Whether it's fashion or home design, it's guaranteed that styles of previous generations eventually make their way back into the mainstream. This year has seen the '70s and y2k at the forefront, but the '90s are close behind. (As Taylor Swift once said, "I come back stronger than a '90s trend.") Known as grungecore, get ahead of it by embracing the era in your living space.
A search on TikTok of grungebedroom turns up 2.6 million views, featuring a sea of black lights, concert posters, hanging vines, and unmade beds. Grungecore takes cues from the early '90s music and aesthetics popularized by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the edgy fashions of the era, and a growing disdain for materialism.
"The grunge home aesthetic is a darker and edgier aesthetic style depicted by neon lights, vinyl records, glitches, and the color black," head of interior design at Renowell Maria Snisar told Real Homes. "In grunge designs, creased paper pieces, 'broken' icons, torn images, and dirty stains are as popular as dirty textures and hand-drawn elements."
How to Apply Grungecore to Your Space
Incorporating grunge into your home creates a brooding, punk atmosphere—so if that feels true to your personality, it's worth looking into the style.
Start with textured walls, as they add an unfinished look to a room. Try raw plaster (no paint needed), concrete, or barn wood in its natural state. For finishing touches, casually tape or pin up vintage concert posters and dark-colored artwork.
Skip the pot lights and focus on task, decorative, and ambient lighting for a moody effect: Go for simple neon signs or dark lampshades for a more low-key feel. Keep your floors bare and utilitarian. And remember: the more distressed your furniture, the better.
Frequenting thrift stores and flea markets guarantees you'll find pieces reminiscent of the era—plus shopping secondhand stays true to the subculture's values. Look for items that have unfinished hems, trim, and seams. Upholstered sofas and chairs encourage a relaxed and laid-back place to hang out and listen to your favorite grunge bands (on a turntable, of course).
Don't be afraid of mixing patterns, but limit the colors you use—think beige, gray, taupe, and the ubiquitous black.
If you're intrigued by grungecore but aren't ready to transform your entire home, start with a smaller space—a den or extra bedroom—to experiment with how you feel about turning back time in your home.