17 Old-School Decor Trends You’re Still Holding On To—And Why You Need to Let Go
Home decor styles are always changing, just like fashion. If you don’t keep up with new trends, your home can start to feel old and boring. What once felt stylish can suddenly seem out of place and make your space feel less cozy or welcoming. To help you refresh your home, we’ll show you which outdated decor trends to avoid and how to give your space a more modern feel.
Popcorn Ceilings
Once famous for their acoustic properties, popcorn ceilings have fallen out of favor due to their outdated appearance and difficulty in cleaning. To avoid this design, opt for smooth ceilings or cover popcorn ceilings with a fresh coat of paint or ceiling treatment for a modern look.
Carpeted Bathrooms
Carpeted bathrooms might feel cozy initially, but they’re impractical and can quickly become a breeding ground for germs. Instead, Go for waterproof flooring; options such as tile or vinyl are a more intelligent choice, as they’re easier to clean and maintain. Plus, they offer better protection against moisture, ensuring a more hygienic bathroom environment in the long run.
Tuscan-Inspired Decor
The heavy faux finishes, wrought iron accents, and ornate furniture commonly found in Tuscan-inspired decor can give a room a cluttered and outdated vibe. To avoid this trend, consider embracing design styles that stand the test of time and suit your preferences. Choose decor that showcases your unique personality while offering versatility and lasting appeal.
Plastic Furniture
Plastic furniture has become outdated due to its negative environmental impact and lack of durability and aesthetic appeal. Moreover, plastic furniture degrades quickly, becoming brittle and unattractive over time. To replace this outdated trend, consider investing in sustainable and durable alternatives such as furniture made from reclaimed wood, bamboo, or recycled materials. These options offer longevity and align with eco-conscious design principles, ensuring a more environmentally friendly and stylish approach to furnishing your space.
Beaded Curtains
Beaded curtains might have had their moment back in the day, but let’s be honest: They’re not exactly cutting it in today’s modern homes. If you’re looking for a more stylish and practical option, consider classic window treatments like curtains or blinds. Not only do they offer privacy, but they also add a touch of elegance to your space without the dated vibe of beaded curtains.
Word Art or Quotes on Walls
Inspirational quotes may seem like a fantastic idea for sprucing up your walls, but truthfully, they can sometimes be overused and tacky. If you’re looking for a more meaningful and visually appealing option, consider hanging up artwork or photographs that speak to your unique personality instead. This way, you can add a personal touch to your space while avoiding the risk of your decor needing to be more balanced and updated.
Shag Carpeting
Shag carpeting was all the rage back in the 1970s, but nowadays, it’s seen as outdated and a hassle to keep clean. If you’re looking for a flooring option that’s both modern and easy to maintain, think about going for low-pile carpeting or hardwood floors instead. These choices not only freshen up your space but also make it easier to keep dust and dirt under control.
Animal Print Covering Every Surface
Animal print can add some flair to your decor, but it’s essential to do just what is necessary and avoid your room looking overly bold. To keep things stylish, consider using animal print as a subtle accent rather than covering every surface. This way, you can still achieve that touch of wildness without going overboard and overwhelming the space.
Plastic Blinds
Plastic blinds might appear practical but can leave your windows dull and uninspired. If you want a more stylish and refined look, consider swapping them out for fabric curtains. These alternatives add warmth and texture to your space and elevate the overall aesthetic, giving your windows a more polished appearance.
Boxy Furnishing
Boxy furnishings refer to pieces with square or angular shapes lacking fluidity and elegance. This trend often results in an overly rigid and uninviting atmosphere within a home. Boxy furnishings can make a space feel cramped and sterile, lacking warmth and personality. Additionally, they may need to align with the natural flow of a room, creating awkward layouts and obstructing pathways. Opting for more organic, curved designs can help soften the aesthetic and promote a more comfortable and visually appealing environment in your home.
Tiled Countertops
While once popular, tiled countertops have fallen out of favor due to several drawbacks. Firstly, the grout lines between tiles can be challenging to clean, often accumulating dirt and grime, making maintenance a hassle. Additionally, the seams between tiles can be prone to cracking and chipping over time, leading to a less durable and aesthetically pleasing surface. Opting for materials like granite, quartz, or solid surface options can offer better durability, easier maintenance, and a more modern aesthetic for your kitchen or bathroom countertops.
Ditch the Clutter: Embrace Clean, Curated Style
Say goodbye to clutter and welcome the clean, curated style into your home. This shift emphasizes simplicity and thoughtfully selected decor items that enhance the overall aesthetic. Decluttering your space creates a sense of openness and tranquility, allowing each piece to shine. Embracing curated style means being intentional about what you display, opting for quality over quantity. With this approach, you’ll enjoy a more organized space and elevate your home’s ambiance.
Overly Matchy-Matchy Furniture Sets
Overly matchy-matchy furniture sets can detract from the character and charm of a room, resulting in a stale and uninspired aesthetic. When every piece of furniture matches perfectly, it can create a sense of uniformity that lacks personality and depth. Furthermore, it may give the impression that the room’s design was assembled hastily or without consideration for individual style preferences. By incorporating a mix of styles, materials, and finishes, you can add visual interest and dimension to the space, creating a more dynamic and inviting atmosphere.
Overcrowding Surfaces with Too Many Decorative Items
Overcrowding surfaces with too many decorative items is a big no-no because it leads to visual clutter and disrupts the flow of a room. When surfaces are overwhelmed with decor, it becomes challenging for the eye to focus and appreciate individual pieces. Additionally, excessive decorations can make it difficult to keep surfaces clean and organized, creating a sense of chaos in the space. By avoiding overcrowding, you allow each decorative item to shine and meaningfully impact the overall aesthetic.
Traditional Furniture
Traditional furniture is considered outdated because it often features ornate and heavy designs that can make a space feel dated and overly formal. This style typically includes dark, heavy wood finishes and intricate detailing, giving a room a heavy, closed-in feeling. As modern design trends tend to favor clean lines, lighter finishes, and a more open and airy feel, traditional furniture can clash with the contemporary aesthetic many homeowners want.
Accent Walls
Painting one wall a bold color was trendy for a while, but it can make a room feel disjointed. A cohesive color scheme looks much more harmonious. Instead of one bold wall, try using different shades of your favorite color throughout the space. This ties everything together and feels more balanced. Accent walls can sometimes make a room feel smaller. Using color evenly will help make your space look bigger and more inviting.
Fake Plants
Fake plants can end up looking dusty and cheap, which isn’t the vibe you want for your home. Try swapping them out for real plants to bring in some natural beauty and freshness. If you’re not a green thumb, opt for high-quality faux plants that look more realistic. They’ll add a touch of life to your space without the maintenance. Also, real or realistic plants can really elevate the overall aesthetic of your home.
More For You
Summer is here, and we are all going to enjoy plenty of sunshine outdoors. There is no better way to start the summer fun than from your own house! Here are some outdoor living ideas you can implement to get your house summer-ready.
This article was first published on RB ITALIA Blog.
