The '90s Kitchen TV Is Back—Here's How to Incorporate One Into Your Space

Nineties interior design has a reputation as the comfort food of the décor world. From warm wood tones to comfy upholstery, people are craving cozy nostalgia—think of Chicken Soup for the Soul, the ultimate '90s book, but adapted for the home.

One element from this era that is making its way back into homes after the open floor plan made it irrelevant is the kitchen TV. More than just a practical way to watch your favorite show, this kitchen accessory is going viral on social media for its nostalgic impact.

Ahead, learn everything you need to know about this trend, including tasteful ways to make it work in your home.

Why the Kitchen TV Trend Is Back

Like many trends that are cycling back into the mainstream, the '90s kitchen TV trend has been widely romanticized on Instagram and TikTok. Gen Z creators are purchasing small box TVs to watch nostalgic shows from the '90s and early 2000s, such as Gilmore Girls and Friends, while they bake dessert or cook a comforting dinner. Simply put, people are craving the cozy atmosphere this era is so well known for.

But the popularization of the kitchen TV also signals a larger shift in home design—the return of the closed floor plan. This layout has been regaining traction for several years now, making it difficult to see your family TV while cooking dinner. That leaves some people with no choice but to once again introduce their kitchen TV, particularly if they spend significant time prepping, cooking, or baking, and don't want to miss the latest season of their favorite show.

Embrace the Nostalgia

While we'd like to think we can all do without screen time, the reality is, there's something comforting about putting on one of your favorite shows while you're cooking something cozy in the kitchen. "There’s definitely a nostalgia element at play. Many clients remember gathering around the kitchen TV growing up," says Becky Asleson, founder and principal of Maple & White Design.

Rather than making it something you switch on as soon as you walk in the room, use the TV to bring back memories. Turn on Hocus Pocus while baking for a Halloween party, or put on an old episode of Barefoot Contessa while making a fall soup. Asleson adds, "Reintroducing the ritual in a more refined, design-conscious way lets us capture the comfort of the past while keeping the kitchen timeless and functional."

Other Ways to Try the Kitchen TV Trend in Your Home

The kitchen TV doesn't need to be the bulky afterthought it was in the 90s. Today, designers are intentionally incorporating it in a way that blends right in. To get the look right, here's what the experts suggest.

Disguise Your TV in Cabinetry

The TVs of the '90s were often black boxes that sat on the kitchen countertop, taking up precious counter space. Instead, look for a style that you can integrate into your cabinet design or even hide entirely when it's not in use. "TVs in the kitchen today are done in an intentional and design-forward way rather than the bulky countertop sets of the 90s. Today, the difference is integration. Custom cabinetry can conceal a TV entirely until it’s needed," says Asleson.

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Think About Placement

Carefully placing the TV in a spot where it doesn't become a centerpiece is also key to integrating it into the room. "Rather than making the TV a focal point, we prefer to position it where it’s visible from the island or breakfast nook, but still secondary to the overall design," says Asleson.

Consider placing it on a far wall where you can see it if you're cooking at the island, but it's not visible if you're gathered around for a family dinner. While you don't want it to feel like an afterthought in the design, you want to make sure it doesn't feel central to the design.

Opt for a Frame TV

The most discreet way to incorporate a TV was previously a small TV on the countertop or a flip-down screen under a cabinet. But today, Gladys Schanstra, creative director at Drury Design, is less concerned about hiding the TV than camouflaging it. This is truly the application the frame TVs were designed for.

"Our clients like TV screens that double as picture frames. Just set it to show art when you're not watching it," says Schanstra. "With the right model within a frame, with the right artwork on the screen, no one can tell that it isn't a painting unless they get really close to it."

Use a Tablet Rather Than a Full TV

There's also the option to skip the full TV and use a tablet instead. This gives you the flexibility to pull it out when you're craving a movie to accompany your cooking, and put it away when you don't want the kids to resort to screen time while they eat their breakfast.

"There are clever ways to incorporate TVs in built-in cabinetry, but I’ve found the most practical option is simply having a dedicated tablet for the kitchen," says Cory Alisa Ferris, founder of Cory Alisa Fine Arts & Interior Design. "If it has a case with a stand, the device can be placed wherever most convenient, moved if necessary, and stowed away in a drawer when not in use."

She adds that this also comes in handy whenever you're cooking from a recipe that's just a bit too small on your phone.