Texas Homes Are Bringing Back These Iconic ’90s Décor Trends

The 1990s are making a major comeback in Texas homes, bringing with them a wave of nostalgia and fresh takes on once-popular design elements. Homeowners across the Lone Star State are embracing these retro vibes but with modern twists that make them feel current rather than dated.

From familiar textures to bold colors, these throwback trends are proving that everything old becomes new again.

1. Wallpaper Borders

Remember those strips of patterned paper that ran along the tops of walls? They’re popping up in Texas homes again, but with a sophisticated upgrade. Modern versions feature geometric patterns, metallic accents, and subtle textures instead of the cutesy country geese of yesteryear.

Designers are using these borders in unexpected places too. Think framing doorways, highlighting architectural features, or creating visual interest in hallways.

The best part? Today’s peel-and-stick options make them way easier to install and remove than their stubborn ’90s ancestors.

2. Glass Block Walls

Those translucent walls that let light through while maintaining privacy are staging a major comeback in Texas bathrooms and entryways. Updated versions feature colored or frosted glass options that create dramatic light patterns throughout the day.

Homeowners love how these blocks add texture without sacrificing brightness. Some designers are getting creative by using them as room dividers in open floor plans or as statement features in shower enclosures.

Unlike the chunky installations of the ’90s, today’s glass blocks come in various sizes and thicknesses for a more customized look.

3. Hunter Green Accents

This deep, rich shade that dominated ’90s homes has returned with a vengeance in Texas interiors. Now it’s showing up as an accent color rather than covering entire rooms. Kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, and accent walls are all perfect spots for this moody hue.

Hunter green pairs beautifully with the warm woods and natural elements popular in today’s homes. Many Texans are combining it with brass fixtures for a look that’s both nostalgic and fresh.

Unlike the overwhelming hunter-and-burgundy combo of the ’90s, today’s approach uses this color more sparingly for maximum impact.

4. Brass Fixtures And Hardware

Shiny brass doorknobs and faucets were everywhere in the ’90s before falling out of favor. Now they’re back in Texas homes with a warmer, more sophisticated finish. Unlacquered or aged brass offers a lived-in patina that feels both timeless and trendy.

The key difference? Today’s brass accents are paired with cleaner, more minimalist designs instead of the ornate detailing of decades past.

Mixing metals is also acceptable now, so that brass can coexist with stainless steel or matte black fixtures. Many homeowners are hunting vintage brass pieces at flea markets for authentic ’90s charm with real character.

5. Ruffled Curtains And Valances

Those frilly window treatments that once graced every ’90s home are making a surprising return in Texas. Don’t worry, they’ve had a major style upgrade! Today’s versions feature subtle gathers rather than excessive frills, and come in solid linens and cottons instead of busy floral prints.

The new approach focuses on texture rather than pattern. Designers are using these soft treatments to add warmth to modern farmhouse and transitional homes across the state.

A simple ruffled valance or curtain panel brings just enough nostalgia without veering into grandma territory, creating spaces that feel both fresh and familiar.

6. Oak Kitchen Cabinets

After years of white and gray dominating kitchen design, warm oak cabinets are making a triumphant return to Texas homes. Unlike the orange-tinted versions from the ’90s, today’s oak cabinets feature natural finishes that highlight the wood’s beautiful grain patterns.

Homeowners are embracing this trend for its warmth and durability. Many are keeping their original oak cabinets but updating them with modern hardware and countertops.

The honey tones work perfectly with today’s earthy color palettes and bring a cozy, inviting feel to kitchens that stark white simply can’t match.

7. Track Lighting

Those ceiling-mounted light systems we couldn’t escape in the ’90s are illuminating Texas homes once again. The chunky, utilitarian versions of yesteryear have evolved into sleek, architectural fixtures that serve as design statements.

Modern track lighting offers flexible solutions for Texas’s open floor plans. Adjustable heads can highlight artwork or architectural features, while LED technology makes them energy-efficient.

Black matte finishes and minimalist designs have replaced the chrome and brass of the past, giving this practical lighting solution a distinctly contemporary edge while maintaining that nostalgic connection.

8. Floral Sofas And Upholstery

Bold floral patterns are blooming again in Texas living rooms, but with a fresh approach. Instead of the small, busy patterns on dark backgrounds that defined ’90s florals, today’s versions feature oversized blooms in watercolor styles or abstract interpretations.

Texans are embracing these statement pieces as focal points in otherwise neutral rooms. A floral sofa or accent chair brings personality without overwhelming the space.

The modern take pairs these patterns with clean-lined furniture rather than the overstuffed silhouettes of the ’90s, creating a look that honors the past while feeling decidedly current.

9. Popcorn Ceilings

Yes, you read that right! That stippled ceiling texture everyone’s been scraping off for years is finding new fans in Texas, albeit with important updates. Modern versions use a much finer texture and deliberate application that feels intentional rather than outdated.

Some designers are applying textured finishes only to ceiling medallions or as borders, creating subtle interest overhead. Others are using it to improve acoustics in home theaters and music rooms.

The key difference? Today’s textured ceilings are painted in modern colors rather than the stark white of the ’90s, helping them blend seamlessly with contemporary interiors.

10. Arched Doorways And Niches

Those curved architectural details that defined ’90s home construction are having a major moment in Texas again. Arched doorways, windows, and wall niches add character and softness to today’s boxy, open-concept homes.

Builders are incorporating these graceful curves in more minimalist ways than their ’90s predecessors. Simple, clean arches without excessive molding or trim create elegant transitions between spaces.

Many homeowners are highlighting these features with contrasting paint colors or accent lighting, turning what was once a dated detail into a sophisticated focal point in modern Texas homes.

11. Terra Cotta Tile Floors

Those reddish-orange clay tiles that covered ’90s entryways and kitchens are stepping back into Texas homes. Modern installations feature larger formats and more natural, varied coloration than the uniform tiles of decades past.

Terra cotta’s earthy warmth complements today’s nature-inspired interiors perfectly. Designers are laying these tiles in contemporary patterns like herringbone or using them as feature floors in otherwise minimal spaces.

The material’s natural cooling properties make it especially practical for Texas’s hot climate, combining ’90s nostalgia with regional practicality in a way that feels authentic to the state’s design heritage.

12. Pastel Bathroom Tiles

Those soft pink, mint, and blue bathroom tiles we all remember from ’90s homes are making a colorful comeback across Texas. Instead of covering entire bathrooms, today’s approach uses these sweet hues more strategically as accent walls or shower niches.

Matte finishes have replaced the high-gloss versions of the past, giving these colors a more sophisticated feel. Many homeowners are salvaging vintage pastel tiles during renovations or seeking out new versions that capture that nostalgic vibe.

Paired with modern fixtures and clean white surfaces, these colored tiles add personality without creating a time-capsule bathroom.

13. Bean Bag Chairs And Inflatable Furniture

The ultimate ’90s casual seating options are bouncing back into Texas homes, especially in game rooms, kids’ spaces, and casual media areas. Today’s versions offer better support and more sophisticated upholstery options than their predecessors.

Modern bean bags come in structured designs with washable covers in leather, velvet, and performance fabrics. Inflatable furniture has evolved from those transparent neon pieces to sleek, matte-finished options that actually look like real furniture.

Texas families love these flexible seating options for their adaptability and the touch of playful nostalgia they bring to otherwise grown-up spaces.