Experts Say These 17 Dallas Home Trends Won’t Last Until 2030
Dallas homeowners have embraced countless design trends over the years, from rustic farmhouse looks to ultra-modern minimalism.
But not all home features stand the test of time. Real estate experts and interior designers are now pointing to several current Dallas home trends that will likely fade away before the decade ends.
If you’re planning renovations or buying a new home, you might want to think twice about these soon-to-be outdated features.
1. Faux Stone Accent Walls
Once considered the height of rustic chic, faux stone accent walls are quickly losing their appeal among Dallas homeowners. The artificial look becomes more obvious as materials age, with edges often peeling and colors fading unevenly under the Texas sun.
Designers now prefer authentic materials or simpler treatments that don’t try so hard to imitate nature. Many homeowners who installed these walls are already covering them up with more timeless options like simple paint or subtle textured finishes.
If your home still sports one of these stone-look walls, consider replacing it sooner rather than later especially if you’re planning to sell within the next few years. The dated look could significantly impact your home’s perceived value.
2. Over-Sized Kitchens
Massive kitchens with endless countertops and multiple islands became Dallas status symbols during the 2010s. Today, homeowners realize these spaces waste valuable square footage and create inefficient work triangles that make cooking more cumbersome than convenient.
The pandemic taught us that flexible, multi-purpose spaces serve families better than single-use showpieces. Smart kitchen designs now focus on functionality with just enough space to accommodate modern needs without excess.
Buyers are increasingly turned off by kitchens that feel like commercial restaurants rather than family gathering spots. The trend toward right-sized, thoughtfully designed kitchens with quality over quantity is already replacing the bigger-is-better mentality that dominated recent years.
3. Popcorn Ceilings
Somehow, popcorn ceilings have managed to survive in Dallas homes despite being widely recognized as outdated. These textured eyesores collect dust, are difficult to clean, and instantly date any space to decades past.
Removal specialists across Dallas report being booked months in advance as homeowners finally tackle this lingering remnant from the 1970s and 80s. Beyond aesthetics, many older popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, making professional removal not just about style but safety.
Modern ceiling treatments like smooth finishes or subtle textures create the illusion of higher ceilings and better light reflection. If you’re still living under the bumpy burden of popcorn ceilings, their removal might be the single most impactful update you can make to modernize your home.
4. Heavy Crown Molding
Ornate, oversized crown molding that once signaled luxury in Dallas homes is quickly falling out of favor. Those heavy, multi-layered crown installations that were popular in McMansions throughout North Texas now make rooms feel dated and overly fussy.
Modern architectural trends embrace cleaner lines and more subtle transitions between walls and ceilings. Designers report that younger homebuyers specifically mention heavy crown molding as a feature they plan to remove when viewing potential properties.
If your home features particularly ornate crown molding, you might consider replacing it with simpler profiles or removing it entirely in some rooms. The contemporary look favors architectural interest through thoughtful design rather than applied decorative elements that compete with the room’s natural proportions.
5. Glossy Cabinet Finishes
High-gloss cabinet finishes that dominated Dallas kitchens and bathrooms for years are rapidly losing their shine among homeowners and designers. These reflective surfaces show every fingerprint, scratch, and speck of dust, making them surprisingly high-maintenance despite their sleek appearance.
Matte and satin finishes are taking center stage instead, offering a sophisticated look that hides imperfections better and creates a warmer, more inviting atmosphere. The subtle texture of these finishes also adds depth that flat glossy surfaces lack.
Cabinet refinishing businesses across Dallas report a surge in requests to tone down glossy cabinets. If you’re stuck with the high-shine look, consider refinishing rather than replacing it’s a cost-effective update that can completely transform your kitchen’s feel without a full renovation.
6. Neon Accent Colors
Those bold neon accent walls and bright accessories that briefly captured Dallas homeowners’ attention are already fading faster than the paint itself. Interior designers report clients specifically requesting help to tone down these vibrant choices that quickly became visually exhausting.
Color trends are shifting toward more sustainable choices – not just environmentally, but visually sustainable colors you can live with long-term. Warm neutrals with subtle undertones and nature-inspired hues create more timeless environments that won’t need repainting every few years.
If your home still sports a lime green accent wall or shocking pink bathroom, consider transitioning to colors with staying power. The good news? This trend is one of the easiest and least expensive to correct, often requiring just a gallon or two of paint to bring your space into the current decade.
7. Barn Door Everything
Sliding barn doors exploded across Dallas homes during the farmhouse trend, appearing everywhere from bathrooms to bedrooms to closets. Now they’re sliding right out of style as homeowners discover their practical limitations poor sound insulation, incomplete privacy, and tracks that collect dust.
These chunky doors often dominate rooms visually while failing to perform their basic function well. Designers note that many clients specifically mention barn doors as features they want to replace when renovating recently purchased homes.
Traditional hinged doors or more sophisticated sliding pocket doors offer better functionality without the trendy farmhouse aesthetic that’s becoming increasingly dated. If your home features barn doors in private areas like bathrooms or bedrooms, replacing them might be a worthwhile investment before they further date your space.
8. Patterned Wallpaper Rooms
Bold, room-encompassing patterned wallpaper that briefly returned to Dallas homes is already wearing out its welcome. These overwhelming designs quickly become visually tiresome and make spaces feel smaller and busier than necessary.
Design professionals note that fully wallpapered rooms are among the first features new homeowners plan to change. The commitment to a single bold pattern throughout an entire space feels dated compared to more thoughtful, restrained applications.
If you jumped on this returning trend, consider scaling back to a single accent wall or removing the wallpaper entirely. The current direction favors texture over pattern and subtlety over boldness. Wallpaper isn’t disappearing completely, but its application is becoming more strategic and limited rather than the all-over treatment that briefly captured Dallas homeowners’ imagination.
9. Dark Charcoal Paint
Those moody, dark charcoal walls that dominated Dallas design magazines are rapidly falling from favor. While dramatically photogenic, these spaces prove impractical for everyday living in the harsh Texas light, making rooms feel cave-like and depressing rather than sophisticated.
Homeowners discover these dark walls show every scuff and imperfection while making spaces feel significantly smaller. Real estate agents report that dark-painted rooms are frequently mentioned as immediate renovation projects by potential buyers, effectively reducing home values.
Lighter, more reflective wall colors are making a strong comeback for their ability to maximize natural light and create a sense of spaciousness. If your home features dark charcoal walls, repainting with brighter neutrals might be one of the most impactful updates you can make before these dark hues further date your space.
10. Elaborate Ceiling Medallions
Ornate ceiling medallions that surged in popularity during the McMansion era are quickly becoming design relics across Dallas homes. These decorative elements often clash with otherwise contemporary interiors and draw attention to dated light fixtures they were installed to highlight.
Current architectural trends favor cleaner lines and more intentional details rather than applied ornamentation that references historical styles out of context. Designers report that younger homebuyers specifically mention ceiling medallions as features they plan to remove.
If your home features particularly elaborate medallions, especially in less formal spaces like bedrooms or kitchens, removing them can instantly modernize your ceiling. For a more updated look, consider simpler, more architectural ceiling treatments or let statement lighting stand on its own without competing decorative elements.
11. Built-In Bar Carts
Those dedicated built-in bar areas that became must-haves in Dallas homes are losing their appeal faster than a flat champagne. Homeowners are realizing these single-purpose spaces consume valuable square footage that could serve multiple functions.
Mobile bar carts and flexible storage solutions are replacing these permanent fixtures, allowing homeowners to adapt spaces as needs change. Many families are converting these areas into more practical storage, home office nooks, or homework stations that serve daily needs rather than occasional entertaining.
If your home features a built-in bar that rarely sees use, consider repurposing the space. The good news is that these areas often include cabinetry and countertops that can be reimagined for other purposes without major construction, making this trend relatively easy to update.
12. Floating Vanities Without Storage
Sleek floating bathroom vanities with minimal storage looked stunning in design magazines but proved impractical for Dallas families. These wall-mounted fixtures sacrifice valuable storage space for a minimalist aesthetic that doesn’t accommodate real-life bathroom needs.
Homeowners quickly discovered the inconvenience of storing toiletries, cleaning supplies, and extra towels elsewhere when bathroom square footage is already limited. Plumbers report frequent calls to replace these floating fixtures with more functional alternatives that combine modern design with practical storage.
If your bathroom features one of these storage-challenged vanities, replacing it with a more functional design could significantly improve your daily routine. The good news is that newer vanity styles offer the visual lightness of floating designs while incorporating drawers and cabinets that make bathroom organization possible.
13. Massive Chandeliers
Oversized chandeliers that once dominated Dallas dining rooms and entryways are increasingly viewed as excessive and outdated. These enormous fixtures often overwhelm spaces visually while creating harsh lighting conditions that aren’t conducive to comfortable living.
Lighting designers note that scale and proportion have returned as guiding principles, with fixtures sized appropriately to the spaces they illuminate. Modern lighting trends favor sculptural pieces that complement rather than dominate a room’s architecture.
If your home features a chandelier of extraordinary proportions, replacing it with a more appropriately scaled fixture can immediately update your space. Many homeowners are surprised by how much larger and more balanced rooms feel once properly proportioned lighting is installed. This is one trend correction that can transform a space without requiring major construction.
14. Personalized Accent Walls
Those highly personalized accent walls featuring family names, inspirational quotes, or custom murals are rapidly falling from favor in Dallas homes. While these walls reflected personal style, they’ve proven difficult for potential buyers to envision themselves living with.
Real estate agents report that these custom walls are frequently mentioned as immediate painting projects by home shoppers. The trend toward more neutral, versatile spaces that can adapt to changing tastes has rendered these personalized statements outdated almost as quickly as they appeared.
If your home features a personalized wall treatment, consider repainting before listing your property. Even if you’re not planning to sell soon, replacing these custom elements with more timeless designs will keep your home from feeling dated as design trends continue to evolve toward cleaner, more adaptable spaces.
15. Velvet Sectionals
Plush velvet sectionals in jewel tones that briefly captured Dallas homeowners’ attention are already showing signs of dating. These massive pieces not only dominate rooms visually but have proven impractical in the Texas climate where they attract dust and can feel uncomfortably warm.
Furniture retailers report declining interest in these statement pieces as homeowners shift toward more versatile, modular seating that can be reconfigured as needs change. The maintenance challenges of keeping velvet looking fresh in a climate with significant allergens has further accelerated this trend’s decline.
If you invested in one of these statement sectionals, consider refreshing it with new, more durable slipcovers or breaking it into smaller seating arrangements. The good news is that the modular nature of many of these pieces allows for creative reconfiguration rather than complete replacement.
16. Overly Themed Bedrooms
Heavily themed bedrooms whether rustic farmhouse, industrial loft, or coastal retreat – are rapidly falling from favor in Dallas homes. These one-note designs quickly feel dated and require complete overhauls when tastes inevitably change.
Interior designers note that clients increasingly request more versatile, timeless bedroom designs with personality added through easily changed accessories rather than permanent elements. The pandemic-driven desire for calming, restful sleep spaces has further accelerated the move away from visually busy themed rooms.
If your bedroom currently features an all-in theme approach, consider scaling back to more neutral foundations with theme elements confined to easily changed items like throw pillows or artwork. This approach allows for seasonal refreshes and evolving tastes without requiring major renovations every few years when design trends shift.
17. Synthetic Turf Front Lawns
Artificial grass front lawns that briefly seemed like smart solutions to Dallas water restrictions are losing appeal faster than expected. Homeowners discovered these synthetic surfaces can reach uncomfortable temperatures during hot Texas summers, sometimes exceeding 150 degrees and actually increasing cooling costs for adjacent spaces.
Landscape architects report growing requests to remove these installations in favor of drought-tolerant native plantings that provide natural cooling effects. Beyond practical concerns, the aesthetic has failed to age well, with many installations developing an unmistakably artificial appearance over time.
If your property features synthetic turf, especially in front yards or play areas, consider transitioning to xeriscaping with native Texas plants. These alternatives offer similar water-saving benefits while providing natural habitat for local wildlife and avoiding the heat island effect that makes artificial turf increasingly problematic in our warming climate.
