Five Ways to Inexpensively Add the Best of ’90s Design to Your Home
Like any other era, the 90s are back to grace us with their nostalgic presence. Design trends come and go, but some make a comeback, and the ’90s aesthetic is no exception. If you’re looking to make the best of a decade without spending a fortune, here are some ideas to get you started.
Add some texture
In contrast to the strictness of modern minimalism, 90s minimalism is more about a relaxed atmosphere with comfort at its core. One way to achieve this effect is to add texture to a warm white palette. A textured rug ($127.48) or textured pillowcases ($12.74/pair) are affordable ways to bring in a bit of soft minimalism. If your existing furniture doesn’t fit into your ’90s interior design, you can also try a sofa cover ($69.99) to change the color of your sofa on a budget.
Choose earth tones
In the 90s, earthy, natural tones (and a lot of purple) were often used. Monochromatic palettes, as well as corals and natural greens, are a nostalgic ’90s design style that can be adopted for under $200. You can add an accent wall in earthy green ($43.98 per gallon) or paint trim or cabinet lining for a ’90s earth tones look. You can also try hanging coral print curtains ($38.99/pair) to give them an earthy ’90s vibe.
Wallpaper
Anyone who lived in the 90s remembers all the wallpaper. While some are not worth bringing back, some prints have potential in modern interiors. Try the floral wallpaper ($7.98/17.7″ x 78.7″ roll) for a ’90s vibe, or you can also opt for the striped pattern ($49.08/20.5″ roll inches by 33 feet). If you can’t cover the entire room, you can always cover one wall as an accent with a large format watercolor wall mural ($77.88/$69 for a 98-inch panel). Abstract watercolor patterns were popular in the ’90s, and a self-adhesive mural can bring that aesthetic to your space on a budget.
Use a checkerboard print
In the 90s, checkerboard print was popular in many ways. While you don’t need to go overboard with it, adding a bold black and white contrast can help you bring a ’90s vibe to your design theme. The trick to using a checkerboard print without overwhelming it is to keep the other colors within a black and white palette. You can add a checkerboard rug ($69.99) or paint an old countertop in a checkerboard pattern using black ($15.48/quart) and white ($17.48/quart) gloss enamel paint. To make the squares, you can measure them and use masking tape to mask off each color. If a black and white checkerboard isn’t your thing, you can also choose a neutral-toned checkerboard pattern instead ($30.99 for a 2-foot x 4.4-foot runner).
Add a vibrant multicolor print
Taking inspiration from the best colorful prints of the ’90s, you can pay homage to the decade without going overboard. Because high-contrast, multi-color prints can start to clash when they’re layered on top of each other, you can either embrace the clash or pull back with one or two statement pieces. A set of watercolor print throw pillows ($14.95 for a set of 4) can give you a taste of ’90s color—or you can opt for a few accent tables ($79.99) with a colorful print on top.