Decor trends are constantly evolving, defining what is fashionable and what is outdated. Interior decor trends come and go, and many interior designers welcome the opportunity to recycle a favorite style, but there are some vintage decor trends that professional designers avoid.
Some vintage elements that were once considered practical now feel too fussy and ornate. These are difficult to blend with a modern aesthetic. Others evoke a sense of nostalgia that is more kitschy than classic. You can create a layered and textured home that is as distinctive as it is attractive by carefully considering which vintage decor trends to embrace and which to avoid.
Every professional interior designer has their own personal style and methods, but even those who prefer classic and vintage designs tend to avoid trends that are difficult to incorporate into a contemporary aesthetic. These may include elements that are overly stylized or decor trends that are difficult to change and maintain.
Overly Ornate Wallpaper Borders
Fancy wallpaper borders were once a common feature on the wall, either around the top where it meets the ceiling or below or above a chair rail in the center. Common themes of these borders included ornate floral patterns, intricate scrolls, or thematic motifs. Rather than enhancing the continuity of the room’s color or wall pattern, these borders disrupt the flow and inhibit flexibility in the room’s design. They create a harsh visual break between sections of the wall or between the wall and ceiling and make the room feel smaller than it is.
Modern design is embracing wallpaper, including vintage styles, but it favors seamless, full wall patterns rather than borders. Full wall color or wallpaper offers a cleaner and more versatile room style.
Shabby Chic Overload
Shabby chic furniture and decor of the 1990s was a resurgence of English cottage style. This style was characterized by distressed furniture, whitewashed finishes, and vintage-inspired charm. Even though these elements are still useful in certain interior designs, an overuse of this style can make a space feel overly staged and inauthentic. The appeal of shabby chic was that the pieces looked lived-in, but when every piece is artificially aged, the design loses its originality.
Designers today, even those who favor vintage cottage style, are beginning to incorporate both modern and vintage-looking pieces into their designs to make them feel natural and effortless.
Fake Plants and Silk Flowers
Homeowners have always enjoyed incorporating greenery into their home decor, whether it is draping faux ivy vines across kitchen cabinets or arranging silk flowers on the dining room table. Over time, these faux arrangements tend to collect dust and fade. They will often lose their realistic appeal long before they are replaced.
Modern designers prefer to use live plants, greenery, and flowers in their spaces. Live plants inject vibrancy and color into any design while also improving mood and air quality. Certainly, there are better faux options available today than there were many years ago, so look for plants that appear more realistic than their outdated counterparts. For those who struggle with plant care, low-maintenance options such as succulents or snake plants work well and are a viable alternative to faux plants.
Overstuffed Chairs, Sofas, and Recliners
Overstuffed sofas and chairs became fashionable in the late 19th century and have been a trend that has resurfaced in the decades since. However, while a generously filled sofa is comfortable and enveloping, one that is overstuffed may appear bulky and make a room feel cramped and visually heavy. These pieces can dominate a room design and leave little space for a balanced layout, especially when paired with other overstuffed furniture.
A more modern approach that designers are taking is to favor sleek, well-proportioned pieces that provide comfort and style without overwhelming a room. If designers do opt for one overstuffed piece, they often pair it with sleek or pared-down elements to balance the bulky look.
Excessive Ruffles and Frilly Fabrics
Flounces and ruffles have made a big comeback, particularly on skirted furniture like a side chair or ottoman, but excessive ruffles and frilly fabrics should be avoided. Ruffles work well on one or two elements in a room, but an overabundance on bedding, upholstery, and curtains will date the space faster.
Today’s designers prefer to use cleaner lines and simpler textures in the majority of their pieces, incorporating natural fabrics, tailored window coverings, and layered textiles to create warmth without excess. Ruffles should be used sparingly to highlight small details like these.
Heavy, Dark Wood Trim and Paneling
Many historic homes use dark wood trim and paneling to striking effect, where it adds warmth, depth, and a sense of craftsmanship. In certain settings, such as a library or den, dark wood elements can feel rich and sophisticated. However, most modern designers avoid using this type of trim. Dark paneling tends to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller and more enclosed. This wood color choice can be especially difficult for homes with few windows. Dark paneling can also make a space feel more dated, depending on the color, and is difficult to change without significant time and effort.
Designers today prefer painted trim and paneling, or, in some cases, lighter wood detailing. These options make the home more versatile as well as give it a more contemporary aesthetic.
Themed Rooms
Themed rooms can be whimsical and immersive, especially for children, but designers avoid this decor choice because these types of rooms can feel gimmicky and confining. These spaces often feel overly contrived rather than naturally curated. Themed rooms require a complete overhaul to change rather than allowing for pieces to move in and out of the room naturally through time.
Instead of themed rooms, designers prefer to make subtle references to specific interests or themes, such as nautical or Hollywood, to add personality and uniqueness to a space. Rather than being locked into one look, homeowners can make small changes to a room to move the style of the space in a different direction if desired.
Wall-to-Wall Mirrors
Mirrored walls were common throughout the 1970s and 1980s to make rooms feel lighter, brighter, and larger. While mirrors do reflect light and make a room feel spacious, large mirrors along walls and doors are difficult to maintain. Fingerprints and smudges appear on a daily basis and require constant cleaning. Large expanses of mirror make a room feel cold and impersonal. In addition, wall-to-wall mirrors severely limit design flexibility.
Large mirrors are an essential component in many rooms, but they are typically used as statement pieces rather than as the backdrop in most interior designs.
Avocado Green and Harvest Gold Appliances
Avocado green and harvest gold appliances were once the height of kitchen style in the 1970s. While these and other boldly colored appliances can have a retro charm, they are difficult to incorporate into modern spaces. They are also difficult to combine with different color palettes.
The use of colored appliances has been largely replaced by the use of neutral appliance colors such as white, black, and stainless steel. These offer much greater versatility in the long run.
Carpeted Bathrooms
Wall-to-wall carpeting became common in the 1950s, and eventually people put it everywhere, even in bathrooms. This was the ultimate sign of a luxurious home. Carpeting floors is an easy way to make a cold and utilitarian bathroom warm and cozy. Carpet in bathrooms has fallen out of favor because bathrooms are high-moisture areas and carpets will absorb moisture, resulting in the growth of mold and mildew in the underlayers. Carpet is also more difficult to clean, so it is not an ideal floor option for high-traffic areas like bathrooms.
Today, designers prefer water-resistant materials such as tile, vinyl, and, on occasion, wood. To add coziness to bathrooms, they use a variety of rugs and mats to provide a soft landing for cold, wet feet.
