Just like fashion, home trends are cyclical, an example being how paneling, stair runners and dado rails are back. We’ve recently seen a resurgence in Y2K décor among Gen-Z, harking back to the good old times, and as Homes Editor, I’m predicting the 90s is about to have its turn in the spotlight.
Dopamine decor is all about surrounding yourself with feel-good items and I have very fond memories of Saturday afternoons spent reorganising my bedroom in the late 90s, surrounded by boyband posters, a hammock full of TY Beanie Babies and a bookshelf brimming with Jacqueline Wilson books. I distinctly remember my room and my friends’ rooms having a lot more colour than we see now. I originally had yellow walls that I was thrilled to have upgraded to ‘grown up’ Groovy Chick purple.
I was born in 1991, so I was a youngster in the 90s, and I was very jealous of iconic items in my older brother’s room, like his blue blow-up chair and glow-in-the-dark stars on his ceiling. If, like me, you also grew up during this golden era of bedroom decor, you will definitely remember some of these iconic items…
A bedside table must in the 90s
Lava lamps
When 60s culture had a comeback in the 90s, lava lamps were at the forefront of every pre-teen or teen’s bedroom wishlist. The general rule was, the brighter the better! I would love to see them return as a mindfulness tool as they are so zen.
The best character bedding of the era
Groovy Chick bedding
Anything Groovy Chick was a 90s hit, and the full bedding ensemble teamed with fairy lights on your headboard was the epitome of chic. This childhood interior trend continued well into the early noughties. In 2024, Primark even brought out an entire Groovy Chick clothes line.
Everyone was obsessed with inflatable furniture
Blow-up chairs
As I’ve already mentioned, I was incredibly envious of my brother’s blow-up chair, despite the fact that it was uncomfortable and rather squeaky. If you had room for an inflatable sofa, even better! I also had a DIY blow-up backpack with retro squares, and it was amazing.
Butterfly chairs are also practical
Butterfly chairs
HELLO!’s Editor Jessica Callan fondly remembers her portable butterfly chair, which could easily be repositioned around the room (ideally next to your television/VHS combo). Here’s one styled up in the modern day, proving it is comeback worthy.
90s kids loved decorating with posters
Magazine posters on the wall
DIY artwork was fashioned out of centrefold posters inside favourite magazines such as Top of the Pops and Mizz. Quiet afternoons were spent carefully curating the blue-tacked posters when new band pictures landed. Think A1, NSYNC and Blue.
Pop music played on your player was peak 90s
A CD/tape player
Every 90s child had a stereo of some sort, but the Alba cassette and CD player was a cult classic, much loved by HELLO!’s Senior Designer Lauren Connolly. A NOW That’s What I Call Music! compilation was most likely to be playing on repeat.
Every household had a huge collection of VHS tapes
VHS tapes were invented in 1976, and by the 90s, they were commonplace in homes. An excitable trip to Blockbuster to rent a video was the highlight of the weekend, but until then, your well-used collection would do. HELLO!’s Deputy Online Editor, Sharnaz Shahid, remembers an abundance of Disney videos being prominent in her room. Other iconic vintage VHS tapes were Jurassic Park and Toy Story.
I’m genuinely going to look into getting a retro TV and VHS player combi so my son (who is two) can experience the exact joy of the 90s.
Did you have stars on your ceiling?
Glow-in-the-dark stars
My brother had an entire galaxy of stars on his Artex ceiling, making his room rather magical come nighttime. TV Writer Abby Allen was also one of the lucky ones to persuade her parents to decorate the fifth wall. “I was obsessed with the glow-in-the-dark stars you could stick on the ceiling! I think I had some dolphin ones as well,” she said.
A top-tier landline option
Transparent landline phone
A landline phone was a staple of every household, but a transparent one was the next level. The rainbow-coloured components could be seen visibly through the plastic casing for absolutely no reason other than, why not?
Bedroom entrances were a sensory experience
Beaded door curtain
Entering and exiting your bedroom became an opportunity to emulate a music video shoot with a beautiful, beaded curtain in the doorway. Website Editor, Kate Thomas, admits she channelled Britney Spears a few times with hers. We’ve already seen these creeping back in with bohemian decor, but instead of shiny colours, opt for grown up brown and cream hues.
Which items feature in your retro memories? Comment below!
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