This is the last decade in our 10 Decades of Color and Design series, the 1990s. Ah, the 90s where we pulled out all the stops and decorated everything in layers of fabric and paint. Big floral patterned fabrics piled one upon the other and walls and furniture painted decoratively painted in shades not seen since the 60s.
Simple curtains and drapes became extravagant, festooned waterfalls of pattern and color. Solid colored sofas were recovered in cabbage roses and stripes. Not a surface was left bare, ceilings were embellished with bold ginghams, tabletops layered in tablecloths, and set with vases full of silk flowers. Knick knacks covered every available surface. Walls bordered in papered or painted designs. Mixing and matching colors and patterns and creating themed rooms was all the rage.
In the 90s, we threw subtlety out the window and indulged our homes in excess. Now we call it maximalism, in opposition to the minimalist looks popular in the first decades of this century.
The colors of the 1990s were a mixed bag. Blue, yellow, and red were a popular combination, sometimes used in soft shades, other times in bright primaries. To get the look, incorporate some blue and yellow, bring in some busy floral patterns, and make the most of your walls and ceilings by covering them with patterns. To recreate the look of the 1990s you need to think big and bold. Remember big hair and bigger shoulder pads? That look can be carried over to your home decor by adding oversized vases with tall grasses, bold floral patterns with large flowers printed atop multiple stripes in matching colors. Add a heavily pleated valance and sheers to your draperies in patterns that match your upholstered pieces. Alternately you can add pillows, tablecloths, or runners in matching fabrics.
A quick way to add a 90s vibe to your home is to stencil a floral border or sponge paint a wall. Adding a beaded curtain to a doorway and a rack of CDs will convince you that you never left the 90s and your bestie is calling, better pick up that Snoopy phone before she hangs up!
Get the Look of the 1990s:
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Notes: Head to 90s fashion.com to see some of the trends from the last decade of the 20th Century. Better Homes and Gardens has a great article on 1990s home decor.
We’ve reached the end, this is the last post in our series 10 Decades of Color and Design. Drop us a note to let us know which decade inspires your own decor.
