13 Design Features In Utah Homes That May Fade Away

Utah homes have seen their fair share of design trends come and go over the years.

Right now, we’re witnessing a major shift as homeowners and builders move away from certain styles that once dominated the Beehive State’s interior landscape.

If you’re planning a renovation or building a new home, you might want to think twice about these fading trends that experts say are on their way out.

1. Cool Gray Minimalism

The cool gray color palette that took Utah homes by storm is finally losing its grip. For years, these chilly tones dominated everything from walls to furniture, promising a clean, modern aesthetic.

Homeowners are now craving warmth and personality instead of the sterile, almost clinical feel that cool grays often create. The pendulum is swinging toward warmer neutrals like beige, taupe, and even soft browns that bring comfort and coziness to living spaces.

If your home is still decked out in cool grays, consider introducing warmer elements through textiles, wood tones, or even a fresh coat of paint in a creamier shade to breathe new life into your space.

2. All-White Kitchens

The pristine all-white kitchen that once reigned supreme in Utah homes is gradually fading into the background. While these kitchens photograph beautifully for real estate listings, many homeowners have discovered they’re impractical for everyday family life.

Stains show up instantly on white surfaces, and the clinical atmosphere lacks the warmth many families now crave. The trend is shifting toward two-tone kitchens with natural wood elements, colored islands, or lower cabinets in contrasting shades.

Designers across the state are introducing warmer elements like brass hardware, wood open shelving, and colorful backsplashes to break up the monotony while maintaining a clean aesthetic that still feels distinctly Utah.

3. Tuscan Overload

Heavy Tuscan-inspired decor that once dominated Utah’s upscale neighborhoods is rapidly disappearing. Those ornate scrollwork cabinets, faux-finished walls, and dark Mediterranean color schemes that were all the rage in the early 2000s now feel dated and overwhelming.

Homeowners are stripping away the heavy wrought iron, travertine tile, and dark cherry cabinetry in favor of cleaner lines and lighter finishes. The trend toward simplification means those decorative grape motifs and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures are being replaced.

If your home still sports this Old World style, consider keeping just a few statement pieces while updating the rest. A lighter wall color and simplified decor can transform the space without completely erasing its character.

4. 1990s Farmhouse Style

The mass-produced farmhouse look that swept through Utah neighborhoods is showing serious signs of fatigue. Those ubiquitous “Live, Laugh, Love” signs, shiplap walls, and barn doors on every possible opening are quickly becoming design clichés rather than charming accents.

Homeowners are moving away from the cookie-cutter farmhouse elements toward more authentic, personalized interpretations of rustic style. The trend is shifting toward incorporating just a few carefully chosen vintage pieces with real history and character.

If you still love the farmhouse aesthetic, try evolving toward what designers call “modern farmhouse” keeping the clean lines and comfortable feel while ditching the mass-produced signage and overly distressed furniture that screams “I bought this entire room at a big box store.”

5. Cherry Wood & Granite

The cherry wood cabinets paired with speckled granite countertops that dominated Utah kitchens for decades are rapidly becoming relics of the past. This once-premium combination now instantly dates a home to the early 2000s, making spaces feel dark and heavy compared to today’s lighter aesthetics.

Homeowners are replacing these materials with lighter woods or painted cabinets and countertops with subtler patterns. Quartz has largely taken granite’s place as the countertop material of choice, offering a cleaner look and easier maintenance.

If a complete kitchen overhaul isn’t in your budget, consider painting just the cabinets and updating hardware. Even this relatively simple change can dramatically transform the space and bring it into the current decade.

6. Open Shelving Everywhere

The trend of replacing upper cabinets with open shelving throughout the entire kitchen is quickly losing steam in Utah homes. While it looks fantastic in staged photos, the reality of living with completely exposed dishes and glassware in our dusty desert climate has proven impractical for many families.

Homeowners are discovering that maintaining picture-perfect shelves requires constant attention and curation. The new approach favors a more balanced design with some closed storage for everyday items and perhaps just one or two open shelving sections for display pieces.

If you jumped on the open shelving bandwagon, consider a hybrid approach. Keep a few open shelves for your most attractive dishes and glassware, while adding cabinet doors to others for a more maintenance-friendly kitchen that still maintains visual interest.

7. Single‑Tone Outdoor Concrete

Plain gray concrete patios, driveways, and walkways are rapidly disappearing from Utah’s outdoor spaces. Our state’s dramatic natural landscapes demand more thoughtful outdoor designs that complement rather than detract from the surrounding beauty.

Homeowners are upgrading to stamped, stained, or textured concrete that mimics natural stone. These techniques add visual interest while better withstanding Utah’s extreme temperature fluctuations that often crack plain concrete over time.

Mixing materials is also gaining popularity, with concrete being combined with pavers, flagstone, or gravel to create more dynamic outdoor living spaces. This approach not only looks more intentional but can also help with drainage issues common in Utah’s occasional heavy rainstorms and spring runoff.

8. Industrial-Heavy Interiors

The industrial aesthetic that once dominated Utah’s urban lofts and even suburban homes is gradually being softened and scaled back. Those exposed ductwork, concrete floors, and metal fixtures that once signaled urban sophistication now often feel cold and unwelcoming.

Homeowners are maintaining some industrial elements but balancing them with softer textures and natural materials. The harsh all-metal-and-concrete look is giving way to spaces that incorporate wood, textiles, and plants to create more livable environments.

If your home leans heavily industrial, try introducing area rugs, wooden furniture pieces, and abundant greenery to warm things up. The goal is to create a space that feels intentional rather than unfinished a common criticism of industrial interiors that went too far with the “raw” aesthetic.

9. Eclectic Maximalism

The anything-goes approach to decorating that embraced clashing patterns and crowded shelves is losing favor in Utah homes. This style, which often resulted in visually chaotic spaces filled with trinkets and mismatched furniture, is being replaced by more intentional design choices.

Homeowners are learning that “eclectic” doesn’t have to mean “cluttered.” The new approach focuses on curating meaningful collections rather than accumulating random decor. Spaces are becoming more breathable, with carefully selected statement pieces given room to shine.

If you love your eclectic style but want to update it, try the “edit and elevate” approach. Remove about half your decorative items, group similar pieces together, and create negative space around your favorite items so they can be properly appreciated rather than lost in visual noise.

10. Faux Olive Trees

Those massive faux olive trees that suddenly appeared in every Utah living room corner are quickly becoming the design equivalent of yesterday’s news. While they initially offered a low-maintenance way to bring Mediterranean flair indoors, their ubiquity has rendered them more cliché than chic.

Homeowners are replacing these predictable artificial plants with either real indoor trees suited to Utah’s dry climate or more unique artificial options. Desert-friendly live plants like fiddle leaf figs, rubber plants, and various palms are taking center stage instead.

If you invested in a faux olive tree, consider moving it to a less prominent position or swapping it for something that makes more sense in our mountain desert environment. Native plants or those that naturally thrive in our climate create a more authentic connection to place.

11. Bouclé Fabric Frenzy

The bouclé fabric explosion that covered Utah sofas, chairs, and ottomans in nubby, sheep-like texture is already showing signs of becoming a short-lived trend rather than a lasting design choice. While initially celebrated for adding texture and interest, the material has become so overused that it’s losing its special appeal.

Many homeowners have discovered that bouclé, especially in lighter colors, is difficult to maintain in family homes with children and pets. The fabric’s loops catch easily and can pull, making it less practical for everyday use in active Utah households.

If you recently invested in bouclé furniture, don’t panic just avoid adding more pieces in this fabric. Balance your existing bouclé item with smoother textures and different materials to create a more timeless look that won’t scream “2022” in a few years.

12. Fabric Vertical Blinds

Those flimsy fabric vertical blinds that once covered sliding glass doors throughout Utah are disappearing faster than snow in April. These outdated window treatments not only look cheap but are notoriously difficult to clean in our dusty climate and frequently break or warp with regular use.

Homeowners are replacing them with more substantial options like panel track systems, sliding panels, or even simple traverse rod draperies. These alternatives offer better light control, improved insulation against Utah’s temperature extremes, and a more current aesthetic.

For those still living with vertical blinds, the good news is that almost any replacement will be an improvement. Even inexpensive roller shades or ready-made curtains can dramatically update the look of your space while providing better functionality for Utah’s sunny days and cold winters.

13. “Builder Beige” Exteriors

The sea of identical beige stucco homes that has defined many Utah neighborhoods for decades is finally giving way to more varied and thoughtful exterior designs. Homeowners and builders alike are recognizing that these one-note exteriors fail to complement our state’s dramatic landscapes and don’t reflect the personality of those living inside.

The trend is moving toward homes with mixed materials like stone accents, wood elements, and more varied color palettes. Even in neighborhoods with strict HOAs, subtle variations in texture and tone are being introduced to create more visual interest.

If you’re stuck with a beige box, consider adding architectural details like shutters, changing out the front door for something with character, or incorporating landscaping that draws attention away from the monotonous exterior. Even small changes can help your home stand out from the beige brigade.