Most home decor trends will eventually become outdated, but for some, sooner is better than later. When they are first introduced, certain trends create a lot of buzz but soon lose their appeal. Whether it is a home decor trend that sacrifices function for aesthetics or a fad that has been relentlessly copied, certain styles reach a point where they must be abandoned.
If your space feels stuck in a style that no longer works for you, now may be the time to reconsider it. The following is an explanation of home decor trends that you might want to ditch as soon as possible for a refresh that will elevate your space to a new level.
Home Decor Trends to Phase Out
Some homeowners are more interested in keeping up with the latest trends than others. Whether you are a fervent follower of interior style trends or a more casual observer, this list will provide you with ideas for making your interior more timeless and resistant to changing trends.
Fast Furniture
While inexpensive and readily available, some fast furniture lacks durability and distinction and is not sustainable. We would never advise someone to spend more money than their budget allows, but instead want to advocate for trends that allow for greater diversity in interior design and the expectation of a longer timeline, allowing people to curate their spaces over time rather than having to fill them right away.
Rather than constantly replacing cheap, trendy furniture to keep up with the latest trends, invest in fewer, well-made, timeless pieces that will last. Look for solid wood pieces at vintage and thrift stores that add personality and longevity to your space. Not only will this approach create a more refined and unique home, but it will also be more eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
Blobby Furniture
With its exaggerated curves and soft amorphous shapes, blobby furniture has been a home design trend that once felt quirky and playful. Now, this exaggerated style is quickly losing its initial eye-grabbing novelty. These pieces can add a fun, sculptural element to certain interior designs; in general, they lack the versatility and structure needed for long-term appeal. Their bulky form will quickly dominate and overwhelm most spaces.
If you want to incorporate a sense of playfulness into your interior design, consider adding a few pieces of decor in this style rather than purchasing furniture. This allows you to easily replace these pieces with others in a different style if you get tired of the look. Compared to replacing the furniture, replacing a few pieces of decor is far more economical.
Barn Doors
Barn doors are the darlings of home renovation shows and builders because of the ease of installation compared to a door with a frame. This characteristic helps to explain their massive popularity in recent years. While they save space and make installation easier, they lack proper soft-proofing and privacy, making them unsuitable for bathrooms and bedrooms, not to mention the frequent style mismatch with certain types of homes.
Pocket doors are a better choice if you need to save space. While installation necessitates a higher level of construction expertise, they are sleek, space-saving, and have a classic appearance. Another option is French doors, which have a timeless and elegant look.
Matching Furniture Sets
It might seem like an easy solution to create a cohesive room style, but investing in matching sets of furniture will likely make your space feel stale and overly staged. When every piece comes from the same set, you lack the opportunity to create a look that is unique and layered.
Compelling interior designs take time to create, so you shouldn’t feel compelled to fill your space immediately. Instead, take the time to mix and match pieces with different styles, textures, and colors. Pair vintage pieces with modern ones to make the space resistant to prevailing interior trends. This approach adds interest and keeps your room from feeling trapped in a showroom aesthetic.
Excessive Minimalism
Excessive minimalism might work for a small group of people who live lightly in their homes, but for most of us, this is a style that is too stark and spare for life in the real world. Excessive minimalism is characterized by stark white walls, empty spaces, and ultra-sleek furnishings. This style can feel cold and sterile. Certainly, the idea of clutter-free living feels appealing, but stripping a room of all personality can leave it feeling lifeless.
The new approach in minimalist design is an emphasis on warm minimalism. This means layering in a selection of textured pieces, natural materials, and a few carefully chosen decorative elements. Soft textiles, warm wood tones, and meaningful pieces of decor can allow someone to maintain a clean and unfussy aesthetic while making your home feel inviting, warm, and personal.
Over-the-Top Maximalism
Maximalism is a fun style that allows individuals to mix patterns, furniture, decor, and textures in a way that feels abundant and dynamic. Some people have taken maximalism to such an extreme that feels impractical and overwhelming. These spaces can feel difficult to day-to-day use.
A more livable approach is to take a refined approach to maximalism by focusing on intentional layering. Choose a cohesive color palette, mix patterns with balance, and incorporate statement pieces that are usable and durable. By curating your space rather than cluttering it, you can achieve a look that is bold and rich rather than feeling chaotic.
Rooms in a Single Style
Whether its full-on farmhouse, coastal, or mid-century modern, overly themed rooms can make a home feel staged rather than like a space with nuance and history. Drawing inspiration from a style is a great first step, but committing too heavily to one style will limit your options and discourage natural evolution of your style in the future.
Rather than limiting your style to one genre, consider combining different pieces in different styles in your rooms to create a more layered and unique look. Even just one antique item in a room of modern pieces can make the design feel more timeless and nuanced. It will also make the space and your design strategy more adaptable.
Faux Distressed Furniture
Faux distressed furniture, with its manufactured scratches and dents, lacks the character and patina of a truly aged piece. While the aim of the designers was to create a piece that feels authentic, the effect is exactly the opposite. Faux distressed furniture most often feels fake and overly contrived.
Instead, look for vintage or antique pieces that show their ware and perhaps have a story to tell. If you prefer a more modern approach, look for furniture and decor made of durable and high-quality materials that will age well. This will instantly give your home an authentic look while avoiding the fleeting appeal of artificial age.
Tile Countertops
Tile countertops have made sporadic appearances over the decades and are now making a comeback on modern countertops. Given the maintenance and hygienic issues, this trend should be discontinued permanently. The grout lines between the tiles are ideal for capturing dust, grime, and bacteria. Their narrowness makes them difficult to clean. The tiles themselves are often delicate and prone to cracking under high pressure.
Consider natural materials such as stone or wood, as well as solid manufactured materials such as quartz, for the most seamless appearance and low maintenance. These options provide easy maintenance and a streamlined appearance that complements a wide range of home styles.
Accent Walls in Bold Colors
Accent walls in bold colors are a way to introduce a vivid, bright element into a room design without overwhelming the room with color, but many professional designers are rethinking this look. Instead of unifying the room, a bold accent wall can disrupt the flow and cohesion of the space.
Make the space feel enveloping and inviting by painting a bold color, or a variation, on all the walls and even the trim and ceiling. Or, consider using elements of this color throughout the room. Introduce this color in wall art, textiles, furniture, and decor, which you can easily update when you are ready for a color change.
Modern Geometric Millwork
Geometric millwork is a contemporary trend beloved by home design influencers and DIYers alike. With its sharp angles and intricate patterns, this type of millwork can feel overly trendy and date the space more quickly than a classic pattern.
Choose a more subtle approach by using patterns that have proven to be timeless and classic. These are typically understated textures that add subtle distinction rather than steal the show. Focus on clean lines, simple patterns, and soft curves that complement your home’s architecture and your personal style.
