Trends are cyclical, and the ’90s are back in many ways—for example, we’re seeing a major resurgence in ’90s fashion.
However, when it comes to interior design, there are some ’90s-inspired trends that it seems we’ve retired for a reason. These looks, interior designers say, are ones that you should still plan to avoid if you want your space to appear as current and stylish as possible. Keep reading to learn which ’90s decor choices you’re better off simply remembering, rather than recreating.
Tiled Countertops
It’s safe to say that kitchen design has changed greatly since the ’90s. Gone are the bulky appliances and strangely-colored refrigerators. You also may remember seeing tiled countertops in your friends’ kitchens when growing up. This ’90s look is one that Tommy Landen Huerter, the founder of an eponymous design firm, recalls vividly but doesn’t wish to see again anytime soon.
“We left them behind for a reason,” he says. “They aren’t durable and they are so much more difficult to clean,” he says, referring to the prominent grout lines.
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Faux Florals and Greenery
If you’re going to bring plants into your home, go for it and be sure to make them real, Elissa Hall, the founder of EDH Interiors, recommends.
“I remember a lot of dusty, faux ivy in kitchens,” she says. “I’d suggest steering clear of faux plants, real greenery will bring more life to a space, and fake flowers often end up looking cheap.”
Not able to care for a full-on fiddle leaf fig? Plants such as succulents are easy to maintain over time and require little watering. If you insist on going the fake plant route, make sure that the ones you’re purchasing are ultra-convincing looking, and not plastic-looking. There are definitely some elevated-looking styles on the market that will fool your guests if styled right.
Giant Entertainment Centers
Remember going over to a friend’s house and being in awe of their supersized TV perched on top of a giant credenza? Such a setup is definitely something of the past, according to Hall.
Today, she explains, televisions aren’t as bulky, and as a result, we haven’t needed to purchase oversized entertainment centers to accommodate them.
These days, many people opt for slim TVs with a low profile and choose to mount televisions directly to the wall, oftentimes eliminating the need for media stands altogether. With the advent of luxe appliances like the Samsung Frame TV, which is designed to resemble a piece of art when turned off, it’s easy to blend electronics with everyday decor in a way that we never could have imagined in past decades.
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Wallpaper Borders
Wallpaper borders were everything in the ’90s. You might have spotted one in a nursery, primary bedroom, or bathroom.
However, Rebecca Ward, the founder of Rebecca Ward Design, advises that people today skip the border and instead go all in with regular wallpaper if they’re craving a dose of pattern. Ward explains how they often come off looking temporary and as an afterthought.
Not into the full-on wallpaper look and don’t know what to do instead? There are still plenty of nice looking ways to update your walls without making your space appear dated. Ward suggests opting for some nice crown molding or wood detailed to elevate your space.
Inflatable Furniture
Remember when plastic, inflatable chairs, and couches were all the rage? These funky-looking pieces were especially popular in kids’ and teenagers’ rooms as well as in basements and lounges. Again, this is a trend that had its time and place but is no longer in vogue, Ward notes.
“We’ve all experienced the challenges of inflatable mattresses—why would we want any other inflatable, plastic-y furniture items in our homes,” Ward says.
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