The Divisive ’90s Decor Trend You Never Thought You’d See Again Is Back

Here’s a quick round of this-or-that: Paint or wallpaper? Minimalist or maximalist? Gold or silver? The last of these three can feel particularly divisive, but if the collective obsession with French-inspired gilded mirrors and adjacent-looking antique brass accents is any indication, gold has been enjoying a major design heyday. Don’t worry; this finish won’t ever go out of style, but it’s arguably now getting dethroned by silver, chrome, and polished nickel finishes.

Decorating with gold vs. silver all comes down to your personal style preferences, and both metals tend to fluctuate in terms of interior design popularity. In fact, designer Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms notes that silver preceded the brass trend that initially took off in the mid-2000s. Recently, though, based on marketplace patterns and trade shows, the pendulum seems to be shifting back to silver. Even 38% of designers polled in Apartment Therapy’s annual State of Home Design survey agreed that chrome will take center stage in 2025  — and for good reason. 

“People miss the shine and the little hit of ‘jewelry’-like finishes,” Storms explains of this silver comeback. “There is something truly classic and refined about this finish, even if it is used in a modern way.” 

To that end, chrome and polished nickel pieces tied to any era (from Art Deco to the post-modern) feel versatile and timeless enough to mingle well with a range of different design styles. Storms even associates the look with “masculine Ralph Lauren collections that help to brighten deep moody fabrics and textures.”

You also don’t have to trade off between exclusively using silver or gold, according to New York-based designer Adnan Anwar. “I think one of the most common misconceptions in interior design is that you can only have one metal finish in a room — that gold, iron, and silver can’t coexist,” he says. “The magic is in the mix. The contrast between warm and cool, or polished and aged finishes, makes a space look more dynamic, balanced, collected, and timeless.” 

Anwar typically gravitates toward chrome lighting and mirrors, especially in more traditionally designed homes, but the key is to incorporate multiple silver accents into the same room vs. just one stand-alone statement piece. “If you’re going to commit to mixing, try to echo that finish elsewhere, even if it’s something as small as a figurine or frame on a work of art,” he adds.  

Whether you’ve been #teamsilver all along or want to start dipping your toes in this trend, I rounded up a few furniture and decor finds with chrome or stainless steel finishes to help you get started.