12 Decor Trends From the 1990s That You Didn't Know You Missed
Where did canopy beds go, anyway?
The era that brought forth grunge, Must-See TV, never-ending political, royal, and celeb scandals, along with a dot-com boom/bubble also was an unusual time for decorating. There were so many different kinds of trends going on at once, it's no wonder the '90s seem like kind of a blur. Here are just a few of the top looks of the decade that could be due for a comeback.
Canopy Beds
Where did canopy beds go, anyway? They filled bedrooms of both kids and adults (usually a four-poster without the frilly canopy) back in the '90s, then went away after the turn of the '00s.
Dark Green
Whether it was the classic hunter green of the early 90s or the acid hues of the mid-to-late 90s, green was one of many colors that defined the era. It wasn't uncommon to see a bold green in the kitchen, especially to paint the cabinets.
Wood Cabinets
When people weren't painting their cabinets, they were allowing the rustic wood grain to shine. They gave kitchens a cozy look that also went well with blue-and-white ceramic accents (always in style, in our opinion).
The Flea Market Look
The internet has never lost its love for "Friends," with Monica's place setting up unrealistic expectations of what New York City apartments could be for twenty-somethings for years. What was way more achievable was her eclectic decor, which was very much part of the mix-and-match vintage trend of the early-to-mid 90s.
The "Old World" Trend
Predominantly found in kitchens, the faux-aged finishes, copper accents, and farmhouse tables made everyone feel like they were in a kitchen in Provence. Though the French look has never quite gone out of fashion, what made this trend so '90s was the use of color — especially that (appropriately named) French blue.
Wood Beams
You could argue that they never went out, but the same "Old World" and "Flea Market" trend emphasized thin wood beams that brought character to often cookie-cutter spaces.
"Conservatory" Accents
Think: Wrought iron accessories, bistro sets, and other garden-inspired decor used indoors. Even if you didn't have a sunroom or conservatory, the creative re-use of these outdoor accents added so much charm.
Fearless Color
Well, we wouldn't go with a mustard-green-blue-and-pink scheme, but we do miss the era's spirited approach to color. Today, things feel a little bit boring with all of the neutrals that are "in" right now.
Blonde Wood
It seemed like nearly every sitcom that focused on city-dwelling professionals had at least one character that lived (or worked) in a lofty space filled with light wood. Inspired a bit by Scandinavian design, the blonde finishes really did help make rooms appear brighter and bigger.
Modern Silhouettes
Furniture got a little experimental in this decade, bringing new forms and perfecting old ones as well. The Parsons silhouette and more fanciful designs were in-demand at this '90s-era showroom.
Shabby Chic
Perhaps we wouldn't go so far as to put floral upholstery and white wicker together again, but we do miss the charming fabrics and overall romantic feel of the "Shabby Chic" mania that defined the late 90s.
Everything Zen
The very-today topics of minimalism and mindfulness would go hand-in-hand with the spare '90s "zen" interiors. The light-filled, spare designs have aged quite well.
Tented Ceilings Are Back—And Magical as Ever
Brigette Muller Is Here to Romanticize Your Rental
Bilal Rehman Wants You to Have Big Design Energy
Arvin Olano Is Over Basic Instagram Interiors
