Outdated Home Trends We Hope Never to See Again
56 Outdated Home Trends We Hope Never to See Again
Trends come and go, but style is eternal—so the saying goes. However, to dismiss the whims of passing fads is to overlook the value of turning things on their head every now and again. That said, some fads should be just that—passing. In fact, it’s almost unbelievable some of these interior design trends actually took off (think word art and wall-to-furniture florals) while others timeless classics that will surely resurface in new and interesting ways. Whatever the case, there's a clear shift this year away from the neutral-paletted, minimalistic home, in search of something perhaps less definable. "People are moving away from spaces without personality, incorporating patterns and rich colors with antiques, curated collections, and heritage pieces," says York Wallcoverings trend and color expert Carol Miller. "And in fact, specific style types are beginning to meld rather than leave. We are keeping what we want and toning down the specifics of style categories."
So whether you maintain that you will always love that vintage avocado green sofa you thrifted, or relish the opportunity to try something new, it’s always a bit of fun to look back at what trends are considered totally out of touch today. And if you've determined these are your forever pieces no matter what the people say, more power to you!
Tile Countertops
Tile countertops were all the rage in the 1970s, but if you'd like to keep your space current, it's best to leave this trend behind. Plus, it's difficult to clean, so avoid the stress and stick with statement marble or stone.
Shag Carpet
We know, we know. Shag carpets feel wonderful underfoot, but they miss the mark when it comes to making a space look stylish. Stick to low-pile carpets for a more modern aesthetic.
Wood Paneling
It might have been fabulous in the '70s, but in 2021, avoid wood paneling at all costs. It typically makes a room look dreary and dated — and nobody should settle for this type of environment.
Linoleum Flooring
Whether it's used in a kitchen or dining area, the practicality of linoleum might be worth foregoing for something less tacky like wood or tile.
Terrazzo
If you don't want your home to take on the aesthetic of an office building, stay away from terrazzo. It was a popular design choice in the U.S. between 1930 and 1970, but now designers tend to favor materials like granite and marble.
Tiffany Lamps
This is a tough one, but in most cases, your best bet is to do away with this famed light fixture. A Tiffany lamp tends to look either too fussy or reminiscent of certain bars trapped in the '80s. While the stained glass is lovely, the light they put out can be dim, too. Plus, there are a slew of other lighting styles on the market that can easily add a a touch of elegance to a room.
Millennial Pink
Yes, it's time to accept that millennial pink is no longer on-trend. For a fresh look, consider hues like yellows or muted green tones, which can work well across a range of design styles.
Word Art
There's no shortage of wood art at home decor stores, but that doesn't mean it's the best choice for your home. Rather than settle for a generic piece of word art, take the time to choose something more meaningful that speaks to your aesthetic.
Futons
Now that your dorm days are over, it's time to toss your futon. Instead, opt for a traditional sofa style such as a loveseat.
Fast Furniture
You've probably heard of "fast fashion," which refers to clothing that is a factory-made, much cheaper version of what's currently on the runway. The equivalent in home decor is "fast furniture," which is an inexpensive design that you essentially buy knowing that you'll toss it in a few seasons...or the next time you move. These easy-to-assemble (and even easier to afford) designs really blew up in the mid-1980s and have been going strong since.
Although it can be a great way to save money, there's a reason that antiquing and repurposing old furniture has been having a major moment. Recycling and reusing existing decor allows you to reduce waste and also collect pieces that are special and have their own story.
Nautical Motifs
It's time to sail far, far away from this cheesy trend. Anchors, sailor's rope and seashells belong on the actual beach, not in your living room. You can achieve beachy vibes without being too obvious, by picking a color palette inspired by your beautiful surroundings, or including subtle decor elements like coral and driftwood.
Edison Bulbs
Every coffee shop from Brooklyn to Portland has these antique-style lights hanging from the ceiling, and we're over it. If you want to be more than just a hipster with harsh lighting, opt for statement lighting like a chandelier instead. Even Thomas Edison himself would agree.
Tufted Headboards
Tufted furniture is centuries old, but it no longer has the glam feel it once did. Now, it just looks a little stuffy — and if you want a statement headboard, why not commit to something that actually makes a statement (instead of blending in with your mattress)?
Tuscan Kitchens
This style was everywhere in the early 2000s, and we can certainly see its appeal. Today's kitchens, however, focus on creating a light, airy place to cook, rather than emulating a dark Italian villa.
Damask
Is it a floral? Is it chintz? No, it's damask, which was a pattern found on everything from wallpaper to curtains in the 90s. If you still have this in your home, try an update of large, statement blooms instead.
Wallpaper Borders
Whether it runs through the middle of a nursery as it does here, or trims the top of your wall, this trend should stop short anytime after the 90s. Try one of these fashionable (and super fun) wallpaper trends instead.
Matching Window Valances
When the window valances match the curtains and those match the furniture, you know you've time traveled to an earlier decade. Swap boxy for elegant with updated, modern curtains.
Mason Jar Mania
Admittedly, this may still be a trend. Since the 90s, mason jars have been heralded as the answer to all home needs: candle holders, salad containers, soap dispensers—the list goes on. Now, however, a new appreciation is blossoming for artisan goods like hand-crafted vases, meaning mason jars can go back to their original job of canning preserves.
Wicker Furniture
Yes, this will forever be an anchor for your poolside patio. But saturating your interiors with wicker furniture as the world did in the 80s and 90s is no longer necessary. Play with color by investing in a bright sofa instead.
Dusty Pastels
Nothing screams "old" quite like a dusty pastel. In the '80s, all pastels were dusty blue or dusty pink — giving them that perpetual just-not-quite-clean look. While we've seen this throwback palette come back among Instagram influencers, the real-life vibe still seems a bit too 1980s.
Hollywood Mirror Lights
Yes, you're a star. But that doesn't mean you need to be blinded by this 90s trend every morning. Bathroom lighting today is softer and more delicate than these harsh bulbs.
Avocado Green And Harvest Gold
These two calm colors were staples of the '70s as the country recovered from the Vietnam War. Now, however, the color combo can come off as drab and, naturally, outdated.
Granite Overload
In the early 2000s, we witnessed a single-material overload, which often involved way too much dark granite in kitchens. Today, accents tend to be more effective, and a minimalist modern aesthetic with lighter materials is often preferred.
Ferns Everywhere
It's a beautiful plant, but you don't need one in every room. In the '90s and '00s, these plants took over homes — and there's no need to make your living room look like a greenhouse. (Plus, just think of all that watering.)
Plaid on plaid on plaid
While we certainly hold that plaid is forever (viva Ralph Lauren!), we'd wager that some plaid combinations have had their moment. You know you've gone plaid happy when you feel like you are in a criss-crossing kaleidoscope. Unless you're breaking the rules intentionally (which, we're not judging over here), we'd say that sticking to small doses is key.
Pine Furniture
Don't get us wrong, an occasional pine accent is fine and dandy. But in the '80s and '90s, it was just about everywhere, from bookshelves to dressers to chests.
Avocado Fridge
Continuing the avocado green and harvest gold theme, refrigerators in the 1970s seemingly reflected what was inside them — avocados. It's a fun concept, but its charm is preserved in that decade.
Vertical Blinds
Not only are these, well, annoying to open and close, but they're also a relic of the past. Invest in beautiful curtains for an eye-catching element in the room.
Bean Bag Chairs
Oh, hello '90s. Though this may have been a handy chair to eat a slice of pizza in between college courses, it should never leave a dorm room. Still, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort: Try a comfy reading chair instead.
Giant Silk Plants
While there may be some very pretty silk flowers and faux branches out there, the look still can feel like something out of a catering hall. Treat yourself to real bouquet flowers.
Sponge Walls
Homeowners in the '90s started getting crafty, but unfortunately, that often meant swapping carefully painted walls for, er, sponge painting. Though it created "texture," we can't help but appreciate today's chic, bold and sponge-free look instead.
Glass Blocks
In years past, glass blocks were used to let light shine into a shower area without sacrificing privacy. Now, however, they just feel like something out of Miami Vice.
Popcorn Ceiling
Oh, popcorn ceilings. Shall we agree that the only place popcorn belongs is buttered and in the movie theatre? Instead, consider painting your ceiling in a striking hue.
Ruffled Bedskirts
Granted, just about everything in the '80s was ruffled, from curtains to skirts. But the ruffled bedskirts? That's true turn-of-the-century fashion. Now, beds tend to opt for minimalist, chic bedskirts — or none at all.
Fake Fruit
Although there was something satisfying about pinching those rubber grapes throughout the 90s, the dust that collected on them wasn't as fun. Faux has been traded for fresh with the growing popularity of eating green and shopping local farmer's markets.
Heavy Headboards
While headboards of the past were heavy wood giants, today, they're often more minimalist or don't exist at all. (Canopies, on the other hand, reign as an evergreen decor staple.)
Floral Everything
The '80s loved florals and that meant putting the pattern on just about everything. In modern design, florals are more thoughtfully used as accent patterns.
Lace Tablecloths
Often, these traditional tablecloths were paired with plastic (you know, to protect the lace). While in small doses a little lace can be pretty, in most cases, they tend to be outdated compared to the more modern, colorful tablecloths of today.
Lace Doilies
While we're on the subject of lace, just ditch the lace doilies, too. Especially when paired with a floral tablecloth, they simply read "too much."
Window Valances
There's something about valances on their own that makes a space look like it's decades behind. To add a modern focal point to a room, opt for chic roman shades or an understated sheer shading.
Chintz Fabric
Maximalism is currently on-trend, so a well-placed chintz chair or couch can work — but don't overdo it. The head-to-toe chintz explosion that people opted for in the '80s can make a room feel dated.
Chrome Accents
A hint of chrome looked clean and sleek in the 1930s, but the material today is often associated with torchiere lights, cheap tables and other first apartment decor choices.
Bold Modern Prints
There were a lot of things in the '60s that were cringe-worthy, but bright, bold patterns that covered rooms from floor to ceiling was one of the worst offenders.
Colored Cabinets
We still can't figure out why someone thought burnt orange or pea green cabinetry was a good idea and we're happy to keep this trend in the past. Since cabinetry is a difficult element to change out, keep your choice classic.
Silk Bedding
There's something about silk bedding that feels straight out of an old music video. If you love sleeping on silk, opt for a silk pillowcase mixed with a different texture for your duvet instead.
Zebra Rugs
Before there was cowhide, there were zebra rugs. They gave rooms an exotic flair in the '70s, but the animal print rug tends to look more cheesy than worldly in 2019.
Curio Cabinets
Curio cabinets were used to display anything from one's prized chachkies to their fine china—but both of which seem passé in 2019.
Matching Wallpaper and Carpeting
There's nothing more '70s than a floor-to-ceiling green bedroom. It used to be all the rage to coordinate carpeting with wallpaper, but that trend has passed.
Monograms
Monograms hark back to a different time, and more often than not, don't feel modern in home decor today.
Oversized Leather Sofas
Leather furniture had a resurgence in the '70s and made a real comeback in the early 2000s. While leather is a material that'll never go out of style, the heaviness of an oversized design isn't in fashion anymore.
Platform Beds
Platform beds might seem impractical, but for some reason they were a major trend in the '70s. Here's hoping that this is one trend that stays in the past for good.
Ceiling Mirrors
There was a time when ceiling mirrors were considered chic — even Gloria Vanderbilt had one! But in 2021, this look often comes off as cheesy.
Wooden Countertops
Pine wood countertops with bright, bold cabinets will instantly make you feel like you've stepped onto the set of a '70s sitcom.
Conversation Pits
Conversation pits were a place where the dinner party would typically end in the '70s. But this is one living room configuration we don't see making a comeback anytime soon. (Just think of the vacuuming.)
Please and thank you.