HomeHome Updates: Tips & IdeasHome Update Ideas6 Ideas to Update Your Outdated 1990s Home

6 Ideas to Update Your Outdated 1990s Home

Posted on March 1, 2024 by KylieMawdsley

How to Make a 1990s House Look More Modern

Have you been hankerin’ for floral window valances stuffed with plastic grocery bags for extra volume? Or maybe you want to update your home with rose-colored carpet and hunter-green walls topped off with a floral wallpaper border? And dare I mention sponge paint?

Ideas to update a 1990's bathroom or home, Kylie M INteriors before photo

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Oh, the ’90s. Not only did they result in some of the WORST decorative decisions, but they’ve also resulted in homeowners who 30 years later, need to take out a second mortgage to FIX all of those decorative disasters.

Ideas to update and modernize forest green carpet, tile, countertops and more

I mean, at the time, those choices were TRENDY, right? But that’s the problem when you decorate based on what’s TRENDY – it doesn’t always stay that way. Sure, you might happen on some timeless element that can stretch into the next few decades, but chances are – you’re going to have to do a small OR LARGE scale renovation to update your home for either personal use or resale.

So, today, we’re going to talk about a few ways to update your 1990s home and bring it into the 21st century. Now, because I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients, not ALL of these homes are necessarily 1990s, but they’ll still give you a general idea of what I’m talking about.

ideas and tips to update and modernize a 1990s home, granite, beige tile and more. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, diy advice

 

1. UPDATE ALL METAL FINISHES 

Brass is one of the FIRST signs of a home that was built or renovated in the ’90s. And while gold finishes have made a HUGE comeback, the lines tend to be cleaner, and even then, it too will have its time in the sun and will slowly fade away.

Entryway with Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray lightened, Revere Pewter painted doors, white trim, dark painting stair railing. White oak floors. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting

Updating all of the metal finishes in a home can be costly, as you can find this gleaming golden finish on MANY metal surfaces, such as:

  • door handles and hinges (as well as glass door inserts)
  • light fixtures
  • cabinet hardware
  • bathroom plumbing fixtures, including frames on shower doors
  • fireplace surrounds

 

Kylie M Interiors Edesign, powder room with dark gray hexagon tile floor, green painted vanity, gold brass accents, fixtures, mirror. LG Minuet quartz white countertop

This shows the more modern, trendy side of brass/bold, but I bet within five years it’ll be gone! 

So, where do you start?

PICK YOUR NEW METAL FINISH

While the pros can do some great mixing & matching, when it comes to the everyday homeowner, there are some things I wouldn’t play around with – including brass or gold with any type of nickel finish. Sure, people do it, but a) their homes are often carefully curated to support this combo, and b) it’s still not always done well.

If you want to transition your home out of brass and into nickel/chrome, it’s best to do it a ROOM at a time, rather than per ‘product type’. Nickel and brass do NOT like to be partnered up in the same space (although others will disagree with me…and that’s okay).

Caesarstone bathroom countertop Bianco Drift with gray and greige tones. Maple vanity painted Benjamin Moore Metropolis. Kylie M Interiors E-design and Color Consulting

However, if you want to do things transitionally, you need a finish that can live in a room with brass for the short or long term, and here are some good combos…

  • Brass loves to be partnered with a black metal finish.
  • Some brass finishes accommodate an antique brass metal finish

Here’s a good starter guide. There can be a bit of room to move, depending on the style of your home. If you’re a newbie at all things decorating and design, tread carefully.

how to mix and match and coordinate metal finishes, what hardware goes together, black, gold, nickel, brass, oil rubbed bronze, Kylie M

If you want to do a finish/product at a time, rather than a ROOM at a time, I recommend the following updates (in order):

1. Door handles and hinges (you HAVE to do both). This should cost approx $50 per door

2. Cabinet hardware (approx $175 for the whole kitchen)

3. Key light fixtures (ie: dining/kitchen)

4. Plumbing

Let’s look at a brass-inspired example. If I had this bathroom in my home and didn’t want to fully update the whole shebang, here’s what I would do instead…

Updating ideas for home staging include taking out brass.KYlie M Interiors

1. Remove the shower door entirely, fill any screw holes.

2. Add a hotel-style shower curtain rod and a nice shower curtain – I would be killing the etched glass and brass for under $100.

3. Remove the hotel-style towel holder and replace it with something less honky.

4. I’d paint the vanity.

5. The mirror is a tough one as those are often glued on with industrial adhesive. I might consider keeping the gold on the mirror and the cabinet hardware so that they have each other and then change the remaining brass products to an antique brass finish for a softer look or at least more modern gold/brass styling. Black can also work with the remaining brass, but black would be pretty harsh for this room.

6. Or, I’d go gung-ho and take the mirror down (patch walls and replace the mirror) and do the whole room in the metal finish I love the most (I’d shift to polished nickel or chrome).

The bathroom would look much more updated, without touching any of the EXPENSIVE surfaces, like the tile floor, vanity (other than painting it), countertop, or shower surround.

Look at this beauty below…

Budget friendly affordable bathroom update ideas. Painted vanity, home decor accents, shower curtain. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting and diy advice

A fresh and coordinated shower curtain, painted vanity, updated countertop, faucet, and mirror, and BOOM, it’s like a whole new space for a FRACTION of the cost of ripping it all out and starting from scratch.

Let’s look at another 1990s beauty that, unlike the above bathroom, HASN’T been touched in many moons…

Maple cabinets in bathroom before being updated with paint and countertop

Bathroom update, Benjamin Moore Classic Gray and Metropolis vanity, Bianco Drift quartz and gray subway tile by Kylie M Interiors

Check out the FULL project HERE

PICK YOUR STYLE

If you want something transitional that’s more likely to flex with the times, don’t choose a style that is committed to being either SUPER SLEEK or SUPER ORNATE. Simple lines, no muss no fuss.

Hallway with board and batten, painted interior doors and stair railing. West coast art by Ronei. Greige, gray palette. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consultant and diy blog

Original artwork by the talented Ronei (print available)

Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t choose a product with STYLE, it’s about not taking it TOO FAR or too committed. And while I do have a lifelong addiction to hearing myself talk, this blog post would be way too long if I hit on all of the above products. Instead, I’m going to hit on your Dad. JUST JOKING (I make Dad jokes to my friends all the time, it’s my favorite pastime). Really though, I’m going to focus on door handles I love, which range from classic and traditional to slightly more modern.

Listen to the BONES of your home and honor their needs – your 90s home might not be ready for a SUPER modern style.

Classic with a traditional vibe…

SCHLAGE CLASSIC DOOR HANDLE UPDATE A HOME

Schlage door handle HERE

A little bit curvy, a little bit classy (like me…well, curvy at least)…

SCHLAGE DOOR HANDLE UPDATE A HOME

Schlage door handle HERE

Modern and clean-lined, but still transitional…

DOOR HARDWARE TO UPDATE A 90S HOME

Sure-Loc Hardware HERE

 

2. UPDATE YOUR FRONT DOOR

Nothing sets the stage for what’s inside your home more than your front door – not just in COLOR, but in STYLE.

As shown in this next photo, 1990s front doors usually involve fiberglass, glass inserts, diamond-shaped detailing, and LOTS of brass. I can’t even begin to list the sins of this fugly entryway…

1990s entryway before being updated

With some paint color, decor, and some awesome glass inserts, this entryway looks ten times better. Same doors – new windows!

Entryway, Kylie M E-design, online color consultant. Benjamin Moore Steel Wool, Creamy, black interior front door, red and navy accents

Have a chair rail in one of your rooms? Learn how to deal with it HERE!

 

UPDATE THE GLASS INSERT IN YOUR DOOR (OR ADD ONE)

The window insert style you choose needs to relate to the window style on the rest of your home. So, unless your home happens to BE a Craftsman or mid-century modern style home that was built in the ’90s, don’t try to stretch your home into something that it’s not – make sure your window insert relates to the style of the rest of your home. 

For example, in this next photo, notice how the panes of the front door relate DIRECTLY to the style of panes in the windows. Well done, House of Blue Hues.

Exterior with gray shutters, warm gray siding (Revere Pewter) Charcoal Slate Navy blue front door and off-white trim. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, shutter colour

Jenn hired me to help her with a new color for her shutters as well as for her porch ceiling, but MAN did this home have some great bones in place already.

In this next photo, notice how the transitional window style SUITS the look of the support beams and Hardi-siding, nothing is overly styled or committed to a particular look/era, which goes for the door hardware as well.

Kylie M Interiors EDESIGN, exterior front door painted Sherwin Williams Iron Ore, trim Alabaster, siding Mink. With brick

 

PICK YOUR FRONT DOOR COLOR

The least expensive way to update any surface is with paint. Time and time again, I’m BLOWN away with the difference a few coats of paint can make – and the front door (inside and out) is NO exception (and I’m sure you can tell that I’m a bit of an ‘expressive talker’ by the number of bold words and italics I use, which also varies depending on how much wine I’ve had to drink).

Front door paint colour Sherwin Williams Night Owl with beige vinyl siding and white trim. Kylie M E-design

Exterior front door painted Sherwin Williams Still Water, Pure White and Polished Concrete, mid century house numbers. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consulting blog

Best paint color for exterior and front door. Classic French Gray siding, Extra White and Stillwater front door. Exterior paint colour, pavers. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consultant. DIY decorating ideas blog

But don’t pick just ANY old color, you need to choose a color that relates to the products on the exterior of your home. But for the sake of keeping this blog post under, oh, 4000 words or so, I’m going to refer you to a few great blog posts instead…

The Best Paint Colors to Update Your Front Door

The Best Paint Colors for the INSIDE of Your Front Door

 

3. UPDATE WOOD SURFACES THAT NEED PAINT

It should come as no surprise that painting outdated ’90s wood is a great way to update your home. But, I know not everyone (ahem, husbands) aren’t always on board. Why not?

IT’S WOOD, YOU CAN’T PAINT WOOD!’ 

Well, guess what Harold, it will STILL BE WOOD, it will just LOOK GOOD. And those who’ve been following me for a long time will know what I’m going to say next…

Kitchen cabinets painted Benjamin Moore Ballet White, glaze, Cedar Key walls, travertine tile floor , red orange brick walls. Island with wood top. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, client photo (3)

Just because it’s wood, doesn’t mean it’s good…

Seriously though, I’ve advised many clients over the years to not paint their gorgeous wood cabinets – oak, maple, and more. However, not all cabinets were created equally and you can actually lose MONETARY VALUE in your home by leaving things as is (if resale is a thought) or EMOTIONAL value if your wife is unhappy.

Ideas to update oak wood, maple or cherry kitchen cabinets with backsplash, hardware and more. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color advice blogger

While there are many wood surfaces from the ’90s, let’s focus on the kitchen – in particular, the cabinets. The most common cabinets other than thermofoil are oak, including golden oak, a pinkish pickled stain, cherry-red stain, a darker heavier brown, or maple cabinets.

 

oak kitchen before being remodelled and updated

But where do you even START? Right here…

 

PAINT, STAIN, OR REPLACE?

Before you do anything else, figure out a plan for your cabinets; whether you’re keeping them as they are, painting, staining, or replacing them. If you’re not sure WHAT to do, I have a fun and easy QUESTIONNAIRE here, which might point out a few things you haven’t thought about.

Oak kitchen cabinet update ideas before being painted white with island colour (3)

Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consultant. Painted oak cabinets, Sherwin Williams Panda white with green beige granite countertop, travertine tile backsplash. Kilim

Notice it’s the same countertop and backsplash tile! 

I also have some great blog posts that can help you choose the best color for your cabinets, should you decide to paint them…

How to Pick the Best Paint Color for Your Cabinets

The 4 Best White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets: Benjamin and Sherwin

The Best Floor Tiles to Update Forest Green Countertops

 

And on the topic of wood finishes, I want to touch on wood trims and staircases from the 90s, but they can be a whoooole blog post unto themselves (stay tuned).

 

4. HOW ABOUT THOSE OUTDATED COUNTERTOPS?

Whether for your kitchen or bathroom, the cost of a new countertop can be INSANE if you’re considering quartz or granite. However, there are some amazing laminate products out there that just might surprise you with how real they look! Check out this blog post here for a few of the most popular laminate countertops.

Laundry room mudroom with Formica laminate countertop Carrara Bianco, marble look. Pure White walls and cabinets. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour blogger

Bathroom countertop Formica calacatta marble laminate, hexagon tile and drop in vessel sink. Kylie M Interiors E-design

If you’re more of a quartz or granite lover, I have some great blog posts you’ll find helpful (but finish reading this blog post first).

The Best Quartz & Quartzite Countertops for Upcoming Warmer Trends

The 12 Best White & Off-White Quartz Countertops

And while you can do the backsplash first, if you’re planning on replacing your countertop in the next few years, I’d hang tight. It’s best to pick the countertop first and then coordinate the backsplash to it, rather than coordinating a new backsplash to your OLD countertop that’s going to be torn out. Chances are you’ll end up doing both in a few years if that’s the case.

hexagon subway tile backsplash. Maple cabinets painted Cloud White, soapstone formica countertops and gray quartz with kitchen decor

See this budget-friendly remodel HERE

If you have granite from the 1990s or early 2000s and want to make it look more updated, I have a great blog post for you… How to Update Your OUTDATED Granite Countertops

 

 

5. DON’T FIGHT THE CURVES

90s-style homes are well known for their curves (just like me, wink wink). Curved doorways, curved cupboard door profiles, curved alcoves, and CURVED windows. Oh, those curved windows.

Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground with travertine tile flooring in entryway. Kylie M Edesign, online paint consulting advice

The thing is, sometimes when you FIGHT something, you end up going against it, which can make it stand out a whole lot more. So, when it comes to some curves…

I’m more inclined to EMBRACE curves rather than AVOID them (which is why I also love my Lululemon leggings).

For example, let’s look at this dining room with its curved window…

Sherwin Williams Pavestone in dining room white wainscoting, arched window and tall ceiling. Kylie M Interiors E-design and online Decorating and colour consulting

NOTICE A FEW THINGS…

  • The chandelier has plenty of curves. You don’t need THIS much curvature, but rounded lines vs straight lines will help to nod toward the style of the window if you do it with a MODERN style chandelier in a modern finish.
  • The dining chairs have a rounded back vs a square back. Perfect.

Affordable Ways to Update Your 1990s Bathroom

4 Case Studies: Modernize Your 1990s Bathroom

6. OPEN UP A LITTLE

When it comes to opening up a 1990s layout, it can be easy if your walls aren’t load-bearing (I mean easy, ‘relatively speaking’) or NOT ALWAYS WORTH IT if they are load-bearing.

Before, this entryway and stairwell were closed off and made the home feel more like a townhouse than a 2500-square-foot detached home…

Before entryway, 2 storey foyer remodel with curved wall

Once we opened up the stairwell walls and replaced them with railings, it was like a WHOLE NEW HOME!

2 storey entryway, foyer and stairwell with wood and metal railing. Sherwin Williams Creamy and Benjamin Moore Steel Wool. Rounded railing

And from the top of the stairs (awesome blurry pic, I know)…

Entryway before remodel

After, the natural light was able to pour from top to bottom!

Curved landing at the top of the stairs with chandelier, golden doodle and Sherwin Williams Creamy by Kylie M INteriors

This next home had the typical separated dining room and kitchen…

Dining room and kitchen before removing wall

I apologize for the TRAGIC photo quality, this was before I bought my good camera…

Open concept dining and kitchen with wall removed. Cherry cabinets and island with granite. Kylie M interiors. 1990s home update ideas

So there you have it! But it doesn’t end there. I’m going to sum up some GENERAL UPDATE IDEAS that I would consider if I had a ‘typical 1990s home. This includes some of the above ideas and some new, more random thoughts to consider, too!

8 AFFORDABLE WAYS TO UPDATE A 1990S HOME

In order of importance (bang for buck)…

1. Update the metal finishes – doorknobs, hinges, cabinet hardware, light fixtures.

2. Remove any window coverings from the ’90s, none are worth keeping.

3. Update your front door in style/color.

4. Paint or restain the cabinets (READ MORE).

5. Countertops – laminate is the most affordable (READ MORE).

6. Update key faucets, including kitchen sink and bathroom sinks.

7. Update the fireplace (brass, surround, and mantel as needed – READ MORE).

8. THEN I would paint the walls.

Living room before with fireplace and sectional (5)

Living room, tan sectional sofa, cream trim and fireplace, dark wood flooring. Edgecomb Gray neutral by Benjamin Moore. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, diy online advice

And, of course, there’s flooring. However, it’s not a very budget-friendly project unless it’s a small space.

  • If the flooring is typical ’90s carpet, vinyl or tile, with pink, blue, or green tones, I would put it higher on the list, especially if it’s a small room like a bathroom or small entryway.
  • If it’s a typical 1990s oak, I won’t put it anywhere near the top of my to-do list as it’s WAY easier to work with than colored products.

 

READ MORE

Affordable Ways to Update Your 1990s Bathroom

4 Case Studies: Modernize Your 1990s Bathroom

8 Ideas to Make a Low Ceiling Look Higher

How to Paint a Room with a Chair or Dado Rail

Ideas to Update Your Wood Cabinets Without a Drop of Paint

Bathroom Update Ideas: High-End Ideas Low-End Prices

How to Deal with Popcorn or Textured Ceilings – Info You Need BEFORE You Scrape!

NEED HELP?

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE COLOR CONSULTING PACKAGES!

The best paint colors for your room. Benjamin and Sherwin. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consulting. Home Decorating and diiy ideas blogger.market

Chat soon,

Kylie M Interiors, decorating blog, e-design, online colour consulting expert. signature

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2021, AWESOMELY UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2024



Comments

  1. Loved this post! The before and after pics are jaw dropping gorgeous!
    Two questions: In a bathroom and kitchen, is it okay to mix satin nickel cabinet hardware, doorknobs and hinges with chrome plumbing fixtures? And in a small condo (700 sq ft), is it best NOT to paint the main interior door a contrasting colour? I’m leaning towards painting everything white. Thank you so much!

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Vicki, thank you!

      So yes, I would mix satin nickel and chrome plumbing. I mean, if i were doing everything from SCRATCH, I’d do one finish, but if I’m just updating some of the finishes I would totally keep the chrome (often on the bathtub/shower) and update other pieces to satin nickel (or polished nickel).

      As for the main interior door, I think it’s a GREAT idea as it can really define it and give it personality if it relates well to the colours in the rest of your home – TOTALLY!

      🙂 Kylie

  2. Love this post! We built our home in the early 2000’s and some of these 90’s traits creeped in. You have given me excellent ideas on ways to update ! Thank you! We hope to build again soon and have completely different ideas on what we want in a new home but I want to freshen up while we are still here and feel it would help when we go to sell. Now to bite the bullet and get started….

    1. Post
      Author

      You’re right, those early 2000’s homes can be borderline! I’m so glad you got some good ideas to update and check out some of the other linked blog posts too as there are some GREAT update ideas for things like you’re fireplace and bathroom too!

  3. Lovely ideas, especially the one about opening up. I think you are too harsh about the brass hardware, however. I am seeing lots of brass and bronze in new magazines and I think it is just beautiful. It’s warm and rich-looking to me.

    1. Post
      Author

      It’s true, it can be done very well, but it has to be on the right pieces in the right places :). It is so rich and warm!

  4. Great ideas for updating! Love this post! Just for curiosity what is your favorite metal or hardware color??

    1. Post
      Author

      Oooo, depends on what it’s on, but GENERALLY SPEAKING, black, just because it’s the most flexible and I’m a HUUUGE fan of contrast. If it weren’t for the contrast, then polished nickel is always sharp looking :).

        1. Post
          Author

          Hi Lynn! I think that a certain amount of black will always be classic. However, the full-scale commitment to it will definitely run its course, so I’d be cautious about overusing it for sure :). I think that general light fixtures and what not can look striking in black, as long as there’s some black in the decor. But black windows in and out or bathrooms with black fixtures/high contrast with white might not make it too long (even though I love it in some spaces!)

  5. My house was built in 2004. All the trim and doors are oak color. My husband wants to paint everything white. I don’t know which white to use. Can you help. The walls are a light beige

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Donna, it’s SO hard to know without knowing which beige is on your walls as well as all of the other fixed finishes like flooring, countertops and tiles! You’re welcome to check out my Online Consulting packages, in which case the 1 Room package would do this for you. 🙂

  6. Love the advice and illustrations! If you cannot remove shower doors (for an existing stand-up shower, for example) can you spray paint the brass parts?

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi again! I HAVE seen it done. I haven’t done it myself, but I would think you’d need a fiiiiiiine grit sandpaper to break up that shiny surface, so new paint can stick. I would use a HIGH ADHESION PRIMER and let it thoroughly dry and then some kind of paint that resist water – perhaps even boat paint? Also, paint can take up to 3 weeks to cure properly, especially on finishes like this, so make sure you give it time to tighten right up 🙂

  7. I’ve never left a comment on a blog post prior to this one. However, I really needed to express my gratitude in such a well organized, thoughtful and even entertaining post especially, about a subject that has caused frustration and demotivation in my home. Thank you for taking the time to write this! I feel that I have a starting point now where before all the needed changes felt so overwhelming. Thank you!

    1. Post
      Author
  8. Amazing ideas! My husband and I recently moved into a house that is a little bit outdated and we need to update quite a few things. We’re planning on starting with the kitchen and then renovating other parts of the house. Thanks for sharing your tips on house updates!

  9. You mentioned floral wallpaper borders at the beginning of this post (totally had that in my bedroom as a teen in the 90’s).
    What are your thoughts/feelings on wallpaper these days? How about wallpaper in an entryway instead of an accent wall paint color? Any particular textures or designs of wallpapers you tolerate more?

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