Simple Steps to Modernize the 1990s Home
If you’re like many of my clients these days, you’re also saying…
I need ideas to update my 90s home!
Some 1990s-era homes truly need a complete overhaul to start fresh. But a major renovation isn’t always necessary. In fact, 90s oak can be salvaged. And if your woodwork and cabinetry is high quality and in great shape, it’s worth hanging onto. The key is to create balance and mix the old with the new. A perfectly curated and modernized space with just a touch of 90s style has the potential to feel warm and inviting. Have a budget-friendly design goal in mind? Well, simple fixes just might be your ticket to a stylish haven. Read on for our list of ideas to update your 90s home. You’ll be ready to tackle it all before you know it. (No extensive renovations required!)
Step #1: Eliminate Any Surrounding 90s Vibes
One of the main problems with a 1990s-style home is the fact that it’s got the decade on every surface. Cringe-worthy decor decisions (sponge painting trend, we’re looking at you) are everywhere you look. So, walking into a 90s home is without a doubt a walk back in time. And when you look at it all at a glance, it can feel overwhelming. But don’t ditch that honey oak trim or cabinetry just yet. The first step to deciding if it has staying potential is to ditch any surrounding 90s vibes first. Get rid of the obvious and easy-to-fix style bits surrounding your oak (think paint, carpeting, fixtures, and more). Once you have the 90s pared down to just your oak, it’s honestly not so bad. It may even be quite pretty if you have the chance to see it on its own.
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Step #2: Create Contrast to Update the 90s Home
The oak finishes of the 90s can certainly vary in tone. But more often than not we tend to run into ultra-warm honey oak hues (think orange and yellow undertones). And of course, this isn’t inherently bad. Yet, when it’s surrounded by beige or earthy-tone walls and brown carpeting, it can feel pretty blah. So, we always recommend attacking the walls early on in the 90s-elimination stages. Go right ahead and paint over those dull colors and decades-old wall finish styles. You’d be surprised at how a fresh coat of a contrasting color – like a soft grey or a bold navy – can work wonders, and is one of our favorite ideas to update your 90s home.
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Step #3: Modernize Finishes to Update a 90s Home
Is there anything that screams 1990s more than an overload of shiny faux brass and oil-rubbed bronze? We think not. So, it’s obvious that swapping out any fixtures, hardware, and faucets in these finishes is a must to update your 90s space. Hardware can be modernized in a snap. It’s an easy DIY fix you can do with a simple set of tools. Lighting and faucets, on the other hand, are possible to DIY, but you may need a bit of help from the pros (especially if you’re not well-versed in plumbing or electrical work). But unless you need serious rerouting of anything, a simple swap out definitely won’t break the bank. And once it’s done? Well, it’ll transform that oak in a flash.
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Step #4: Cool it Off – Cool Colors to Compliment the Oak in the 90s Home
After you’ve finalized your wall paint and finishes, what’s next? Continue to cool things off with a complementary (cool) palette throughout the space. We’re talking about decor here, of course. So, when in doubt, choose rugs, furniture, accessories, and more that favor a cooler color scheme. Crisp bright whites, deep blues, modern blacks, and fresh, clean, greens can have a profound impact on the overall vibe of your space. By adding in elements that pop against your oak, its warmth can shine in a positive way as opposed to blending in with everything else around it.
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Have you always been a bit afraid of tearing out your home’s oak (especially if it’s in mint condition)? Dying for a modern upgrade, but aren’t ready to ditch every element of your home’s style? Then trust us. Incorporating each of these ideas to update your 90s home is guaranteed to give you the perfect solution for your troubles. You may realize that your oak isn’t quite so bad after all.
9 Responses
I’d love to see the finished result of the 90s era dining room! Great article.
Great article. How do you feel about refaced kitchen cabinetry? Like our backsplash and countertops but the honey oak cabinets need to go.
Hi Betsy, Absolutely! This is a great option if the cabinets are functioning properly and you aren’t changing the layout of the kitchen.
oak wainscoting in basement what to keep.
Putting in vinyl plank flooring. Do I match it or go with a light or dark viny plank wood flooring?
Hi Debbie – I would not match it but go with a LVP that has some of the warm tones that are in the oak wainscoting.
Do you have an “after” shot of the 1990’s kitchen with the terracotta wall color? This kitchen looks so much like mine!
Hi Carla – Yes! This whole project can be found in my portfolio. It is called “Lakefront Luxury” https://carlabast.com/portfolio/lakefront-luxury/
Oak kitchen from cabinets to the flooring with brass lighting-HELP me step out of the 90’s. Where do I begin to update it? The kitchen table is oak and the hutch is oak also.
Hi Sharon, There are so many ways to go with this, but what you are willing to invest is the first question. If you’re looking for fast cosmetic updates, start with wall paint colors and changing hardware and lighting. If you need design help – check out my Services Page > eDesign Services > Q & A Design Session!