The '90s Kitchen Feature More Homes Should Bring Back

The '90s was a simpler decade — a time before smart refrigerators and voice-controlled lighting. For one, there was a landline phone in the kitchen, and you did your household administration using pen and paper. While there may not be a big movement to revert back to physical checkbooks and paper billing statements, we may not want to totally overlook the simple brilliance of some past home staples. For instance, one design feature that will have you asking if '90s kitchen decor trends are coming back in style is the built-in kitchen desk. It might feel unnecessary, but hear us out: We think it deserves a serious comeback.

You could usually find one of these kitchen staples tucked into the corner of many kitchens throughout the decade. And the desk wasn't just decorative — it was practical, multifunctional, and surprisingly ahead of its time. Now more than ever, modern households are learning how to juggle working from home, remote learning, and everyday administration, all tasks that this under-appreciated design element can facilitate. In fact, there is no shortage of interior designers and DIYers online showing homeowners how to convert their old-fashioned kitchen desk into everything from a free-standing pantry to built-in cupboards and landing stations. Is the '90s built-in kitchen desk worth revisiting?

In the '90s, built-in kitchen desks were a home's command center, where people could pay bills, store important documents and recipes, organize busy family schedules, make grocery lists, and generally keep the household running smoothly. Kids had a place to spread out their textbooks to do homework while also being in earshot of whoever was cooking dinner. It was an age before digitization, and keeping track of paperwork was an essential part of the household routine, making the kitchen desk especially necessary.

It was an area of connection — a practical and accessible space for the entire family that blended seamlessly into the heart of the home. The feature has become less utilized in our modern world, where the tasks it was designed to accommodate have moved to smartphones and laptops. However, the needs for a central place to gather in the home and for designated, multi-functional workspaces haven't disappeared. In fact, you could argue that as our lives have become more digital, and often more chaotic, having a physical space grounding our daily routines is more valuable than ever. The built-in kitchen desk is one of the '90s kitchen trends that's starting to look surprisingly modern again.

Even in our modern, digital world, kitchens naturally collect clutter. From mail to keys, receipts to device chargers, so many items often end up on the counter. A designated kitchen desk can help rein in the chaos of a busy household. With a few carefully organized and labeled drawers, a charging station, pinboard, and a chair, it becomes a highly functional and surprisingly modern space. A kitchen desk can also double as a work area, especially when you don't want or need a dedicated home office. On top of these practical benefits, you can't underestimate the character a kitchen desk can add to your space. The feature breaks up long rows of cabinets and provides a cozy touch to a sometimes sterile area of your home.

The great thing about jumping back in time to incorporate this feature is that you don't need to commit to a full renovation to recreate it. In fact, it's an incredibly easy way to bring the '90s kitchen aesthetic into your home. If you have a kitchen corner or a run of shallow cabinets, you can create a modern kitchen desk breakout. Try choosing finishes that match or thoughtfully contrast with the aesthetic and colors of your existing kitchen cabinets. Find a desk that will fit seamlessly into any spare space you have, then focus on function. Look for a comfortable chair that you can tuck out of sight when it's not being used, some understated task light, and smart storage solutions that will make the space work well and look great.