How Winona Ryder’s ’90s Bedroom Channeled Chic Minimalism Before Quiet Luxury Took Over

Quiet luxury is dead, and '90s minimalism is replacing it. Influences like FX's Love Story, 'clean girl' culture, and uncertainty about the future are bringing the clean lines and pared-back color palettes of yesteryear back to the forefront. As opposed to the 'quiet luxury' look of 2020, this take on minimalism is more textured with vintage details scattered throughout. It rejects flatness.

Archival images of Winona Ryder's New York bedroom in 1994 are the perfect blueprint of '90s minimalism; they show a space that is unfussily minimalist, simultaneously lived-in and simple. Like the quintessential '90s cool girl, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, a well-executed version of this look is chic yet relaxed. Winona's bedroom embodies this balance with the visual cleanness of white bedding against a more organic light-wood bedside table. A red and cream vintage light adds a pop of color against the white walls. Her upholstered white headboard brings in a touch of plush comfort. The overall effect is cocooning but simple.

Luckily, tapping into '90s color trends in your own bedroom is as easy as Winona makes it look. Let's explore the new minimalism, starting with a glimpse into her space. Then, you'll find an edit of the best furnishings to emulate the style, expert commentary on the enduring appeal of 1990s minimalism, and advice on how to use it in your own bedroom.

Recreate Winona's Look at Home

Winona's look is made up of three simple parts: white bedding, a wooden bedside table, and a funky lamp. With variations of these three elements, you're well on your way to creating a bedroom just as chic as hers.

Carlin Van Noppen, bedroom design expert at Fig Linens and Home explains: '90s minimalism has enduring appeal because it combines the best of the quiet luxury trend with a bit more personality and warmth. People are fed up with generic-feeling spaces and are looking to the aesthetics of the past to bring back some texture into our lives and homes. Plus, it's still easy to find the pieces that create this look, from warm wood to clean-looking textiles; the design of this period is still very "now."'

One of the most notable features of Winona's bedroom is the white bedding, and this will always be the most timeless way to add light and airiness to a sleeping space according to experts. Carlin advises: 'If you are hoping to bring '90s minimalism into your bedroom, start with white bedding. It's timeless, easy to wash, and goes with everything. Plus, white doesn't need to mean personality free. You can choose white bedding with a slight print, as we see in Winona Ryder's space, or use decorative pillows to create a textural contrast.'

The minimalism of the 1990s is here to stay, elevating the beige and boucle that defined the first half of the 2020s. For the best inspiration, we're returning to the source with archival images from the actual 90s. Then, we can carry the best parts forward and leave the rest.