1990s bedrooms: recreate iconic looks from the nostalgic nineties

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With Oasis confirmed for a momentous reunion tour in 2025 and Gen Z now donning slip dresses, tiny shoulder bags and kitten heels, it’s fair to say that the ‘90s are well and truly back.  

Whilst music and fashion from the 1990s have a strong visual identity, you may struggle to pinpoint exactly what ‘90s interior design refers to. And we don’t blame you. Read any home decor book and they’ll tell you the same thing: the ‘90s was not really known for its art and design. It was a real mixed bag.  

But who’s to say that’s a bad thing? In the ‘90s, inspiration was everywhere and individualism was at an all-time high, as seen in the totally contradictory interiors that homeowners experimented with.  

Looking to update your crib with a little nineties nostalgia? In this blog, we’ve cherry-picked our two favourite looks from this wonderfully eclectic interior design era and shared our tips on how to recreate them in your modern bedroom.  

Don’t worry, there’s not an inflatable chair in sight… 

No one does cosy interiors quite like the ‘90s filmmaker, Nora Ephron. In fact, the internet is so obsessed with her set design, seen in the likes of When Harry Met Sally…, You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle, that it has inspired a viral Instagram account, @noraephroninteriors, dedicated to cataloguing her signature style. This recent fascination has also sparked countless articles reporting on the cult following.  

So, what does it mean to have a “Nora Ephron home”? Well, think upholstered furniture, copious amounts of frilly cushions, and oodles of comfort. Here are our top tips on creating a bedroom that’s straight out of a 1990s romcom. Even Ephron herself would be envious… 

Embrace shabby chic 

When it comes to bedding, cosiness really is key. Opt for a pale yet warm-coloured duvet cover, such as soft pastel yellow, dusty pink or baby blue. If you want to introduce a pattern, consider a feminine floral or a cute gingham print, and add as many cushions as your heart desires. Don’t forget the extra blankets to level up your snug game in the winter, too! 

To nail the “shabby chic” look, contrast your comfy layers with an ornate metal bed frame. Just look how we’ve styled our Hatti Metal Bed Frame with quilted bedding and lots of cushions. You can almost picture Meg Ryan lounging here in her PJs…

Create a reading nook

Bookworms rejoice! Watch any Ephron movie and there will no doubt be a scene where a character is cosied up, reading. Take a leaf out of her book (pun intended) by installing some bookshelves in your bedroom.

Better yet, why not create a book wall to show off your carefully curated collection? Position an upholstered armchair, like our Vicenza Chair, next to your books and you’ve got yourself a ready-made reading nook.  

Not only does this design feature add bags of character, but it’s also an incredibly handy storage solution. Clever shelving units work especially well for those short on space; putting awkward corners of the room to good use and making low ceilings feel higher.  

Lamps, lamps and more lamps

The Nora Ephron rules for lighting are as follows:  

1.) You can never have enough table lamps in the home, even on the kitchen counter.  

2.) Use yellow bulbs to create a warm, inviting glow.  

3.) Don’t ever use the big light.  

When it comes to lighting up your bedroom, start by picking out the perfect lamps to sit on your bedside tables. Opt for a traditional base and a fabric lampshade, for a hint of elegance.  You could also consider a tall, standing lamp to add a glow to the corner of your room (or all four corners if you’re really going for it!).  

The 1990s saw the birth of another new aesthetic: minimalism. In contrast to the ‘90s romcom look, minimalism embraces clean lines, neutral colours and, as its name suggests, very minimal clutter! The best thing is that it creates an effortlessly sophisticated and timeless look. 

Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen the resurgence of simplicity, thanks to the rise of the ‘quiet luxury’ trend. Often defined as a new-age minimalism, ‘quiet luxury’ means investing in key pieces that are “low-key, but undeniably high-end.” Below are our top tips on taking the very best of ‘90s minimalism to give your bedroom a modest makeover… 

Don’t shy away from grey  

Unlike years gone by, minimalism brought in a new idea that it was fashionable to use monochromatic colour schemes. This meant that many bedrooms adopted a neutral vibe, with white or cream being the prominent colour. You might see accents of black or silver, but only in small doses. The ‘90s were also the first time we began our love affair with the colour grey. And it’s understandable why. Grey works in every room in the house, is easy to coordinate furniture, and doesn’t show dirt easily.  

Versatile grey beds were a hallmark of 1990s style, too. Not only are they gender-neutral, but they can be styled to suit any taste. Choose from a quilted grey headboard for a contemporary look or go for a grey sleigh bed for a more traditional feel. Our Francesca Ottoman Bed Frame is a great example of a modern grey bed with a padded headboard. Plus, grey beds can work for any season! Simply style the Francesca with crisp white bedsheets and a couple of silver throw cushions for a cool look in the summer, and swap to grey teddy sheets and extra throws for a snug winter bed.  

Use stainless steel and cool chrome

Cool metals, like stainless steel and chrome, were all the rage in the 1990s. Not only are cool metals durable and low maintenance, but they create a super contemporary look. Take our Quinn Chrome Metal Bed Frame which features a shiny chrome finish, a sure-fire way of creating an elegant statement in any bedroom. To style, dress your metal bed with some crisp white Egyptian Cotton bed sheets, and accessorise with a grey blanket and matching scatter cushions, for a simplistic yet chic look. 

Silver accents in the bedroom have resurfaced as a popular trend this year. So, if you don’t fancy going to the effort of switching all of your light fittings for stainless steel, why not make some easy changes by adding some silver accessories instead? Anything from silver trinkets to store jewellery on your dresser to silver photo frames on your windowsill will do the trick. Just divine! 

Keep it clean and simple

As we’ve established, minimalists like their homes neat, tidy and with very few knick-knacks. In the bedroom, surfaces are clear except for the essentials, and any accessories are carefully picked out to make a statement. Basically, the “less is more” philosophy applies in abundance here. 

To replicate this aesthetic, invest in one or two staple ornaments that you’re proud to show off. Items like coffee table books, large pillar candles and elegant vases are all great options. Not only does an organised bedroom look beautiful, but it can help you drift off into a more peaceful slumber.  

Need a helping hand? Check out our top tips on how to declutter your bedroom and keep it tidy.  

Come as you are

Design Lecturer, Corinne Quinn says, ‘the difficulty in pigeonholing one clean definition of ’90s interiors is arguably down to the era’s embodiment of individualism, freedom and self-expression.’ Nirvana’s hit song of the time sums this idea up perfectly: “Come as you are.” With this ethos, people felt free to express themselves creatively. The result? A decade of independent interior designers in every home! 

Passion for fashion

Fashion had a huge influence on culture in the 1990s. The upcoming Disney+ documentary, ‘In Vogue: The 90s,’ will examine how the era was the ‘birth of the supermodel, the prevalence of grunge, the irresistible glamour of Tom Ford’s Gucci, […] and the legacies of London-based renegades like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.’ Clothes, and in turn, interior design, was a way of presenting to the world how you’d like to be perceived.  

Pop culture

The ‘90s were the golden age of television, so it’s fair to say that we were heavily influenced by what we saw on the telly. Popular TV shows like Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Sex and the City all influenced interior design trends. Whether it was Monica’s purple apartment or Carrie’s walk-in wardrobe that you lusted after, there was something to take from every show.  

• Embrace the ‘90s cultural influences and choose a theme that resonates the most with you; whether it’s chic minimalism, cosy rom-com vibes or an edgy grunge look. 
• Use neutral colours like white, cream and grey to create a calming ambience.  
• Make use of cool metals like chrome and stainless steel for your bed frame and other fittings around the room. 
• Tap into the silver colour scheme trend and add some silver accessories for a classy, elegant look.  
• Channel your inner minimalism with sleek lines, monochrome colour schemes and understated accessories. Remember, less really is more!  
• Reading is cool! Use shelving to create a cosy reading nook in your bedroom.  
• Use table lamps to light up the room and create a warm, inviting ambience.