When it comes to home decor, trends come and go, but some styles are best left in the past. Garish color schemes and impractical furniture choices can make your home feel more like a time capsule than a cozy retreat. In contrast, some styles stand the test of time, offering elegance and comfort year after year. Dive into our list to discover which decor trends to ditch and which timeless styles to embrace.
10 Ugly Home Decor Trends That Deserve to be Forgotten
Carpeted Bathrooms
It’s a wonder how carpeted bathrooms even became a trend! Putting a whole carpet in the bathroom is unhygienic because it traps moisture and harbors bacteria that lead to mold and mildew growth. The damp environment also spoils the carpet faster, resulting in unpleasant odors. Besides, stains take longer to remove on carpet than on hard flooring.
No Color
This eyesore must be left behind because it lacks personality, warmth, and character. Spaces without sufficient colors to create contrast or interest, rooms feel dull and unattractive. Remember that you are designing a home, not a lifeless hospital room.
Fuzzy Toilet Lid Covers
Considering how much this bathroom feature has fallen out of favor, it’s time for people to yank them off and move past this outdated trend. Due to their location, they accumulate loads of dirt and bacteria. They’re also tricky to clean and maintain. Besides, their appearance often needs to match with modern and home decor styles.
Linoleum Floors
Linoleum floors are synthetic flooring made from natural materials like linseed oil and cork dust. Although their crazy patterns were the norm at some point, the limited design options, plus constant wear and tear, discouraged many homeowners. Additionally, when linoleum floors are worn, they lose their color and release a lingering odor.
Beaded Curtains
Many home decor specialists have criticized beaded curtains for being too tacky for modern interiors and lacking the simplicity desired in contemporary design. Also, their clattering noise and see-through hardly make them the ideal choice for privacy. Instead of these, minimalist and functional window treatments can give a more sophisticated look to any living space.
Word Art
Word art quickly became outdated because it needed more originality. Since the texts are mass-produced, they become impersonal, uninspiring, and way too familiar. Additionally, while the words may be okay, the fonts and colors can clash with existing decor, creating visual disagreement. If you know anyone who still has word art plastered somewhere in their home, you can advise them to take it off and move past the trend.
Open-Concept Everything
When homeowners discovered that the uninterrupted flow of space reduces their privacy, limits personal space, and creates noise issues, they quickly abandoned the trend. Besides these issues, the lack of walls limits creativity in decorating and personalizing different sections.
Rose Gold Accents
This home decor option will have to stay in the past due to overuse, lack of versatility, and a tendency to showcase the slightest signs of wear. Other timeless metal finishes, like brass or matte black, bring more sophistication to your living space. These classic decor choices give a more cohesive and stylish look that won’t quickly go out of fashion.
Low Lighting
It’s time to ditch Edison’s pathetic lighting and low-watt bulbs because they do more harm than good for aesthetics. Inadequate lighting can strain the eyes, reduce productivity, and create a gloomy atmosphere. Brighter options, such as overhead fixtures, floor lamps, or natural light, can make homes more spacious, inviting, and visually appealing.
Wood Paneling
Wood paneling now hangs on in many homes as a dated relic. Besides the maintenance headaches of warping and discoloration, its dark, heavy appearance makes spaces feel smaller. Homeowners should embrace modern design trends that lean towards light, airy spaces with more versatility in decor.
10 Evergreen Styles Ideal for Home Decor
Books
Adding books to home decor never goes out of fashion because they bring character, sophistication, and warmth to any space. They are excellent conversation starters, reflecting one’s personality and creating a welcoming atmosphere. If you’re a fan of visual displays, you can arrange books by color. You can also stack them by size on a table or shelf to make your room look organized.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are more durable and complement various interior decor styles due to their classic look. Their natural beauty adds essence to a home. They’re also easier to clean and maintain, making them the ideal option for busy households.
Artwork
Art can evoke emotions, tell stories, and spark conversations, adding depth and character to any space. Through paintings, sculptures, or prints, artwork enhances a room’s aesthetics and reflects its owner’s personality. You can check out thrift stores for sculptures, hang a friend’s drawing, or even create a gallery wall of your artwork or DIY projects.
White Bedding
Since white easily matches any color scheme, this bedding color can create a fresh and inviting atmosphere in any room. Its simplicity gives off a sense of cleanliness and serenity. If you’re worried about white being boring, you can customize your bed with various throw pillows and blankets to change the look.
Marble
Marble is among the few home decor elements that stand the test of time. Marble countertops, for instance, have a natural beauty that gives a space a classy and sophisticated look. They’re also durable and scratch-resistant, with varying colors and patterns for different styles.
Stone Fireplace
Stone’s natural textures add a vintage charm and positive atmosphere to a space. Home decor experts maintain that a stone fireplace’s sturdy build makes a room look more classy and sophisticated. Beyond aesthetic value, stone fireplaces radiate heat, which gives warmth during colder seasons since stone can trap heat longer.
Vintage Pieces
Items like wood furniture, decorated mirrors, antique lamps, and delicate porcelain are all vintage classics that bring nostalgia, character, and history to a space. Those with distinct craftsmanship and unique stories stand the test of time. Likewise, they blend well with modern elements because genuine art always stays relevant.
Layered Lighting
This style allows the homeowner to customize the lighting based on mood or activity by combining different lighting sources. It also adds depth and personality to a room. You can combine lighting yourself! Use a primary light source in a room for overall illumination. Get light for specific activities such as reading, cooking, or working. Then, add accent lighting to highlight particular features such as artworks, architectural details, or decorative objects.
Exposed Brick
The charm of exposed bricks matches various design aesthetics, including modern and traditional. This feature makes it a timeless style for home decor. It also adds character, warmth, and texture to a space. With proper maintenance, the raw beauty of bricks can create an authentic atmosphere.
Striped Furniture
Furniture helps to complement home decor, even in minimalist settings. While many choose leather or matching colors, striped pieces are more sophisticated. They fit various decor styles and create a striking focal point without overwhelming the space. When styled right, the contrast of stripes adds depth and dimension to a room, making it feel more vibrant.
