9 home decor choices Boomers make that instantly date their living room to 1995

I was scrolling through Zillow last week, looking at houses in my neighborhood, when I stumbled upon a listing that made me do a double-take. The place was immaculate, well-maintained, probably worth a fortune. But something felt off. The living room looked like it had been frozen in time, preserved like one of those historical displays at a museum.

It got me thinking about how our spaces reveal so much about us, often in ways we don't even realize. I've spent enough time in different homes, photographing interiors around Venice Beach and beyond, to notice patterns. And here's the thing: certain decor choices have a timestamp on them as clear as the date stamp on my old film camera.

This isn't about mocking anyone's taste. My grandmother's house still has many of these elements, and it's filled with warmth and memories. But if you're wondering why your living room feels stuck in the past, or you're trying to update your space, these are the telltale signs that scream mid-90s.

1) Wall-to-wall berber carpet in one neutral shade

Remember when every model home had that textured, loop-pile carpet in beige or taupe covering every square inch of floor space? That was the berber carpet revolution of the 90s.

The appeal made sense at the time. It was durable, it hid stains reasonably well, and it felt "fancy" compared to the shag carpets of previous decades. But wall-to-wall anything feels heavy and dated now.

These days, hardwood or engineered floors with area rugs give you flexibility and make spaces feel larger. You can change the look seasonally, and let's be honest, they're way easier to keep clean when you accidentally spill your oat milk latte.

If you're stuck with berber carpet, consider whether it's time for an update. Your feet (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.

2) Entertainment centers that could house a small family

Those massive oak or cherry wood entertainment centers were everywhere in the 90s. They had to be, because TVs were giant boxes that weighed as much as a small refrigerator.

I remember my parents had one that took up an entire wall. It had spaces for VHS tapes, CD collections, and those enormous speakers that flanked the TV. The whole setup probably cost thousands and required professional delivery.

Now? Our TVs are thin enough to mount on walls, and most of our media lives in the cloud. That hulking entertainment center just makes your living room feel cramped and stuck in the past.

A simple console or floating shelf does everything you need without dominating the room. Plus, you get that floor space back.

3) Brass fixtures on everything

Brass was the finish of choice in the 90s. Brass door handles, brass light fixtures, brass picture frames, brass fireplace screens. If it could be brass, it was brass.

The problem isn't brass itself. In fact, brass and other warm metals are making a comeback in more subtle, matte finishes. But that shiny, yellow-gold brass from the 90s? It ages the room instantly.

What made sense then looks garish now. We've moved toward mixed metals, matte black, brushed nickel, or unlacquered brass that develops a natural patina.

Swapping out brass fixtures is one of the quickest ways to modernize a space. It's like those small changes that have outsized impact, similar to how I learned that listening works better than preaching when it comes to lifestyle choices.

4) Vertical blinds on every window

Those vertical vinyl blinds were the default window treatment in the 90s, especially for sliding glass doors. They were practical, sure. They blocked light, they were relatively inexpensive, and they came in a variety of "exciting" colors like dusty mauve and hunter green.

But they also clattered every time someone walked by, collected dust like it was their job, and gave every room that office-waiting-room vibe.

Modern window treatments have come a long way. Cellular shades, plantation shutters, or even simple linen curtains create a softer, more intentional look. They also don't sound like you're rattling chains every time you want natural light.

If you still have vertical blinds, replacing them might feel like a small change, but the impact on your space is enormous.

5) Matching furniture sets that came as a package deal

Walk into any furniture store in 1995, and they'd sell you a complete living room set: matching sofa, loveseat, chair, and ottoman, all in the same fabric with the same wood trim. The sales pitch was convenience, and people bought it.

The result? Living rooms that looked like showrooms but lacked any personality or character.

These days, mixing and matching is not only acceptable, it's preferred. A vintage leather chair next to a modern sofa, a mix of wood tones, pieces collected over time rather than purchased all at once. That's what makes a space feel lived-in and authentic.

I've mentioned this before, but understanding that authenticity beats perfection applies to our homes just as much as it does to how we interact with people. Your living room should tell your story, not the furniture store's.

6) Dusty rose and hunter green color schemes

These two colors defined 90s interior design. Sometimes they appeared together, sometimes separately, but they were everywhere. Throw pillows, upholstery, wallpaper borders, you name it.

Color trends come and go, but these particular shades have a very specific timestamp. They evoke a certain era as clearly as shoulder pads and dial-up internet sounds.

Current color trends lean toward either bold, saturated hues or neutral palettes with texture. Terracotta, deep navy, sage green, warm grays. These feel fresh and current in ways that dusty rose simply doesn't.

If your living room is still rocking that mauve-and-forest-green combination, it might be time for a refresh. Paint is relatively inexpensive, and new throw pillows can completely transform a space.

7) Decorative plates displayed on walls

Collectible plates on wall mounts or plate rails were huge in the 90s. Sometimes they were souvenirs from trips, sometimes they were part of themed collections, sometimes they were just decorative.

The intention was to add visual interest and showcase personal style. But unless you're running a bed-and-breakfast in the English countryside, decorative plates on walls read as dated.

Modern wall decor tends toward art prints, photographs (I may be biased here), floating shelves with curated objects, or even bold wallpaper. These feel more intentional and less like you're trying to fill space.

I keep my vintage vinyl collection visible in my apartment, but it's displayed on shelves where I can actually use it, not mounted purely for decoration. Function and form working together always feels more current.

8) Floral patterns on major furniture pieces

Large-scale floral upholstery on sofas and chairs was inescapable in 90s living rooms. We're talking big, bold roses and vines covering entire pieces of furniture.

These patterns were meant to add elegance and sophistication. And maybe they did, at the time. But now they feel overwhelmingly busy and old-fashioned.

If you love florals, they work much better as accents. A floral throw pillow or a small chair in a modern botanical print keeps things fresh. But a full-sized sofa covered in cabbage roses? That's a time machine back to 1995.

Solid upholstery or subtle textures give you more flexibility to change your look with accessories rather than being locked into a very specific aesthetic.

9) Popcorn ceilings left untouched

Okay, technically popcorn ceilings predate the 90s, but they were still common in homes from that era, and many Boomers never bothered to remove them.

They were originally used to hide imperfections and dampen sound, but they collect dust, make rooms feel lower, and just look dated. Nobody is installing popcorn ceilings anymore, which tells you everything you need to know.

Removing or covering popcorn texture is more involved than swapping out light fixtures, but it makes an incredible difference. Smooth ceilings reflect light better and make spaces feel more modern and open.

If removal isn't in the budget, there are skim-coating options that can give you a smoother finish without the full demo process.

Conclusion

Here's the thing about dated decor: it doesn't mean your home isn't comfortable or that you need to chase every trend that comes along. My grandmother's house has several items on this list, and it's still my favorite place to visit because it's filled with love and memories.

But if you're looking to refresh your space or wondering why your living room feels stuck in the past, these elements are probably the culprit. The good news? Most of these updates are totally doable, and you don't have to tackle everything at once.

Start with one change. Swap the brass for brushed nickel. Replace those vertical blinds. Paint over the dusty rose. Small updates compound over time, creating spaces that feel current without losing your personal touch.

Your home should reflect who you are now, not who you were thirty years ago. And if you are still rocking that 1995 aesthetic intentionally? Well, vintage comes back around eventually.