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The ’90s are back, baby, and not just by way of your favorite TV reruns. Various home decor styles are also making their triumphant return. We asked a few interior designers to share their insights on the more popular retro trends they’re seeing in home design and decor.
Meet the Expert
- Jerome Bertuglia is owner of Prime Homes, Inc. in West Hartford, Connecticut.
- Matthew Coates is an architect at Coates Architecture + Interiors.
- Leigh Spicher is the National Director of Design Studios at Ashton Woods.
- Christiane Lemieux is a designer and founder of the modern luxury brand, Lemieux et Cie.
Lighter Finishes
“The 90s are making a strong comeback, with our clients drawn to lighter, breezier color palettes and natural textures,” says Jerome Bertuglia, owner of Prime Homes, Inc.
This includes light hardwood flooring like maple, ash, and white oak that are regaining popularity. For countertop finishes, he says quartz and granite remain popular, but homeowners are choosing the stone in white, beige, and gray instead of darker tones.
Home furnishings are also reflecting lighter, natural design choices, especially in the living room. You’ll be seeing more mixtures of rattan and wicker furniture with upholstered pieces in muted blues, grays, and tans.
“Exposed beams, natural linens, and seagrass rugs are also common requests,” Bertuglia says.
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Bold Colors and Patterns
The big, bold color palettes of the ‘90s are back for one reason, says Matthew Coates, an architect at Coates Architecture + Interiors: they’re fun. The bright, saturated colors and geometric patterns lent a “lively, youthful feel” to interiors back in the day, he says.
However, today’s designers are bringing them back with a bit more sophistication.
“Instead of neon everything, you’ll see pops of bold color or geometric shapes in a mostly neutral space, adding energy without overwhelming the room,” Coates says.
Plaid Walls and Rugs
More than just a nod to the ubiquitous flannel shirts in the ‘90s, plaid is back in a big way in home decor, says Leigh Spicher, National Director of Design Studios at Ashton Woods.
“Plaid is a classic that never goes away; however, it’s taking on new personalities recently,” she says.
While plaid was popular for certain regions (think mountain lodge chic) or seasons—hello, holiday buffalo plaid!—plaid patterns in pinks, purples, and greens are showing up wherever and whenever. In particular, plaid is popping up in wallpaper and decorative rugs—though we’d say a plaid throw pillow or blanket can’t hurt, either.
Glass Blocks in Floor Plans
Christiane Lemieux, designer and founder of modern luxury brand Lemieux et Cie, says glass blocks are back in interior design. Aside from the cool aesthetic, they could be a solution for those tiring of open-concept floor plans.
“Glass blocks, once a hallmark of ’90s homes, are being reimagined to add a modern touch with their ability to divide spaces while still allowing light to flow through,” she says, adding that she’s seeing them “all over” TikTok. “They give any room a cool, retro-futuristic vibe that’s both nostalgic and fresh.”
Statement Furniture
Being comfy at home is always in trend, but larger furnishings are back, says Lemieux.
“Think overstuffed sofas and statement armchairs that make a room feel luxurious and loungey,” she says.
If you want to add a signature piece of furniture without the signature price tag and especially without the heavy lifting, inflatable furniture has also bounced back from last century. In fact, the new Jelly Collection by JELL-O sold out in a flash—a testament to the desire for a fun and wildly colorful feel for comfy living spaces.
But if that look is too sweet for you, consider purchasing slip covers for your existing couch or sectional like many TikTokers have been doing.
White Appliances
Gina Fiorito / Getty Images
It used to be that if you saw white appliances in a real estate listing, you were looking at a kitchen in need of an update. That’s not always the case now. Stainless steel is a sleek look that isn’t for everyone, as seen by the uptick in white refrigerators and other appliances.
But these aren’t the same ‘90s appliances. Refrigerators in cool matte white with bronze hardware, for example, add a luxe look to kitchens. They blend seamlessly into all-white kitchens, of course, but they also provide a nice accent alongside cabinets and countertops of any color.
If it’s been a while since your home was updated, then it could be rocking the retro feel already. But if watching Friends and The Gilmore Girls has you nostalgic, consider incorporating some of these cozy comeback trends into your space.