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5 ’90s Home Decor Trends That are Making a Much-Needed Comeback

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Bringing back old trends is nothing new. When it comes to room decor, the popular aesthetic is constantly changing, but mixing old trends with new ones to create a nostalgic feel is always a safe bet. You’ve seen the touches of nature from the ‘70s reach your nightstand with succulents and the bold colors of the ‘80s become the color palette for a fun bedroom. The interior decorating style of the ’90s is making its way back up the totem pole — with band posters and loud accessories mixed with minimalism — creating today’s bedroom inspo. Whether you want to hop on the nostalgia bandwagon or just daydream about late 20th century decor, here are some ’90s trends that are making a comeback in the year 2021. 

Band posters

Over 20 years ago, the walls of any teenage girl’s bedroom would be papered with the faces of the Backstreet Boys or the Spice Girls. Today, posters of modern artists are placed on the walls to give a room an edgy mood. The faces of Khalid, Tyler the Creator and The Weeknd have replaced the popular bands of the ’90s. However, some might still opt for the same ’90s bands to bring a vintage feel to their bedroom. 

Posters are a great way to add life to a room without the commitment of wallpaper or paint. They add an element of fun, but if done properly, can make a room the perfect balance of edgy and simple for the groupie at heart. You can shop for posters of your favorite ‘90s artists as well as current musicians on websites like AllPosters, Redbubble and even Etsy.

Floral wallpaper

For those that aren’t scared of commitment, the ’90s trend of floral wallpaper is the perfect go-to to add color and life to a room that feels a little bit blah. This wallpaper makes for a great accent wall in a bathroom or laundry room. Or if you’re really adventurous — and don’t mind the somewhat dizzying effect of wall-to-wall patterns — it can be used to paper your entire bedroom. 

This ’90s trend can be made a bit more modern with updated patterns, but still gives off a whimsical feel. It brings any monotone room to life. Dip your toes into the wallpaper world with this rose gold wallpaper from Wayfair!

Neutrals 

Despite praising colors and liveliness, ’90s decor trends were big on minimalism. There’s no denying that neutrals have become a staple color palette for any room. Gray has been the neutral of choice lately, but the popular beige from the ’90s is starting to replace it as the number one neutral for any aesthetic. 

You can add beige and light peach tones to create a boho minimalist vibe, or add grays and whites to craft a classy facade. Neutrals paired with bright tones can help you curate a room that is lively, but isn’t touching the level of gaudy. To add neutrals to your bed, try this tan, textured quilt from Target ($59) or opt for just a hint with this artificial succulent set from Wayfair ($24).

Furry pillows

Textures play a key part in adding dimension to a plain room. In the bedroom or on a couch, accessorizing with some furry pillows can add texture to a simple environment. You don’t have to go as crazy as they did in the ’90s with extravagantly bright colors, but a simple pink or gray furry pillow can be a great accent piece to a simple color pallet. 

Furry pillows create a cozy environment that would make anyone want to jump onto the bed and snuggle up to watch a new Netflix show. They can even be mixed with luxe items to create a welcoming feel. Pair a textured pillow with a studded, modern couch to blur the lines of classy with comfortable. You can find textured pillows of all shapes and sizes at Dormify to pair with luxe items, such as this classy loveseat from WayFair. 

Brass accents

Forget silver and gold, brass fixtures from the ’90s are making a comeback. This quirky accent can be added to bathrooms and kitchens to add texture to the color palette. Having a more matte finish allows for a casual but classy look. Swap out your silver knobs for brass handles to add an exciting element to the room. Home Depot has its fair share of unique brass knobs and handles to choose from to spice up your kitchenware. Similarly, if you want to go the DIY route, pick up a lively color to paint over your old knobs to add a pop of color. 

From posters to textures, the ‘90s has made its mark in the home decor world. The resurgence of minimalism and pop of colors allows you to be your own creative genius at home. The decor of the ’90s fulfills the wishes of the groupies at heart, boho chic ladies and the minimalists. The ’90s has a spot in any aesthetic. Mix exciting wall patterns with neutrals to honor the ‘90s while giving it the 2021 flare. 

Hannah Tolley is a contributing writer under the Entertainment and Culture vertical. She covers entertainment releases, fan theories, pop culture news, and more. Aside from Her Campus, Hannah was also a member of the Florida State University (FSU) Her Campus team. During her time with the chapter, she served as a staff writer for three semesters, where she wrote biweekly pieces across campus, culture, and personal verticals. She also was a content editor for two semesters, where she led a team of 6+ writers and oversaw and edited their articles. Hannah was also an editorial intern for Her Campus during her spring and summer term of her second year in college. As an intern, she worked alongside the full-time edit team to curate timely and evergreen pieces across life, culture, career, and style verticals. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from FSU in May 2023, with a Bachelor of Science in Media/Communication Studies with a minor in English. When she's not dissecting the latest pop culture events, you can find her reading a cheesy romance novel or establishing parasocial relationships with fictional TV characters. She loves to rewatch her favorite shows (Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, and Friends) or spend the day going down a rabbit hole of reality dating shows.