12 Easy Ways To Bring The 90s Kitchen Aesthetic Into Your Home

Trends come and go when it comes to the heart of the home — our kitchens. And the one thing that you'll come to find out is that, over time, some of these old forgotten designs make a comeback. Therefore, hop on in because we're taking a blast to the style past by visiting a time period that you may remember quite fondly — the '90s. While there were many features that we never wanted to see again, there are quite a few stylish elements that you can easily incorporate into your modern cooking space. From oak cabinets to brick features, here are 12 easy ways to bring the '90s kitchen aesthetic into your home.

After the end of the '80s, home interior design steered clear of the maximalistic mindset and instead went into a simpler, functional zone. However, at the same time, people wanted to create a cozy living environment that brought them peace. They didn't want a straight-laced, sparkly new place; they wanted something familiar, classic, and timeless. When it comes to your '90s-inspired kitchen, remember to mix old and new elements together, whether that is through style ideas or vintage finds. While many of these projects can be accomplished on your own, don't be afraid to contact a professional, especially if the task requires a specific skillset, training, or tool. 

As one of the most durable kitchen countertops, granite was a top contender in this decade. There were two popular color choices — brown with igneous-rock or black. As a hardy option, it was a must-have for many homes and still is! The main difference is that you have way more choices of shades, including red, white, and beige in today's market, making it easy for you to bring this old-fashioned trend back to your contemporary home. Goodbye to the days of high gloss, when the finishes on granite countertops are now honed, leathered, or caressed.

With technology booming in the Internet Decade, things were also improving in the kitchen, like with the newly released side-by-side door refrigerators. When these kitchen essentials underwent this major upgrade at the end of the era, people loved the fact that it created extra, accessible freezer space, instead of the normal, small upper ice chest. Some modern additions you will see in these French-door fridges are automations, extra technical features, an extra freezer down below, and even secret compartments for ultimate storage.

Oak is one of the best wood options for your kitchen cabinets, so it is a no-brainer why it was the main pick for homeowners decades ago. Many of these oak colors ranged from light oak, light gold, and pumpkin orange, sometimes paired up with white door knobs. These light-hued cabinets were also usually combined with white appliances. While you don't want the bulky pick from years ago, go for sleek, flat-panel options with a lighter wood finish.

During this era, green kitchens were one of the flyest things you could have, and now you can bring them back. Any shade of green will work, whether you like a dark forest green or a springy light green. As a color that brings you a step closer to nature, it also provides balance and serenity into your cooking space. Add some balance by pairing it with white, brass, or gold fixtures and décor. What's great is that green kitchens are a timeless look that will continue to work for your space for years to come.

A sleek solution to maximize kitchen counter and seating space that was all over the '90s is a kitchen peninsula. To not confuse itself with an island, it is usually an attached counterspace rather than a free-standing one. In general, a kitchen from this time was either L or U-shaped with a peninsula attached. Adding one of these to your modern kitchen gives the space a more enclosed, cozy vibe with enough space to accommodate a family. It also can be an optimal pick for a smaller cooking area, since it produces extra storage space, workspace, and seating.

With the proper care, your timeless butcher block countertops can last you years. This countertop is also an eco-friendly option, made from your choice of natural wood. When celebrity chef, Julia Childs, showed the world her wooden countertops in the mid-1990s, houses all over the nation began to have this kitchen feature. Now, butcher block countertops are a versatile option in many homes that will work for whatever trend you prefer — even ten years from now. With so many options, you can't forget to find the best cabinet style that pairs well with butcher block countertops.

While the younger population was into everything grunge during this era, homemakers were on polar opposite sides enjoying the dusty rose and country blue color scheme that came with the charming country-chic look. There are many ways to incorporate this color combo, whether it is with paint, cabinets, kitchen supplies, linens, or décor. While it can be easy to go with the country vibe, you also can pair this with other styles and colors.

During this decade, many people hid kitchen cabinets and appliances with curtains. These fabric doors and appliances allow you to hide clutter, have easy access, and add visual interest to your space. Remember that these fabric coverings will not match a standard-size window; instead, you may need to remove the excess fabric or custom-order a set. Measure your space before purchasing or installing curtains. Think about the fabric, choosing a material that is easy to wash and will last you a long time. During installation, remember to follow all of the curtain rod instructions.

While you may think they're out of style, white appliances were all that and a bag of chips during the last decade of the 20th century. By this period, many people were looking for neutral colors, easily being able to match with other components; thus, came the installation of white ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, and stoves. These days, you can bring a modern touch by incorporating matte textures, technology, and gold, metallic hardware. White appliances also reflect light, making the room appear larger, and require less maintenance for cleaning smudges and fingerprints.

As a timeless glass trend, glass-front cabinets from the '90s are here to stay. But in this day and age, we are pairing these trendy openings with neutral cabinets to show off our dishes. These days, you can get creative with your glass-front door selections, opting for a funky design or a bold color, like pink, yellow, or red. Once you have the cabinet doors up, don't forget to strategically style them for everyone to see. The one thing you need to remember is that you'll need to thoroughly clean this space routinely with glass cleaner.

Incorporate industrial brick features from the '90s into your modern home. Instead of the classic red brick look, you need to integrate more lighter brick colors, like white or gray, to create a more open feel in this well-used space. This is an excellent choice for an accent wall or even as a backsplash, especially when you get creative with designs like herringbone or subway. Installing brick also integrates depth and texture, especially in a minimalistic kitchen.

A homey kitchen feature from this era was décor above the cabinets. Since many of these kitchen essentials didn't reach the ceiling, it left that space empty, which was perfect for displaying different trinkets and ornamental pieces. This is a great spot to also add holiday decorations. If you don't want to put anything up top, you can spruce up the dead space above your kitchen cabinets with a dazzling design idea — lights. Just remember that you'll need to continue cleaning this zone if you plan on having anything up there.