It’s not hard to see why styles and looks from the 1990s have lingered for decades. From beauty to fashion, the era was a mecca for stylish trends that continue to feel relevant today. But one area I never expected to see a resurgence of 1990s looks is home decor. Classic motifs that defined the decade are now influencing design trends in a major way. Everything from bold paint colors and accent walls to wicker and rattan furniture is back for a second run—and I, for one, couldn’t be more surprised.

As a kid in the 1990s, certain decor styles were as prevalent as denim and pizza. In the house I grew up in, we had a few rooms completely covered in wallpaper (my bedroom was one of them), and our dining room sported a custom yellow paint that fell somewhere between buttercream and canary. I even remember seeing wood-covered walls and wood-on-wood accents in friends’ homes.

While these looks may sound borderline tacky, they’re now among the top trends influencing decor styles today. As an adult on a journey to make my apartment feel homey, I find myself gravitating toward many of these 1990s-era details. Realizing their origin in the process has been a total “Freaky Friday” moment. How did 1990s furniture and decor make such a quiet comeback? Keep reading to find out.

The Rise of 1990s Decor

It’s no secret that the period between 1990 and 2000 was a special one. Even for those who didn’t experience it firsthand, revisiting the iconic looks can be exhilarating. In a 2024 Pinterest report, the platform noted that maximalist trends were taking over beauty and fashion, with 1990s looks driving search traffic. According to the report, “the 90s [and 2000s] were a time of innovation and experimentation in the beauty industry, with groundbreaking products and techniques that continue to influence modern trends.”

Though it took some time, interest in the era’s trends has trickled into other artistic lanes, including home decor. Kids from the 1990s are the grown-ups of today, creating and sharing lifestyle content centered around styling their homes. That said, the evolution of 1990s aesthetics into paint, decor, and furniture trends feels like a natural progression.

1990s Decor Trends, Modernized

Color Drenching and Wallpaper

One of the biggest trends to resurface from the 1990s is colorful wall coverings—specifically paint and wallpaper. While the shades and designs may have changed, the idea of drenching a room in a bold color or creating an accent wall with a fun print is just as prevalent now as it was in the early 1990s. The vibrant purple from Moesha’s bedroom has transitioned into deep eggplant and cassis tones. Even softer color palettes reference the nudes and brown shades that ruled the era’s makeup trends.

Wood Drenching

Much like bold wall color, wood-covered rooms—especially in basements and kitchens—were a staple in the 1990s. Today’s version is much sleeker but uses the same drenching technique to create a minimalist and earthy effect that feels warm and intentional.

Rattan Furniture

Rattan furniture, crafted from a specific type of palm, was a fixture in both beach rentals and cozy homes throughout the 1990s. Its easygoing look makes it perfect for the coastal-inspired trends gaining popularity today. While full rattan sofas or armchairs are less common now, the breezy woven texture is still widely used to accent living room and bedroom furniture.