90's Interior Design Trends That We Wish Would Come Back

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In the 90s, houses really felt like homes. Our homes were proudly lived in with and full with colours, knickknacks and all types of new gadgets.

The 90s was one of the best eras for interior design trends and with so many of the fashion trends coming back around, it won’t be long until these styles are in full swing again.

In this blog post, we explore the top 90’s interior design trends that we (kind of) wish would come back now.

1. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel was everywhere in the 1990s. From kitchen cabinet tops to furniture legs and kitchen back splashes, we truly couldn’t get enough of it. 

The thing about stainless steel is it is durable and low maintenance which means that it is going to last a long time which was a huge selling point in the 90s.

Whilst it’s not an interior design trend that I am obsessed with, I can certainly see the appeal.

Photo: House and Garden

2. Colour Blocking

This list of the top 1990s interior design trends wouldn’t be complete without colour blocking. 

Colour blocking is where solid blocks of colour were featured pretty much everywhere.

You would find walls painted one colour, furniture and home decor.

Primary colours were the main option of choice and this trend mainly kicked off after the 1980s fashion trend of colour blocking.

Although we definitely see this less nowadays, when done correctly it can still look pretty cool.

Photo: Love That Design

3. Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Anybody that lives in a house which was built in the 1990s that hasn't been refurbished probably still has the oak kitchen cabinets!

This style definitely looks outdated now but I do think it adds character to the home!

The wood was often a honey or golden colour and the countertops were often patterned.

This style has been avoided now though, with many new builds featuring black or white kitchen cabinets.

 

These show how you can use the 90's trend of oak cabinets and turn it into a modern triumph! Photos from Pure Wow.

4. Magnolia & Beige

Alongside primary colours, the main colour scheme was magnolia or beige.

And whilst there was a little bit of a decline in the early 2000s of this trend as people were opting for more colours, we have definitely seen a resurgence of beige interiors. 

Now everybody is opting for neutral tones to create a tranquil interior and I can’t see this trend going anywhere for a while.

If you are looking for some more inspiration, House and Garden have some great references of how to incorporate it into a modern interior. 

5. Bold Home Decor

Similar to the colours, bold coloured decor would be featured all around the home. 

This could be anything from your classic lava lamp to a hot pink bedside table. 

They often came in nostalgic obscure shapes and were made to draw attention. 

Neon decor was also nicely featured around the home which you would rarely see today!

If you do want to add some neon accents to bring back those 90's vibes, try adding a neon wall sign - they seem to be popular at the moment! Photo from Lucky Neon.

6. Floral Wallpaper

Next on this list of the best 90s interior design trends is floral wallpapers. 

Whilst we definitely do this in a much more subtle way back then, it was bold and proud!

These floral wallpaper would come in all different colours and would even cause a headache, in some cases! Yes, they were that intense.

We usually opt for more dainty patterns now but these wallpapers were fun at the time, right?

Does this bring back any memories? Photo from Hannah's Treasures. 

7. Patterned Carpets

Patterned carpets were everywhere during the 90s and they weren’t just your simple patterned style they were bright, colourful and intricate. 

This is one of those interior design trends that I really don’t think will ever come back, although I kind of have a soft spot for it! 

By the end of the 90s people were quickly transitioning to wooden floors and we haven't really looked back since.

 

Instead of a patterned carpet, why not try a patterned rug? Benuta has some amazing options. 

8. Pastels

Pastels were definitely popular when it came to bedrooms in the 90s with everything matching in the same pastel colour. 

You could find matching bed curtains and rugs that all had the same design. 

Although this 90s interior design trend is still around now, it is not what it used to be.

 

Elle Decor has some great inspiration on how to use pastel in a modern interior. Take inspo from the 90's and apply it to today's interior. 

Key Takeaways on 90's Interior Design Trends That We Loved

There’s all the top 90s interior design trends! 

From oak kitchen cabinets to colour blocking, the 90s was certainly a fun time!

Although we have massively leaned in too much more minimalistic design in our homes, I still could get on board with a few of these trends.

The 90s was the time where people cared far less about their home’s aesthetics and much more about including the things that they loved - which I think we should all take more inspiration from!

At The Boutique Handle Co, we have a selection of unique door handles and door knobs that you can add to your cabinets to add the final touch to your room. Make sure to check them out!