, why not try this 90s inspired trend – using clothespins to hang up photos. This is a chic decor idea that’s budget friendly and really brightens up your home.

If you want an extra retro appearance, why not try using black and white photos, instead of colour? If using this in an office, you can even adapt it to hang important reminders or notes to yourself. Exactly what you need in an office!

Stenciling

Stencilling was one of many design tricks used in the 90s. This paint technique, alongside others, was a versatile way of adding cute patterns to the walls.

There were lots of choices of patterns, words, and pictures to choose from – and this gives you a great chance to be creative! Simply paint your wall your preferred colour, then shop for a stencil you love (or try to make your own!) and get started.

Bathroom

Vanity Lighting

Hollywood style vanity lighting was huge in the 90s. If you grew up in this decorate it’s probably forever in your memory – having a mirror surrounded by big, unbelievably bright bulbs, making you feel like a movie star. This is a great way to add a touch of glamour to your bathroom design, and it’s actually really practical when you’re getting ready, too!

Damask Print

For many of us, a 90s home brings lots of mental images. And damask print is one of them. It was everywhere. Clothes, accessories, furniture…even on the bathroom walls! This is a trend that continued well after the new millenium, and into the following decade.. So, if you’re planning on decorating your house in a 1990s inspired style, this is a sure fire way to follow this trend.

Striped Wallpaper

Striped walls were a major trend in the 90s, and many bathrooms were home to striped wallpaper – usually in blue or green tones. You may not want to go all out with this. But, adding a feature wall based on this trend can create a design that’s different and really stands out.

Sponge Painting

The 90s saw everyone inventing new ways to spice up a room’s design. And the rise of sponge painting walls was one of them. If you grew up in this decade, you might remember this DIY trend – cutting up some sponges and dabbing them on the wall to create a trendy design.

It’s more forgiving than painting with a roller, it looks a bit more interesting, is suitable for any room of the house, and let’s face it, it’s really fun to do!

Colourful Accessories

Most modern bathrooms are light, clean and airy. This is great, but if you want to add a splash of colour and personality, you can use this 90s inspired trend of teaming your modern space with bright or interesting accessories.

You can buy things like towels, bath mats or shower curtains in bright colours or with fun patterns. Why not try a floral or unique abstract pattern inspired by the 90s?

Bedroom

Canopy Beds

What could be dreamier than a canopy bed? With draping fabric, frills, fairy lights, and shine, not only were these an amazing focal point to the room, they were gorgeous to look at and scream comfort and relaxation. The other great thing about this trend is that it can be adapted to suit your tastes – and, of course, to suit a more modern design.

For example, many of today’s designers use a sleek, minimal interpretation of this trend to create a truly elegant look. Team up with white sheets, two-tone artwork and a graphic pillow, and you’ve got a modern take on a classic, much loved design.

Beaded Wardrobe Curtains

For children – and many adults – of the 90s, having beaded curtains at the entrance of a wardrobe or closet was a common sight.

Whether it was wooden, deep, earthy tones, or bright plastic beads in pink, purple, blue, or another shade, these were a lively addition to many doorways. It’s a great way to separate spaces, and can be combined with modern trends to create a look that’s individual to you.

Inflatable Furniture

Inflatable furniture was created in the 1960s. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that they really became mainstream. Every kid had one in their bedroom! From chairs and large sofas to tables, these could be found in all kinds of colours, shapes and sizes.

Although they fell out of fashion after a while, they were such a hot trend and bring back so many memories. If you’re looking for a go-to piece, this is worth a look.

Primary Colours

With open-plan living and airy spaces being all the rage, it’s no wonder, then, that primary colours were popular in the 90s. Adding just a splash of colour to a room was a great way to be less boring. When used in the right way, red, yellow, and blue are wonderfully vibrant additions to any room and can help to liven up the space.

Huge Mirrors

Oversized mirrors were one of the go-to styles of the 90s. It’s a fantastic way to enhance the natural beauty and light in the room, creating a feeling of incredible spaciousness.Even the darkest, dingiest room could be improved with some giant mirrors.

In the 90s, this went as far as having floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the walls and even as wardrobe doors. Of course, you don’t need to take it to this extreme, and a large mirror in the corner is a great compromise.

Dining Room

Hunter Green

When it comes to 90s decor, who can forget Hunter green? Think jewel toned emerald green, alongside complementing shades like bronze or gold, burgundy, or dark wood furniture. It’s no surprise this trend has made a comeback in recent years.

This hit of the 90s was a popular shade in every room – from the living room to the bathtub. In 2020s, we’d recommend it for a dining room – use this shade in moderation, and pair with complementing tones and furniture.

Bold Patterns

Who can forget the bold patterns and crazy wallpapers? This was one of the interior design staples of the times, for sure.

Think monochrome or coloured stripes, southwestern Fresh Prince of Bel Air inspired patterns, flowers and plants, animal print patterns and bright paint shades that really pop out. Whatever you do, if you want to recreate this decade, be sure to have a feature wall with something bright, unique and vibrant.

Neon Signs

It wasn’t just clothing that was infused with neon colours, it was homes, too. People picked out luminous neon shades or lamps for different rooms in their house – like neon pink, yellow, green, blue, and more. And this included neon signs. It was common to have signs with slogans above a door or hanging from the wall.

Animal Prints

Animal prints were a big fashion trend in the 90s. It was everywhere! It’s hard to forget the zebra and leopard print clothes being showcased in fashion magazines and on the high street. But, it was a big decor trend, too.

When it comes to go-to home decor trends, animal prints are definitely on our list. When used in moderation, some animal printed textiles can be a great addition to any room.

Blonde Wood Floors

In the 2000s and 2010s, trends shifted away from the blonde wood floors of the 90s and towards dark hardwood or neutral carpets with modern skirting boards. Now, dark wood floors are often a showstopper – creating an extremely appealing, classy, chic finish.

However, blonde wood floors are so good in open-plan houses. If you think back to the 90s, you’ll remember the light, airy feel – it was immense! Designers are starting to utilise this design again right now, especially in contemporary designs. And it’s not hard to see why.