This story is part of our Aughts Effect package, which celebrates 20 years of Popsugar — and enduring culture. Read all the stories here. [1]
In 2006, my summer activities consisted of "coding" my MySpace profile to rain hearts while simultaneously dragging a sizzling-hot Conair flat iron through the ends of my humidity-stricken hair. My busiest days included trips to the mall and sleepovers with my friends. Later, I'd come to realize that these had been some of the best days of my angsty teenage life. My childhood bedroom — which is now my home office — was at the heart of so many of these memories.
My childhood bedroom circa 2007. It's the Zac Efron [2] posters for me. Image Source: Emily Zirimis
Many a summer night, this room was my sanctuary. I would stay up late writing chapters in my journal while "MTV Cribs" blared in the background, permeating my innermost thoughts. Throughout the years, the walls changed from lime green in 2004 to "Tiffany" blue in 2011 to match whatever bedroom trend I was currently obsessed with. Today, the walls are white, a blank canvas for all of my tchotchkes.
My desire for collecting has always existed, but the end of the global pandemic brought about the innate desire for self-expression, not just for myself personally, but seemingly for society at large. From accoutrements for our handbags [3] to trinkets for our bookshelves, we wanted to feel creatively inspired everywhere we looked after having been quarantined for so long. I'm happy to report that I have indeed felt something – joy – in how I have nostalgically decorated my home office.
Writer Andi Breitowich wrote about the Y2K Teen Bedroom being back [4] for Popsugar, stating, "Y2K isn't just about style; it's a joyride to their happiest memories, a way to celebrate their younger selves, and a chance to relive a time when life perhaps felt more carefree, natural, and bursting with color." Impact [5] has also pointed out how "being whimsy" is "intrinsically tied to trying to reinsert happiness into our everyday lives amidst a chaotic world."
And to that, I couldn't agree more. My Instagram and Pinterest feeds feature styled vignettes with various toys and figures (Sonny Angel, Jellycat, Sanrio, and Pop Mart, just to name a few), Vivienne Westwood lighters, Maison Margiela candles, and Yoshitomo Nara exhibition books. It's about balance! It's about high-low! But frankly speaking, it's really about what sparks joy in our lives these days.
So to anyone who feels like the idea of nostalgia in your home as an adult may lean too childish, juvenile, or silly, I say: lean in. My approach has been about including elements both old and new that bring me back to my childhood bedroom, and I hope this inspires you to take your own approach to decorating.
Nostalgic Interior Inspo by Category
- Decor [5]
- Lighting [5]
- Desk Essentials [5]
- Tchotchkes [5]
Decor
Decor is the secret sauce to elevating your space. The view from my desk overlooks a gallery wall of art that I have collected over the years, and I recently added the Squier x Hello Kitty Stratocaster guitar in an attempt to inspire me to learn how to play guitar. I also love my new Hello Kitty bluetooth boombox (which quite literally sounds like my childhood when my playlist bops through its speakers).
If you're looking for touches of nostalgic magic, shop the below.
Fender® x Loog® x Hello Kitty® Stratocaster® 3-String Children's Guitar [6] ($230). Victoria's Secret PINK Display Shelf [7] ($23). TMsale Windchimes [8] ($34, originally $43). Ottomanson Cheetah Print 3x5 Washable Area Rug [9] ($37). PB Teen Pink Palm Puff Hibiscus Round Pillow [10] ($60). Y2K Juicy Couture 38cm Logo Pink Mirror [11] ($77). "Yoshitomo Nara" by Yeewan Koon [12] ($78, originally $100). Decosurf Sea Coral Classic Vintage Style Surfboard [13] ($159, originally $199). PB Teen Full-Length Surfboard Pinboard [14] ($299).
Lighting
Behind my desk (the background for all of my work calls) are my CB2 bookshelves, which house a majority of my book collection in addition to items I have thrifted or picked up along my travels over the years. Lighting features prominently: some of my favorite items include a vintage Italian murano lamp that I found on Etsy years ago and a rechargeable Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp.
Lamps and funky lighting can really change your space. Brighten up your home with the following products.
Beistle Zebra Print Paper Lanterns, Set of 3 [15] ($16). Room Essentials Trend Pleated Double Shade Small Dot White [16] ($20). Marwin Craft Squared Multi Color String Lights [17] ($20, originally $27). Sanrio Cinnamoroll Portable Mini Lamp [18] ($36). Everlight Works Vintage Kodak 200 Inspired Desktop Lightbox [19] ($42, originally $84). ODDBITS Cherry Lamp [20] ($43). East Urban Home Standing Floor Lamp [21] ($83, originally $105). CalicoCollectionz 1994 Rabbit Tanaka Dolphin Motion Lamp [22] ($84). Verner Panton for Louis Poulsen Panthella Rechargeable LED Table Lamp [23] ($380).
Desk Essentials
Details from my desk include a recently acquired silver tray from my local thrift store to act as a purse bowl, an Apple MacBook Neo in Citrus (which is so reminiscent of the colorful tech from the early aughts), and a few personal *vintage* items including two Hard Candy nail polishes and a Juicy Couture charm bracelet.
Inspired? Pick up delightful touches like these ones.
Sanrio Hello Kitty Classic Calculator [24] ($24, originally $34). Apple MacBook Neo Citrus [25] ($699). uniball™ The Elle Pen Set [26] ($12). Sanrio Cinnamoroll Rotating Pen Stand [27] ($18). STGrecords Vintage Britney Spears Cassette Tape Desk Organizer [28] ($35). Sumnacon Bling Square Tissue Box Cover [29] ($37). PrincessBEElucky 2000s Vintage Bratz Doll Oversized Alarm Clock [30] ($73, originally $86). Juicy Couture Pouchette 01 [31] ($108). Sony Digital Camera Pink Cyber-Shot [32] ($143).
Tchotchkes and Posters
My little reading nook has become the wall of posters and tchotchkes. Prized possessions include: my large format Fujifilm camera, a vintage Polly Pocket from my own childhood collection, and a poster of my first Popsugar cover [33].
For tchotchkes and psoters to add to your own collection, shop below.
Y2K Deadstock High School Musical Button Pins [34] ($12, originally $16). Pop Mart Crybaby Sad Club Series Plush Flower [35] ($43). Sonny Angel Animal Series 3-1 Sealed Blind Box Original Mini Figure [36] ($22). Vintage Victoria's Secret PINK Stuffed Dog Plush Set of 2 [37] ($25). Vivienne Westwood Heart Lighter [38] ($170). LEGO Twilight The Cullen House [39] ($220). Blue Crush 2002 27x40 Final Movie Poster [40] ($32). Hilary Duff and Simple Plan Posters 16x20 (2005) [41] ($50). Frutiger Aero Underwater Poster Print [42] ($11, originally $15).
Emily Zirimis [43] is the associate creative director at Popsugar. Before joining the PS team, she worked as Creative Design Director at Teen Vogue for nearly six years. She holds a BFA in Communications Design with a minor in Art History from Pratt Institute and has been working in the digital media space since 2014.