Everything old is new again, which is a nice way of saying that if you hold onto your stuff long enough, it will eventually come back in style. This seems to be the case with home design, as trends from the 1990s are reappearing in modern spaces.
Before you recoil in memory of inflatable furniture and sponge-painted walls, rest assured, the 2020s version of 90s decor is a bit more refined.
Here are six trends finding their place in contemporary homes.
1. The Nancy Meyers Aesthetic
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You know the look even if you don’t know the name. It’s the comfortable, layered, and impossibly chic home from a beloved romantic comedy. These interiors feel personal and collected over time, featuring a mix of vintage and oak furniture, soft floral or gingham prints, and an overall lived-in quality.
The color palette is warm, leaning into beige-white tones that create a bright yet inviting atmosphere. This style prioritizes comfort and character over sterile perfection. It creates a space that feels like a genuine home, filled with books, textiles, and personal objects. It’s an antidote to the bare, impersonal look, offering a backdrop for real life to unfold.
2. Softer Color Palettes
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The ’90s had their share of bold colors, but the gentler side of the decade is what’s capturing attention now. This trend involves using muted and warm tones that feel both calming and cheerful. Think of colors like butter yellow, dusty blue, soft mauve, and pale sage green. These hues are replacing the stark grays and bright whites that have been popular, offering a more approachable and soothing environment.
These softer colors serve as a gentle backdrop that complements natural materials and a variety of decor styles. A pale yellow kitchen can feel sunny and welcoming, while a dusty blue bedroom can be a serene retreat. This shift toward more muted pastels allows for more creativity and warmth in spaces that were previously strictly neutral.
3. The Checkerboard Pattern
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The checkerboard pattern is a graphic and timeless design that has cycled in and out of fashion for centuries, and it had a major moment in the 90s. Today, it’s back in a big way, moving beyond the classic black-and-white vinyl floor. You can now find this pattern on backsplashes, area rugs, accent walls, and even on smaller decorative items like vases and throw pillows.
Its appeal lies in its simple, geometric boldness. A checkerboard pattern can ground a space, add a touch of visual interest, and work with both traditional and modern aesthetics. While the black-and-white version remains a classic choice, designers are also using variations with colored squares or more subtle, tone-on-tone combinations. It’s a versatile pattern that can be used to make a strong statement or add a subtle graphic element.
4. Stainless Steel and Chrome
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For a while, warmer metals like brass and copper dominated kitchen and bathroom design. Now, the cooler tones of stainless steel and chrome are making a definitive comeback, just as they did in the 90s. This trend extends beyond appliances to include countertops, range hoods, cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures, and furniture frames. The look is sleek, professional, and a little bit industrial.
The return to these metallic finishes is partly a reaction to the prevalence of warmer metals. Chrome and stainless steel offer a clean, crisp look that pairs well with a range of colors and materials. In a kitchen, stainless steel countertops and integrated sinks create a seamless and highly durable workspace. In a living room, a chrome-legged coffee table or floor lamp can add a touch of modern polish.
5. Square Tiles
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After years of subway tile dominance, the humble square tile is stepping back into the spotlight. In the 90s, square tiles were a standard in kitchens and bathrooms, often laid in a simple grid pattern. The modern interpretation embraces this simplicity but updates it with bold colors, glossy finishes, and contrasting grout.
A wall of glossy, colorful square tiles can become a focal point, while a floor of neutral squares provides a classic foundation. The grid layout feels organized and clean, offering a pleasing sense of order. This trend celebrates the beauty of a simple shape, proving that good design doesn’t need to be complicated.
6. Wicker and Rattan Furniture
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Wicker and rattan furniture were staples of 90s sunrooms and casual living areas, and they have returned as a way to add texture and a natural element to any room. This isn’t your grandma’s patio set; today’s wicker and rattan pieces feature more modern shapes and are being used throughout the house, from headboards and nightstands to accent chairs and coffee tables.
This trend brings a bit of the outdoors inside, adding warmth and an organic feel to a space. These materials are lightweight, which makes them easy to move around, and their woven texture provides visual interest. They work well within many design styles, including bohemian, coastal, and even more traditional looks. Pairing a rattan chair with a plush cushion or a wicker cabinet in a sleek living room creates a balanced and interesting look.
Finding Your 90s Groove
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Try adding throwback details one at a time: a checkerboard vase on the table, a dusty blue pillow on the sofa, or even a shiny bit of chrome in the kitchen. Mix pieces you already have with vintage finds, and don’t stress if it looks eclectic and maximalistic, comfort and personality are the only musts. Before long, your home will have a story that just happens to include a little 1990s flair.