5 Interior Pieces To Avoid And 5 That Designers Say Are Here To Stay

Keeping up with interior design trends can feel like chasing a moving target. What’s stylish today might end up in next year’s garage sale pile. I’m going to share which home decor pieces designers are saying goodbye to and which ones have earned their permanent place in our homes.

These insights will help you make smarter choices for your space that won’t leave you with buyer’s remorse.

1. Outdated: Mason Jar Everything

Remember when mason jars took over every Pinterest board? From lighting fixtures to soap dispensers, these glass containers became the poster child for rustic chic. Now designers are rolling their eyes at this overdone trend.

The farmhouse craze has evolved, and with it, our obsession with turning canning jars into everything but actual food storage. If you’re still hoarding these in your craft closet, it might be time to actually use them for preserves instead.

2. Timeless: Statement Lighting

Good lighting transforms rooms from merely functional to absolutely magical. A stunning pendant over your dining table or an architectural floor lamp can serve as both illumination and art.

I’ve watched trends come and go, but a well-designed lighting fixture never loses its impact. The key is choosing pieces with clean lines and quality materials that speak to your personal style rather than chasing what’s momentarily hot.

3. Outdated: Word Art Signs

Those wooden plaques declaring “Live, Laugh, Love” or “Home Sweet Home” have saturated the market to the point of becoming visual noise. Designers now view these mass-produced sentiments as the equivalent of design clichés.

Your home should tell your unique story, not generic platitudes found in every discount home store. Personal photos, original artwork, or meaningful mementos create more authentic connections than manufactured inspiration ever could.

4. Timeless: Natural Materials

Wood, stone, linen, and cotton bring an organic warmth no synthetic material can match. These elements connect our indoor spaces to the natural world, creating a sense of calm that never goes out of style.

I’ve found that incorporating natural textures adds depth to any room. A solid wood coffee table develops character over time, while stone countertops tell a geological story thousands of years in the making.

5. Outdated: All-White Kitchens

The pristine all-white kitchen that dominated the 2010s is finally losing its grip on American homes. While initially appearing clean and bright, these spaces often feel clinical and show every speck of dirt.

Homeowners are discovering the joy of color and contrast. Navy blue islands, green cabinetry, and warm wood tones are bringing personality back to cooking spaces. Even small touches like brass hardware or colored appliances break the sterile monotony.

6. Timeless: Vintage Furniture Pieces

Nothing adds character to a room quite like a piece with history. That mid-century credenza or antique armoire brings craftsmanship and stories that new items simply can’t replicate.

I love how vintage furniture creates instant depth in modern spaces. These pieces were built to last generations, not just until next season’s catalog. Mixing one statement vintage find with contemporary elements creates that collected-over-time look that designers consistently praise.

7. Outdated: Accent Walls

Once the go-to solution for adding interest to boring rooms, the single accent wall has lost its appeal among design professionals. This half-hearted approach to color often feels disconnected from the overall design concept.

Today’s approach embraces more cohesive color stories throughout spaces. If you love that bold hue, consider using it throughout the room in varying intensities or complementary tones. Small doses of dramatic color through accessories often make more impact than a lone painted wall.

8. Timeless: Houseplants

From delicate ferns to statement fiddle leaf figs, indoor plants have transcended trend status to become essential design elements. They bring life, texture, and a connection to nature that no manufactured item can match.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, plants improve air quality and our mental wellbeing. I’ve noticed how even artificial plants have improved dramatically for those lacking green thumbs. The key is choosing varieties that suit your light conditions and maintenance abilities.

9. Outdated: Matching Furniture Sets

Walking into a room where every piece matches perfectly screams “showroom display” rather than thoughtful design. Those bedroom and living room packages that retailers push create spaces lacking personality and visual interest.

Designers consistently recommend building rooms through thoughtful curation rather than one-click shopping. Mixing complementary styles, textures, and even wood tones creates depth that matching sets can never achieve. Your furniture should feel collected rather than delivered all at once.

10. Timeless: Quality Upholstered Seating

A well-made sofa or armchair forms the foundation of comfortable, functional living spaces. Unlike trendy accent pieces, quality seating represents an investment that pays dividends in comfort and longevity.

I recommend choosing classic silhouettes in neutral fabrics that can evolve with your style. The frame construction matters more than current upholstery trends. A quality piece can be reupholstered multiple times over decades, while poorly constructed furniture ends up curbside within years.