15 Home Decor Trends That Are On Their Way Out

There are certain home decor trends that scream of decades past—like wood paneling and shag carpet—that have (thankfully) been left in the past where they belong.

But there are other trends that might have been popular in recent years, but are definitely on their way out—and if you want to create a modern, sophisticated feel in your home, you’ll need to leave them in the past along with the Miami Vice-inspired color palettes.

Here are the 15 home decor trends to leave in the past for a modern, sophisticated home:

1. Everything industrial

The industrial trend had its moment, but it’s gotten out of hand. Too much exposed brick, piping, metal, and Edison lights will make your house look like a warehouse, not a home. If you want to incorporate the industrial trend into your home, keep it to a few simple elements, like a single accent wall or light fixture.

2. Overdoing it on the granite

Granite will always be in style, but there can definitely be too much of a good thing. If you want to do granite in your kitchen, great. Just keep it to a timeless pattern and offset the granite with other materials to keep things interesting. (So, for example, if you use granite for the countertops, use butcher block for your kitchen island.)

3. Nautical

If you’re decorating a beach house, feel free to use plenty of anchors and seashells in your decor. If not, there’s no reason for the nautical theme to make an appearance in your decor. If you want to pay homage to your love of the beach, do it in less obvious ways, like coating the walls in an ocean-inspired blue.

4. Going overboard with reclaimed wood

The rustic, reclaimed wood look is lovely—when done in moderation. Stick to one focal piece (like a rustic barn door) to avoid overdoing it. Remember, when it comes to reclaimed wood, less is more.

5. Tufted headboards

For awhile there, tufted headboards were all the rage. But like most trends, they’ve overstayed their welcome. If you love the tufted headboard look, keep it confined to children’s rooms and go with something more sophisticated (like a DIY bookshelf headboard) for adult spaces.

6. Glass block in the bathroom

Glass block was one of the most popular trends in the 1980s, and it saw a brief resurgence in recent years thanks to its ability to add light to a bathroom without compromising privacy. But the glass block look is extremely dated, and luckily you can get the same effect with a skylight.

7. Overdoing it on the open shelving

Open shelving in the kitchen is another trend that works well in moderation, but too many open shelves can make your space look cluttered and disorganized. Stick to one or two shelves and display items that are easy to stack (like dishes) to keep the trend from overwhelming your kitchen.

8. Imposter plants

Fresh greenery not only looks great in any space, but it can also improve air quality in your home—making it a far better choice than fake plants. If you’ve never had greenery in your home before, start with a low maintenance plant (like a spider plant) and work your way up to more maintenance-heavy plants as you get more comfortable.

9. Chevron

The chevron pattern has been showing up on everything from throw rugs to accent walls to comforter sets for years—but this trend has definitely overstayed its welcome. If you want to incorporate chevron in a modern way, keep it simple and stick to small accents, like throw pillows or wall art.

10. Marquee vanity lighting

Unless you’re a professional makeup artist, there’s no need to have Hollywood-style marquee lighting in the bathroom, which can make the space look over-the-top or gaudy. Stick to classic lighting fixtures for a more sophisticated look.

11. All the pastels

Too many pastels will make your home look like a “Saved By The Bell” set. If you want to incorporate the pastel trend, stick to a single accent piece (like a sofa or an accent wall).

12. Vertical blinds

Unless you actually enjoy detangling the mess that is vertical blinds, there’s no need to have them on your windows—they’re a pain to open and close and they can make a room look dated. Instead, try a DIY window treatment that adds character to the space and won’t become a tangled mess every time you want to get a little light into the room.

13. Wicker indoors

Wicker will forever be an outdoor furniture staple, but bringing it indoors can make your home feel dated. Reserve the wicker for your porch or backyard and stick with more indoor-appropriate materials for the rest of your home.

14. Plaid

Plaid can work in small doses and in specific situations, like a throw blanket or accent pillow in the winter. But too much plaid is visually overwhelming—so any major plaid decor, like wallpaper or comforters, have got to go.

15. Tuscan Kitchens

Tuscan-inspired kitchens were all the rage in the early 2000s. But like just about everything else from that time period (remember Sidekicks?), this trend now feels dated. If you want a more timely feel for your kitchen, switch up the tile, stone, and dark color palette for something light and airy.

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