11 Color Palettes That Defined the '90s

Download Article

Toy collecting expert Eireann Kanzig shares which colors scream nineties nostalgia

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: January 28, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Iconic '90s Palettes

|

Why were they popular?

|

Why are they coming back?

|

Using '90s Colors Today

Ah, the 1990s—a nostalgic decade full of bold fashion choices, exciting new technology, and equally as vibrant and fun colors! If you’re longing for a simpler time, keep scrolling to see the iconic color palettes that defined the decade, with insight from toy collecting expert Eireann Kanzig and vintage clothing expert Daley Polner. Plus, we’ll explain why these colors are making a comeback and how you can use them in your fashion and design choices.

What colors were popular in the '90s?

Toy collecting expert Eireann Kanzig says that bold, bright, neon colors define the '90s. You can see them in toys, Lisa Frank designs, popular sitcoms like Saved by the Bell, and old Nickelodeon shows. Other popular palettes of the '90s include:

'90s grunge colors like black, dark purple, deep red, and navy blue.
Neutrals like coffee brown, cream, beige, and muted blue.
Retrofuturistic tech colors like gray, bright green, teal, and icy blue.
Cozy home decor colors like taupe, maroon, hunter green, and sage.

Section 1 of 4:

Iconic '90s Color Palettes

Download Article

1
'90s Retro Palette This scheme represents what '90s colors were all about—bold, bright, and saturated hues contrasted with muted, moody shades. The effect is a stimulating, nostalgic combo of colors that grabs your eye immediately.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Magenta Pink (#D1439E)
- Spicy Yellow (#F8E924)
- True Purple (#54276F)
- Sydney (#1DA5BE)
- Blue Pot (#131C5A)
- Lime Green (#38CD2C)
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Eireann Kanzig is a long-time toy collector with a passion for vintage and retro treasures and modern collectibles. She shares her collections on social media @toyextraordineire.

Daley Polner is a vintage clothing and upcycling expert and the founder of Love Loop Vintage, where she curates and resells Y2K and vintage fashion.
2
Neon '90s Palette When Kanzig thinks of the '90s, “[I] definitely think of neon…The brighter, the better. The more obnoxious, the better.”^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Eireann Kanzig
Toy Collecting Expert

Expert Interview} Whether it was colorful workout gear or kids’ toys, you couldn’t escape these vibrant hues during the optimistic '90s.
- Neon Purple (#CE00E0)
- Neon Magenta (#FF206E)
- Neon Orange (#FF8B33)
- Neon Yellow (#E1FF00)
- Neon Green (#0EFB22)
- Neon Blue (#00BBF9)
- Neon Aquamarine (#00F5D4)
Advertisement
3
Lisa Frank Palette Lisa Frank’s vibrant, nearly psychedelic designs had '90s kids in a chokehold. “I obviously think of Lisa Frank, because I mean, look at all that amazing stuff,” Kanzig says.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Eireann Kanzig
Toy Collecting Expert

Expert Interview} Similar to the neon palette, Lisa Frank’s work includes bright, vibrant colors set against slightly more muted purple and blue backdrops (and includes lots of stars, hearts, rainbows, and animals, too!).^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Lisa Frank Purple (#A032A6)^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Magenta Pink (#E9008D)
- Trendy Orange (#F6841B)
- Aureolin Yellow (#FCEA08)
- Refreshing Mint (#6EB63F)
- Vivid Cerulean (#05ADED)
4
Nickelodeon Palette If the words “slime time” immediately transport you to a simpler era colored with obnoxiously bright orange, purple, and slime green, then you were a true Nick kid! These energetic shades clash in the best, most playful way for a hit of '90s nostalgia.
- Nickelodeon Orange (#F57D0D)^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Slime Green (#1AB21C)
- Purple (#7F3FBF)
- Yellow (#FFD800)
- White (#FFFFFF)
5
'90s Grunge Palette “When I think of the '90s, I think of '90s grunge,” says vintage clothing and upcycling expert Daley Polner. “Velour, velvet, dark colors like maroon, dark purple, black, and anything kind of witchy” sums up this classic '90s vibe.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Daley Polner
Vintage Clothing & Upcycling Expert

Expert Interview}
- Deep Red (#8C001A)
- Forest Green (#2C5F2D)
- Navy Blue (#1F3A5F)
- Maroon (#800000)
- Mustard Yellow (#FFD95A)
- Dark Purple (#342754)
- Black (#000000)
6
'90s Tech Palette The '90s were a decade of huge technological advancements. Computers became more accessible, email and chat rooms were new and fun ways to connect, and online retailers emerged onto the scene. These colors capture the optimistic, innovative, futuristic attitude of the decade—the grays and beiges of early computers and web designs, plus the transparent and pastel colors that new gadgets like GameBoys and early Macs were housed in.
- Teal (#008080)
- Glacier (#6D9DC5)
- Beige (#F5F5DC)
- Gray (#808080)
- Black (#000000)
- Bright Green (#3FDE3F)
- Bright Orange (#FF5F1F)
- Dusty Rose (#C97B84)
7
'90s Neutrals Not everything was bright and bombastic in the '90s. Part of the nostalgia of the decade comes from the warm, homey, cozy colors that were popular in interior design (think of the coffee shop from Friends).
- Coffee Brown (#6F4E37)
- Beige (#F5F5DC)
- Sage Green (#9CAF88)
- Muted Blue (#6699CC)
- Burnt Orange (#CC5500)
- Goldenrod (#DAA520)
- Cream (#FDFBD4)
8
Nostalgic '90s Home Decor Palette These colors dominated home decor in the '90s. Whether it was wall paint, cabinets, accent pieces, or tiled designs, they evoke a sense of nostalgic comfort and warmth that’s coming back in style.
- Taupe (#483C32)
- Beige (#F5F5DC)
- Buttercream Yellow (#FCEDA4)
- Gold (#FFD700)
- Maroon (#800000)
- Burgundy (#800020)
- Hunter Green (#355E3B)
- Sage Green (#B2AC88)
- Terra Cotta (#CA6641)^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
9
Saved By The Bell Palette “I also think ofSaved by the Bell” when it comes to the '90s, Kanzig adds. “Right when the introduction happens, you have all these cool different '90s colors.”^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Eireann Kanzig
Toy Collecting Expert

Expert Interview} These bright hues and patterns were super popular with young people and made a big splash in pop culture.
- Hot Pink (#FF4190)
- Cyan (#4ECDC4)
- Yellow (#FFD93D)
- Purple (#8C51C1)
- Light Coral (#F08080)
- Retro Orange (#FC8D45)
10
'90s Muted Neon Palette Neon shades weren’t just for kids and toys in the '90s. Homes and office buildings used muted neons and earth tones to create a tastefully modern look full of pops of color (without getting too bold and vibrant).
- Plum (#8E4585)
- Moss Green (#8A9A5B)
- Burnt Orange (#CC5500)
- Steel Blue (#4682B4)
- Subtle Magenta (#C90076)
- Chathams Blue (#16537E)
11
TV Color Bars Palette We can’t talk about iconic '90s palettes without mentioning the immediately recognizable color combo of a TV screen on the fritz. These color bars, known officially as SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) color bars, were a reference used to calibrate analog TV screens to display the proper colors.^{[10]
X
Research source} Today, they’re a nostalgic nod to the '90s and decades past.
- White: #B4B4B4 or #C0C0C0
- Yellow: #A8A82C
- Cyan: #2CACA8
- Green: #2C882C
- Magenta: #AC2C88
- Red: #A82C2C
- Blue: #2C2CAC
- Black: #101010

Section 2 of 4:

Why were these colors popular in the '90s?

Download Article

The bright and fun colors of the '90s symbolize the optimism of the decade. The '90s were a unique time in modern history. Technology was booming, and the Internet (and its related devices) made life easier for many people (plus, improved computer graphics allowed for the display of more varied and vibrant colors). Socially, people were expressing themselves through clothing and color, whether it was bright neons or dark grunge hues, and a new, multicultural pop culture influenced color trends in every aspect of design.
- It was also a decade of relative peace and prosperity. The Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, and the global stability and economic growth that followed defined the American '90s until the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 (sometimes considered to be the cultural “end” of the '90s).^{[11]
  X
  Research source}

Section 3 of 4:

Why are '90s colors making a comeback?

Download Article

Nostalgia, a yearning for optimism, and natural trend cycles have brought '90s colors back. Millennials and Gen Xers, who came of age or were born in the '90s, are feeling nostalgic for simpler, pre-smartphone times. Now, they have the purchasing power to bring '90s colors and trends back into their homes and wardrobes. Gen Z and younger folks are hopping in on the trend, too. The '90s were a decade of optimism, and in today’s climate of increased social, political, and financial stress, lots of young people are looking to the recent past for more lighthearted inspiration.
- Of course, all trends come back around eventually! Conventional wisdom says that styles come back into vogue about every 20 years (although that cycle is getting faster thanks to technology like TikTok).^{[12]
  X
  Research source}

Section 4 of 4:

Using '90s Colors Today

Download Article

There are plenty of ways to work '90s colors into your clothes and design! There are no hard and fast rules here—the vibe of the '90s was all about making a statement that reflected your personal style, whether it was in fashion or decor. Here are some easy ways to incorporate your favorite '90s colors with a modern twist:
- Fashion: '90s trends that are back in style now include color blocking, bold and lighthearted patterns, and accessories like chokers, scrunchies, and fanny packs. Add a nostalgic '90s color to any of these styles for a retro look!
- Decor: Use some homey '90s colors for accent walls, kitchen cabinets, or furniture pieces. Balance them out with neutrals to keep things looking fresh.
- Graphic/web design: Use '90s colors in logos, funky fonts, or other design elements to add a dash of nostalgia. Pair them with modern, clean and simple layouts for a striking look.