These 11 Georgia Decor Picks Are Losing Charm Fast, And 5 That Never Really Worked
Georgia homes have seen their fair share of decorating trends come and go over the years. Some design choices that once seemed like brilliant ideas now look sadly outdated, while others were questionable from the start.
Whether you’re renovating an older Georgia home or just looking to refresh your space, knowing which decor elements have lost their luster can save you from making costly design mistakes.
1. Brass Ceiling Medallions
Once upon a time, no Georgia dining room was complete without a shiny brass ceiling medallion. These ornate discs surrounding light fixtures were meant to add elegance but now look like relics from another era.
Brass medallions often paired with crystal chandeliers in formal dining spaces, creating a look that was supposed to be sophisticated. The metallic finish inevitably tarnished, leaving an uneven patina that’s more eyesore than accent.
Modern Georgia homes have embraced simpler, more subtle ceiling treatments that don’t compete with lighting fixtures.
2. Chintz Slipcovers
How quickly those floral patterns that once covered every surface in southern homes have fallen from grace! Chintz slipcovers with their glossy finish and busy patterns were practically mandatory in traditional Georgia homes.
Grandmothers across the state protected their formal living room furniture with these floral fabrics, often in pastel colors with roses, vines, and ribbons. The slipcovers frequently coordinated with equally busy curtains and throw pillows.
Today’s Georgia homeowners prefer washable, neutral slipcovers that allow for seasonal accent changes without committing to a garden explosion.
3. Overstuffed Wingback Chairs
Those massive throne-like chairs that dominated Georgia living rooms are quickly losing their appeal. Bulky and often upholstered in heavy fabrics, these seating dinosaurs eat up valuable floor space.
Wingback chairs became status symbols in traditional southern homes, typically placed by fireplaces or in reading nooks. Their overwhelming size and formal appearance feel stuffy and unwelcoming compared to today’s more casual seating options.
Contemporary Georgia interiors favor lighter, more versatile chairs that can move around as needed for conversation or entertaining.
4. Wallpaper Borders
Nothing dates a Georgia home faster than those thin strips of wallpaper running along the ceiling line. Wallpaper borders were once the budget-friendly way to add character without committing to full wall coverage.
Georgia homeowners embraced borders featuring everything from country geese to ivy vines to peach motifs. These narrow bands of pattern typically crowned dining rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, often coordinating with window valances and hand towels.
The modern approach favors clean lines and statement walls rather than these fussy horizontal interruptions that visually chop up rooms.
5. Faux Tuscan Wall Finishes
Did your dining room once transport you to an Italian villa? Those sponged, ragged, and color-washed walls that were supposed to evoke Mediterranean charm now just look tired and artificial.
Georgia homeowners embraced these textured finishes in warm terracotta, gold, and olive tones during the Tuscan craze of the early 2000s. Entire rooms were transformed with faux finishing techniques, often accompanied by wrought iron accessories and heavy wooden furniture.
Today’s wall treatments lean toward clean paint colors or subtle textured wallpapers that don’t try so hard to create an illusion.
6. Exposed Oak Trim
Though once the pride of Georgia homeowners, that honey-colored oak trim around doors, windows, and floors has lost its appeal. The yellowish tone clashes with most modern color schemes and immediately signals an outdated space.
Oak trim and molding dominated homes built in the 80s and 90s, often paired with matching oak cabinets and furniture. The grain pattern and color were considered marks of quality and craftsmanship at the time.
Contemporary Georgia interiors favor painted trim in white or soft neutrals that create a cleaner, more cohesive look throughout the home.
7. Gilded Picture Frames
Where did all those ornate gold frames displaying family portraits and landscape paintings go? Once considered elegant, these heavy, baroque-style frames have fallen out of favor in Georgia homes.
Gilded frames were status symbols in traditional southern interiors, often displaying formal family portraits or reproductions of classical paintings. Their elaborate scrollwork and shiny finish demanded attention on gallery walls or above mantels.
Modern framing choices tend toward simple, clean-lined frames that let the artwork speak for itself rather than competing with ornate surroundings.
8. Blue And White China Displays
Those collections of blue and white porcelain that once filled Georgia china cabinets are gathering dust as tastes evolve. Entire shelves dedicated to Spode, Wedgwood, and various willow patterns have become visual clutter rather than elegant displays.
Southern hostesses prized these collections, often starting them with wedding gifts and adding pieces over decades. The blue and white color scheme was considered timeless and coordinated with traditional dining room decor.
Today’s approach favors more curated displays with fewer, more meaningful pieces rather than overwhelming collections of matching items.
9. Plastic Magnolia Wreaths
Those shiny fake magnolia wreaths that adorned countless Georgia front doors are wilting in popularity. With their artificially glossy leaves and often dusty appearance, these once-standard decorations now look obviously fake.
Magnolia wreaths symbolized southern hospitality and were considered elegant year-round door decor. Their waxy plastic leaves were meant to mimic the real thing but inevitably faded and collected grime.
Today’s Georgia homes feature more seasonal front door decorations using fresh materials or higher-quality faux elements that don’t try to impersonate the state flower so poorly.
10. Brassy Candle Sconces
Those wall-mounted brass candle holders that once lined Georgia dining room walls are losing their shine. Often featuring mirrored backplates to amplify candlelight, these fixtures now look like relics from a bygone era.
Brassy sconces were considered elegant additions to formal dining spaces and hallways. Homeowners would dust them regularly and occasionally light real candles for special occasions, though most remained purely decorative.
Modern wall decor tends toward artwork or more streamlined lighting options that don’t collect dust or require special polishing to maintain.
11. Quilt Wall Hangings
Hanging grandma’s quilt on the wall seemed like a good idea at the time. These textile displays that were meant to honor family heritage often ended up as dust collectors that faded unevenly in Georgia’s abundant sunshine.
Quilt wall hangings became popular as a way to preserve and showcase family heirlooms or to add a touch of folksy charm to family rooms and bedrooms. Special hanging systems were sold to display these heavy textiles properly.
Contemporary Georgia homes treat quilts as functional items for beds rather than wall art, preserving their condition and allowing for better art choices on walls.
12. Faux Grapevine Wine Racks
Those twisted grapevine-shaped wine holders that once graced Georgia kitchen counters have aged about as well as open wine left out overnight. Meant to evoke vineyard charm, these decorative racks often held bottles at angles that compromised the wine itself.
Grapevine wine racks became popular during the Tuscan kitchen trend, offering a decorative way to display wine bottles. Their rustic appearance was meant to add character to kitchen decor.
Modern Georgia homes favor proper wine storage that protects the investment rather than decorative holders that prioritize looks over functionality.
13. Ruffled Bed Skirts
Ruffled bed skirts conjure images of romantic Southern bedrooms, full of charm and whimsy. Their layers add a playful texture, reminiscent of classic Georgian homes. Yet, in today’s streamlined decor world, ruffles are losing their foothold.
The preference now is for sleek and tailored bed skirts that complement the clean lines of modern bedding. The simplicity of these designs offers a sophisticated look that many find more appealing.
For those who love the romantic flair of ruffles, consider using them sparingly. Perhaps in decorative pillows or other small touches, to keep the spirit alive without overwhelming the room.
14. Faux Marble Columns
Remember when everyone wanted their suburban ranch to feel like a Greek temple? Those plastic-looking columns that once screamed ‘luxury’ now just scream ‘dated.’
Faux marble columns became popular in Georgia homes during the McMansion boom of the 90s and early 2000s. Homeowners installed them between living and dining spaces, flanking fireplaces, or even in bathrooms.
Today’s design sensibilities favor authenticity and clean lines over these imposing architectural elements that collect dust and make rooms feel smaller.
15. Magnolia-Print Wallpaper
Just because magnolias grow beautifully in Georgia doesn’t mean they should cover your walls. Those large-scale floral wallpapers featuring the state flower quickly overwhelmed rooms and dated themselves almost immediately.
Magnolia wallpaper became popular as a way to bring southern charm indoors, especially in dining rooms and powder rooms. The oversized blooms and dark green leaves created a bold statement that was difficult to coordinate with other elements.
Modern Georgia interiors favor subtler botanical references through artwork or accent pieces rather than committing entire walls to a single flower motif.
16. Resin Dog Statues
Those life-sized golden retrievers and hunting dogs cast in resin never quite achieved the sophisticated look Georgia homeowners were aiming for. Positioned by fireplaces or front doors, these faux pets collected dust and confused actual dogs.
Resin animal statues became popular as a way to express love for certain breeds without the mess of real pets. Often painted in unrealistic colors or with glossy finishes, they failed to capture the charm of the animals they represented.
Contemporary decor favors actual pet-friendly spaces rather than frozen replicas that serve no practical purpose and require regular dusting.
