3 min readA snapshot of a home from the ‘90s evokes all sorts of feelings. Of simpler times, when ruffled loveseats and rooster kitchens reigned, when the only digital glow came from a boxy TV in the living room, when haphazard stacks of newspapers, books, and magazines doubled as decor.
It’s no wonder so many aesthetic details from the era have returned to the zeitgeist as people romanticize that slice of time. While some ‘90s decor details have made a full comeback, others risk dating your home. To help you find a balance, we’re highlighting the ‘90s trends you should let go of—plus one that’s absolutely worth a reintroduction.
Bulky Bedroom Sets
Lindsey Hanna, founder and principal designer of Lindsey Hanna Design, says many clients come to her team with full matching bedroom sets they’ve inherited from their parents (or purchased when they were first married.
“Unless you’re leaning super traditional, it’s really hard to make those pieces break away from that 1990s department store vibe,” Hanna says. Interior designer Sacha Jacq agrees, adding that some of these pieces are even incorporated as built-ins. “Everything matched. Absolutely everything,” Jacq says. “Now bedrooms are much more interesting when they feel collected.”
Tuscan Kitchens
From butter yellow to roosters galore, the ‘90s saw so many themed kitchens. Perhaps one of the most dated—and arguably cheesiest—was the Tuscan kitchen. “Think heavy glazed cabinetry, ornate corbels, tumbled stone backsplashes, sparkly granite, and lots of warm brown and gold tones in every part of the room,” Jacq says.
The materials on their own aren’t necessarily the problem, but rather the thought to use them all at once. Joseph Wood, senior designer at New England Design, agrees. He says it just feels exhausting. He notes, “It creates a chaotic visual hum, completely at odds with the calm, seamless surfaces driving modern design.”
Crafty Wall Finishes
From sponged paint to stencil work to faux textures, the ‘90s loved a wall that made you look twice. “Sponge painting was everywhere because, well, our moms discovered they could transform a room with a kitchen sponge and two cans of paint,” Wood says.
He says it was meant to mimic the warmth and texture of "Old-World" plaster, but the reality was often a questionable, blotchy wall. That’s not to say you can’t nod to these trends. In fact, right now we’re seeing a huge resurgence of faux finishes such as limewash and Venetian plaster, says interior designer Lindsey Crowley Interiors.
Wallpaper Borders
While wallpaper has found itself back in the design world’s good graces, wallpaper borders are decidedly outdated. “This was a border that ran along the ceiling and wall or the middle of a wall in a powder room or kitchen with cutesy, kitschy prints,” explains Vivian Robins of Arketa Design Studio.
“Wallpaper borders created an artificial break in a room’s architecture,” she says. “Thoughtful and intentional millwork, on the other hand, brings in character, charm and interest.”
Layered Window Treatments
A general throughline of ‘90s decor was a philosophy that more was always more, especially when it came to window treatments. “Balloon shades, frilly swags, jabots, rosettes with shiny brass hardware were the style then,” says Linda Weisberg of LW Interiors. “Now we’re seeing more tailored drapes and refined hardware finishes, like unlacquered brass and polished nickel.”
Robins says you can still enjoy some of that ‘90s-inspired volume with an updated design lens, like using a generous fabric, softly gathered linen, tie-backs, and tassels.
The ‘90s Trend Making a Comeback
Plenty of trends from the ‘90s have found their way back today: wallpaper, a ruffle here and there, the country-cottage kitchen. One that’s especially worth calling out right now—largely because it’s gaining more popularity by the day—is soft, curved furniture.
“Rounded sofas and barrel chairs soften all the hard lines in a room,” Robins says. “It makes a space feel more organic and inviting to step into, and adding chintz to these pieces can also bring in personality and pattern.”
Many are even incorporating pieces like this into the “sunken living room” aesthetic, which Wood calls a practical move for young families who need dedicated spaces that still feel connected to the rest of the room.
“By dropping the subfloor just a step or two, we can naturally trap the kids' toys and spatial clutter in one zone without building restrictive, light-blocking walls,” he explains.
Whether doing curved furniture at a large-scale or simply adding a rounded chair to a cozy corner, it’s a piece of the ‘90s you can enjoy without worrying about dating your space.
