"Revival of '90s Wallpaper Styles: A Look at Their Comeback"
C'mon Back, '90s Wallpaper Trends!
Stepping into the hearts of the design enthusiasts once more, the wallpapers of yesteryears - those hailing from the '90s - are making a fierce comeback. Like a well-loved throwback tune, these patterns are finding their way back into our interiors, and we couldn't be happier. So, grab a cup of coffee, curl up on your placid chintz couch, and let's dive into the revived wallpaper trends that have found their second wind.
Hannah Reach, the brand manager for WallPops, identified some noticeable patterns that have carved out a niche for themselves in the zeitgeist. Growing up in the early 2000s, Hannah fondly remembers the remnants of the '90s that lingered in the background - Friends reruns, floral chintz couches at her grandma's, and the nostalgia-inducing pastel striped bedding. Similar charm, spiked with a fresh touch, is making a full-blown comeback in their best-selling prints.
Here are the timeless trends from the '90s that are making a strong presence in current decor:
- Sweet Cottage Florals
Remember the cottage-inspired design movement that sprawled like wildfire in the '90s? Delicate floral patterns were the unsung heroes of this style, which drew inspiration from American prairie and European Victorian prints. Today, this timeless style is picking up popularity again, with a contemporary twist.
"Shabby chic is having a renaissance, but the traditional pastel-heavy designs are giving way to updated color palettes and unexpected scales," says Amanda Both, design director at Tempaper & Co. However, it isn't just the pastel versions of romantic floral prints that are making a comeback; even these delicate patterns are finding their place in contemporary homes. To maintain a modern edge, pair these florals with sleek, minimalist furnishings and neutral accents.
- The New Age of Wallpaper Borders
Kitchy themed borders are out - but don't rush to rip off that wallpaper border just yet! In its place, designers are opting for monochromatic tone-on-tone patterns that offer visual interest and add an element of sophistication to any room. Interior designer Vamsha Shetty of Saffron Interiors is seeing designers incorporate these subtle, timeless patterns sparingly above picture rails, framing ceilings, or as architectural accents. This restrained use ensures that the borders feel like an intricate design element rather than an eyesore.
- Rattan and Wicker Come Full Circle
For those of you who still have lingering memories of large rattan and wicker furniture pieces, here's some good news: the textures that defined the '90s are making a comeback, albeit in a reimagined form. "The '90s love for wicker and rattan is influencing wallpaper, with subtle textures and patterns that evoke natural materials," says Hannah Reach of WallPops.
Not looking to adorn your walls in rattan? Fear not! Reach suggests adding wicker or rattan peel-and-stick wallpaper to furniture pieces like the back of a bookcase. This peel-and-stick treatment lets you savor the trend without leaving a permanent mark on your furniture - so go ahead and indulge your '90s side!
- Let the Metallics Shine
As we step into the modern era, one might wonder how gold and silver accents are finding themselves back in vogue. However, they're here to stay, particularly in wallpaper designs. As a nod to those gilded accents of the past, wallpapers with texture and restraint now reign supreme. interior designer Vamsha Shetty recommends exploring this trend in powder rooms by opting for designs that showcase subtle gold foil details and pairing them with brass fixtures.
- Graphic Geometrics Unleashed
Memphis style had its moment in the spotlight during the '80s and carried on well into the early '90s. With its bold geometric shapes in primary colors, Memphis style was a force to be reckoned with. While we're not exactly seeing primary colors take over interiors quite yet, we are witnessing neutral-colored versions of geometric shapes emerge via checkerboard patterns and stripes.
"The revitalized geometric patterns are adding a whimsical, statement-making appeal to any room while retaining a timeless charm," explains Amanda Both, design director at Tempaper & Co. "Mixing these designs with minimalist decor elements ensures that the end result reflects a perfect balance."
- Going for that Moody Feel
If you've been considering installing some bold, dark, and enigmatic wallpaper in your home, you're in luck! Interior designer Vamsha Shetty suggests leaning into this trend, especially with deep, saturated tones that were a staple in the '90s. These rich jewel tones in sapphire, emerald, and plum are now finding their place in contemporary interiors, elevating the ambiance with high drama and coziness.
With these '90s trends making a triumphant return, our living spaces are poised to be decorated with a delightful fusion of nostalgia and modernity. Spruce up your home by embracing the era that brought us Friends, grunge, and flannel - and revel in the way the patterns of yesterday seamlessly blend with the trends of today.
References:
[1] Enrichment Data: Current, '90s wallpaper trends gaining popularity include shabby chic florals, metallics and geometrics, deep, saturated tones, and graphic geometrics. Nostalgia is a driving force behind this resurgence.
- In the realm of home-and-garden and interior-design, shabby chic florals, reminiscent of the '90s, are gaining popularity once more, with a modern twist.
- As things stand in the world of interior walls and decorating, monochromatic tone-on-tone patterns have replaced kitschy themed borders, offering visual interest and sophistication.
- In line with the lifestyle trends of today, rattan and wicker textures, once iconic of the '90s, are making a comeback, subtly incorporated into contemporary wallpaper designs.
- In the current decor styles, metallic accents in wallpaper designs, echoing the gilded accents of the past, are adding a touch of texture and restraint to modern interiors.
- Geometric patterns, synonymous with the '80s and early '90s, are resurfacing in contemporary designs, albeit in neutral colors, lending a whimsical, statement-making allure to any room.
- For those seeking to create a moody feel in their homes, deep, saturated tones, once common in the '90s, are making a comeback, adding high drama and coziness to contemporary interiors.
