12 Outdated Home Trends To Rethink This Year
Some home trends just don’t age as well as we hope. What once felt fresh and stylish can start to look dated or out of place as design tastes shift.
If your space still leans heavily on yesterday’s “it” looks, it might be time for a refresh. Join me in a walk-through of some home trends that are ready for retirement, and share simple ideas to help you update your space with confidence.
Design preferences are personal. These suggestions reflect current trends and general style shifts.
1. All-Gray Interiors
Once upon a time, I couldn’t walk into a home without seeing fifty shades of gray from floor to ceiling. The monochrome madness has finally peaked! Gray isn’t inherently bad, but when your entire house resembles a cloudy day, it’s time for change.
Warm neutrals and earthy tones are stealing the spotlight now. Try incorporating terracotta, olive green, or rich browns to breathe life into those spaces that currently feel like a black-and-white movie set.
2. Shiplap On Every Wall
How quickly we went from “ooh, shiplap!” to “oh no, more shiplap.” Thanks to certain home renovation shows, these horizontal wooden boards took over America’s walls faster than you could say farmhouse chic.
Shiplap works beautifully as an accent, but covering every vertical surface makes your home look like a barn that’s trying too hard. Consider limiting this treatment to a single feature wall or replacing it with textured wallpaper or venetian plaster for a more current look.
3. Word Art And Inspirational Quotes
If your walls are telling visitors to “Live, Laugh, Love,” we need to talk. Those giant typographic statements that once seemed so profound have become the ultimate design cliché.
Word art signs announcing that your kitchen is indeed a kitchen aren’t fooling anyone. Instead of letting your walls do all the talking, consider artwork that sparks conversation naturally.
A single meaningful piece carries more weight than mass-produced phrases that have lost their impact through overexposure.
4. Faux-Distressed Furniture Overload
This might hurt to hear, but that collection of deliberately distressed furniture is aging faster than milk left in the sun. The shabby chic era, where everything looked artificially weathered, has officially passed its expiration date.
Authentic vintage pieces with natural patina? Gorgeous! But those mass-produced items with random sanding marks and chipped paint are fooling no one.
Opt for furniture with clean lines and genuine craftsmanship that won’t make your home look like a forced rustic theme park.
5. Over-The-Top Open Shelving
Where exactly did we get the collective idea that displaying every mug, plate, and kitchen gadget was practical? Open shelving looked fantastic in staged photos but quickly became dust-collecting nightmares in real homes.
The reality of maintaining picture-perfect shelves while actually using your kitchen is exhausting. A mix of closed cabinetry with selective open shelving offers the best of both worlds.
This way, you can hide the mismatched everyday items while showcasing only your most Instagram-worthy pieces.
6. Overly Formal Living Rooms
The overly formal living room, characterized by stiff furniture arrangements and an air of untouchability, is falling out of favor. These spaces, often filled with heavy drapery and grandiose chandeliers, can feel unwelcoming and impractical for everyday life.
Modern living spaces prioritize comfort and functionality, embracing informal layouts that cater to social interaction and relaxation. Light, contemporary furniture and open plans create a welcoming atmosphere that reflects today’s lifestyle.
Transforming a formal living room into a casual, inviting space can make it a hub of activity, aligning it with the needs of modern families.
7. Matching Furniture Sets
Are you still buying your furniture in complete sets that match perfectly? That showroom-floor look is a fast track to a boring, impersonal space that lacks character and story.
The most interesting homes mix periods, styles, and textures thoughtfully. Try pairing that traditional sofa with contemporary side tables, or place a vintage chair next to a modern lamp.
Curated spaces that evolve over time feel authentic and lived-in, unlike the furniture catalog vibe that comes from buying everything at once.
8. Taxidermy Decor
Taxidermy decor, long associated with rustic and hunting-themed interiors, is increasingly seen as outdated and ethically questionable. The presence of mounted animal heads can dominate a room, creating a stark and often jarring focal point.
Today’s interior design trends favor ethical and sustainable choices, with a focus on art and decor that reflect personal values and environmental consciousness. Nature-inspired alternatives, such as botanical prints or sculptures, offer a compassionate and modern touch.
Removing taxidermy in favor of more humane and artistic expressions can refresh a space, aligning it with contemporary ethical standards.
9. Too Many Accent Walls
Though I’ve created my share of statement walls, the days of painting random walls bold colors or slapping on busy wallpaper without purpose are behind us. Accent walls often feel like halfway commitments that can make spaces feel unbalanced and choppy.
If you love a color or pattern, consider using it throughout the space in a cohesive way. Alternatively, focus on architectural features that naturally deserve emphasis rather than arbitrarily selecting a wall.
The best designs feel intentional rather than following a formula of “pick one wall and make it pop.”
10. Industrial Decor In Residential Spaces
Unless you actually live in a converted factory loft, those exposed pipes, Edison bulbs, and metal everything are starting to look like you’re trying too hard. The industrial look that dominated the 2010s has lost its edge in homes that have no industrial history.
Softening your space with organic elements creates a more comfortable, livable atmosphere. Keep a few industrial touches if you love them, but balance with textiles, plants, and warmer materials.
Remember that homes should feel homey, not like you’re sleeping in an abandoned warehouse or hipster coffee shop.
11. Glossy White Everything
The era of clinical, high-gloss white kitchens and bathrooms that require sunglasses to enter is thankfully fading. Those gleaming surfaces show every fingerprint, water spot, and dust particle, making them maintenance nightmares despite their initially clean appearance.
Matte and textured finishes are taking center stage now, offering more depth and forgiveness in daily use. Warmer whites and creams paired with natural materials create spaces that feel clean yet inviting, rather than sterile operating rooms where you happen to cook dinner.
12. Artificial Plants That Look Obviously Fake
Those dusty, plastic ficus trees fooling absolutely no one have got to go. Artificial plants with unrealistic colors and plastic-looking leaves instantly cheapen even the most expensive interior.
If plant maintenance isn’t your thing, today’s high-quality faux options can be surprisingly convincing. Better yet, consider low-maintenance real plants like snake plants, ZZ plants, or pothos that thrive with minimal attention.
Even dried or preserved natural elements bring an authentic organic texture that no plastic imitation can match.
