Interior design is a lot like fashion. Trends come and go, making something that was in style just yesterday seem tacky and old today. Spotting and being able to tell the difference between a fad and a time-proven mode of design can help save money and keep your home looking timeless, regardless of what happens to be "in" at the moment. So keep scrolling for which home trends to avoid, according to those who do it for a living.
Avoid Animal Print Carpets and Rugs
It probably won't come as a big surprise to most people today, but anything with animal print on it should be avoided. Not only is it simply not in style anymore, but it's just really hard to match it with most other design styles. Animal print rugs and such had their moment a couple of decades ago, but it's unlikely that they're going to be making a comeback anytime soon.
They can also just throw the eye off when you walk into a room because the designs are inherently non-uniform and contrast so harshly with the rest of the decor.
All-White Kitchens Can Look Too Sterile
Here's another design trend that a lot of people get just a little bit wrong. All-white kitchens have their appeal, but without some contrast and natural elements, they tend to look really sterile. Not to mention, they have to be kept incredibly clean, or else you run the risk of your kitchen always looking dirty. It's better to add in some natural elements, like wood or plants, to brighten the kitchen up a bit.
Mixing in wood cabinets, chairs, or an island can soften the bright white and help create that sense of coziness that most people are looking for in all-white kitchens.
Beware of Off-Colored Stains
There are a ton of different things to take into account when you're getting ready to stain things like flooring, furniture, or staircases. For starters, does the color of the stain go well with the rest of your home? What will it look like after 10 years? And is the color of the stain going to clash with the natural color of the wood you plan on staining? For example, pine tends to take lighter colors much better than darker stains.
There are also plenty of cases where the wood may just go really well with the rest of your decor without stain, such as when you have an all-white kitchen and pair it with lighter-colored wood cabinets or furniture.
Tile Countertops Don't Make Sense for Most
There are a couple of different things about tile countertops that make them a bad choice for kitchens. Firstly, they just look really retro, and not in a good way. They're a bit distracting and can make your kitchen look like a really old-school diner. Secondly, they're just not that practical. All of the grooves make them harder to clean than most other surfaces, such as wood or granite.
If you want to add a little pop to your kitchen, there are much better ways of doing it that are going to stand the test of time and always look amazing.
Humongous Garage Doors Can Look Off
This one only applies if you have a large garage, but it's worth keeping in mind that massive garage doors can throw off the proportions of your home. With most large garages, it's possible to replace a large door with two or more smaller doors without much trouble. The problem with having one huge door is that it just creates this long door that looks out of place when closed.
Again, it might not always be possible, but it's worth giving your garage a long look to really pick it apart if you do happen to have a huge garage door.
Faux Wall Paneling Sometimes Looks Out of Place
There are a ton of different options out there when it comes to wood paneling, but it's worth taking a step back and asking if it would go with the rest of your home. You want your home to be as authentic as possible and to take advantage of what naturally makes it unique. Inherently, fake paneling is already breaking one of these rules, so you really have to consider whether the style you want makes sense for the rest of your apartment or house.
For example, it just wouldn't make sense to add really elegant-looking wood paneling to a farmhouse or an apartment since those spaces are usually designed with different things in mind.
Homes With Way Too Many Corners and Gables
This one applies more so to new homes than old ones, which sometimes incorporate corners and gables as architectural features. But when designing or looking at a newer home with a lot of different corners, it's worth asking if all those different lines actually serve a purpose or if they're just there to try and make the house look pretty. Form should follow function, and a bunch of different corners that add complexity for complexity's sake looks bad to the trained eye.
Not to mention, they can quickly add thousands of dollars to an otherwise simple job, such as having your roof redone or having some work done in the attic.
Barn Doors Are a Big "No" for Some Places
There's nothing inherently wrong with having a barn-style door in your home. However, you have to take where you live into account. For example, if you have an apartment or a more modern home, then it just doesn't make sense stylistically to have a barn door. These doors are just better suited for actual farmhouses. And there are much better options, as barn doors are typically not as good as insulating a room as regular doors.
So, while they might look really unique, you don't want them to look completely out of place. They should just kind of flow with the design of the rest of your home, including the outside.
Open Shelving Has a Couple of Drawbacks
While open shelving can look really nice, it has its drawbacks like anything else. For starters, be prepared to constantly have to dust or rewash plates or dishes every time you get them down from the shelves. It's just unavoidable since there's no cabinet there to keep out the dust. That's in addition to anything else that might find their way onto your dishes, such as hair or bugs.
If you do have open shelving, maybe try and just use it to store things like nice pots or pans, which probably won't have to come down as much and can save you from having to wash the dishes as often.
Marble Doesn't Belong Everywhere
Marble is a great tool to use when designing or decorating. It's functional, and it can bring a bit of elegance to a room. However, everything in moderation. It usually doesn't look great when an entire house is clad entirely in marble. It can take the intimacy out of a space. There's a reason government buildings and some museums lack coziness or warmth when floors are made entirely from marble.
There may be a couple of cases in which marble makes sense, but for most of us, it should be used sparingly in only a couple of different rooms of the home.
Wall Signs With Lettering
Wall signs are quickly going out of style, and for good reason. They're kind of like all those positive quotes that float around on social media. You wouldn't want to fill up your feed with those, so why decorate your home with them? Not only that, but sometimes you just may not be in the mood to read an inspirational quote. A well-decorated space is going to do much more for your well-being.
If you have a blank space on a wall that feels like it needs something there, then try and get some inspiration online for something that's going to look good long after this trend is gone.
Stairs Without Banisters Are a Bad Idea
There's been a somewhat recent trend of making stairs that don't include banisters. This is mostly done inside houses that are built to look more modern, but that's still no excuse to ditch banisters. Banisters themselves are timeless, and they serve an important function. Not to mention, there are countless different styles of banisters and they can always be designed to look sleeker to better go with modern designs.
Ditching them completely just opens a staircase up to safety issues, and according to a lot of professionals, it just looks a bit off to have a staircase without banisters.
Fake Balconies Aren't Fooling Anybody
This one is a bit of a pet peeve of ours and apparently of a lot of professionals. Fake balconies, even if they have newer ironwork, just look out of place. There's just no need for them since they don't really serve a purpose, and form should always follow function when you're looking at design. They're basically just a decoration for a window of a home and one that screams "Look at me."
That said, real balconies are great, and they're not great because they look pretty (although they do), but because they give you a space to relax outside or host a couple of friends.
TVs Placed Right Above Fireplaces Completely Take Away From the Charm
At first, it might seem like an obvious choice to place a TV right above a fireplace. After all, that spot usually looks like it was made especially to make room for a TV. But there are a couple of problems with this, including the fact that when you use a fireplace, some smoke is going to get out and make its way onto your screen. You also won't be able to enjoy both at the same time.
Instead, it's usually much better to place something like an elegant mirror or some other decoration to tie everything together. And of course, if you're looking for some inspiration, there are tons of designs online.
No Color or Warmth Is a Big No-No
The pendulum always swings when you're talking about pretty much anything, but especially when you're talking about design or style. All that pop of color that used to be the hallmark of interior design decades ago has given way to the boring color schemes of recent years. There's nothing inherently wrong with decorating in whites or greys, but it tends to look really bland when you only use one shade of white or grey for everything.
Throwing in more natural elements, such as wood or a bunch of plants, can also help bring a room back to life if it's been decorated only in white or grey.
Not Enough Cabinet Space
If you've ever lived with limited cabinet space, then you probably know just how annoying it can be. However, it's not usually something most people take into consideration when looking at a new home or doing remodeling of an existing kitchen. On the design front, cabinets that don't reach all the way to the ceiling often don't look as good as cabinets that go all the way up the wall.
Not only that, but they also create space that has to be cleaned and maintained, or else it just gets really dusty and has the potential to become a home for all kinds of bugs.
Too Many Lights Can Do More Harm Than Good
There's nothing wrong with having a lot of lights in your home, but when you start having five or more spotlights or recessed lights, then it starts getting to be a bit much. Not only are all those different fixtures a bit distracting, but they can be a hassle to maintain since you need to change each light individually when one goes out. It's preferable to turn to lamps if you want more light in a room.
It's also worth noting what color light looks best in your home or when paired with the style of your decor, as warm lights look better in some places than other types of light.
Vinyl Flooring Has A Lot Of Drawbacks
Vinyl flooring is often the cheapest option when it comes to redoing floors, but it also comes with a lot of drawbacks. The material itself is very thin, and if not installed properly, it tends to separate from the floor rather easily after just a couple of washes or spills. It's also not super great for the environment since it's made using all kinds of different chemicals that can be harmful.
Luckily, there are a couple of different alternatives out there today that aren't all wood. These alternatives are often much stronger and only a bit more expensive than vinyl.
Huge Kitchen Islands Can Occupy Too Much Space
There's no doubt that large kitchen islands can look great and be super functional. However, there are times when smaller is better. This is especially true if you don't already have a lot of kitchen space to begin with. Space should be at the top of your mind when it comes to your kitchen since this is where you're going to be cooking, often with other people moving back and forth.
So, just keep that in mind if you're looking at a home with a large island or if you plan on redoing your own kitchen and want to include something similar.
Empty Space That Serves No Purpose
This one is a bit complicated. When the professionals say not to waste space, they don't necessarily mean that empty space itself is bad, but that space that doesn't serve a purpose and just isn't utilized should be avoided. For example, an area that isn't cluttered with stuff is fine so long as that area serves a purpose, such as entertaining guests or just creating an overall sense of style or comfort.
However, if you just have a lot of space in an odd part of the room that isn't really utilized, it's going to just look out of place and empty.
Hollow Doors Feel - And Are - Really Cheap
Hollow doors can be a good option if you're running low on funds, but they definitely come with a lot of drawbacks. For starters, it's pretty easy to tell when a door is hollow just by touching it. They're made out of cheap materials and don't do a really good job of insulating a room. That includes insulation from both noises and temperature. They're really light, so when you go to open one, you can just tell that something feels a little off.
Doors made from wood or other materials are going to be a bit pricier, but it's usually worth saving up for better-quality doors in the long run. Hollow doors are also easy to damage if you bump into them with something like furniture.
Open Plan Office Spaces Can Be Distracting
Whether it's in your home or at your place of work, open offices can be a real productivity killer. They just make it really hard to focus, which is probably one of the reasons most people who work from home choose to turn at least one of their spare rooms into an office. At work, there's not much you can do but beg your boss to switch things up a bit.
Still, if you were planning on going with an open office space in your own home, then it might be worth considering turning that spare bedroom into an office instead.
Design That Takes Minimalism Overboard
Minimalism can look really great when it comes to interior design, but like everything, there's a right way to do it and a wrong way. Just getting rid of everything but the very basics can make a space look incomplete and unfinished. Minimalism should work to enhance or showcase clean lines and natural materials, not necessarily take things away just for the sake of taking them away. There's a fine line when it comes to this style of design.
It also doesn't leave a lot of room to make a space your own, whereas actual minimalism can always be tastefully decorated, and there's no problem with adding personal touches.
Shiplap Is a Bit Overused
Shiplap can be a good option for a lot of people, but it has to make sense in the type of home you have. Not all homes, especially more modern homes or those situated within a subdivision are going to look good with shiplap. It just has a more countryside or farmhouse feel to it, so it's going to look a bit out of place in a house that was built only a couple of years ago.
Not only that, but there are more practical reasons to really think about shiplap before choosing it since it tends to be harder to clean due to the gaps between pieces.
Nautical-Themed Decor Looks Out of Place in Most Homes
This one goes for normal homes, as well as those situated near the beach. Nautical-themed decor usually looks out of place, no matter your proximity to water. There are ways to do it tastefully, but it really depends on the type of home, history, and region where you live. For most, placing something like a captain's wheel or models of fish on the wall just doesn't suit the home.
There are much better ways to decorate a beach house or home next to the water that doesn't rely on tacky decorations but still incorporate some beachy elements.
Industrial Can Look Cold When Done Wrong
When we say industrial, we're referring to things like open-faced brick walls or exposed industrial pipes you sometimes see running through older apartments. When done right, this look can be great. However, like anything else, it can be taken too far, like when it's paired with grey accent pieces that are already bland and cold in and of themselves. It's much better to contrast industrial elements with warmer tones and wood.
Going too industrial when it comes to furniture and accent pieces runs the risk of making a space feel cold and uninviting, which nobody really wants in their home.
Built-In Anything Can Present Problems
While this isn't necessarily a trend to avoid, it is worth really thinking over whether or not that fancy built-in appliance or wardrobe is really worth it. When it comes to built-in appliances, it's good to remember that, more likely than not, they're going to have to be replaced one day, which is going to be expensive. So, while they can look really good, they're not going to last forever.
When it comes to built-in furniture, like wardrobes, just keep in mind that they may limit your options if you ever want to remodel a space or add your own furniture.
Small and Underutilized Backyards
While small backyards should generally be avoided, sometimes that's just not possible. Still, you should try to take advantage of your backyard, no matter how large or small it is. There are plenty of ways to dress up a small backyard in order to transform it into you're own little oasis. And it will do wonders for your property value as the only thing worse than a small backyard is one that's completely empty.
The same goes for larger backyards that are just left empty and don't really have any personality to them. Even adding a few plants or a garden and some chairs can do wonders.
Not Making a Place Your Own
For most people, it's not going to always be possible to get that really unique apartment or home that you've always dreamed of, at least not at the moment. However, that doesn't mean that you should just not care about the way you decorate or fill your home. There's always something you can do with the space you have in order to make it more personal, cozy, or whatever it is you value in a home.
The worst thing you can do is just leave your space plain and boring. If you're in need of a little inspiration, there are a ton of blogs and websites out there to help.
No Solar Panels on the Roof Is a Missed Opportunity
This one won't make sense for everyone, especially if you live in a place with a colder climate or with less sunlight. However, if you live in a place that's always sunny and you can afford it, give solar panels a look. Not only can they bring down your electricity bill, but they also don't look bad on the roof of your home, and they're only going to be more ubiquitous as time goes on.
Best of all, there are a lot of programs that help bring down the cost and they're only getting cheaper as time goes on. It's very possible that one day, most homes will have solar panels on the roof.
Very Small Laundry Rooms That Seem Like an Afterthought
When designing a home, it's often the laundry room that ends up getting cut down to save or add space elsewhere. It just makes sense for a lot of situations. However, having a decent-sized laundry room should still be an important factor when looking for a new home or remodeling an existing home. For starters, these rooms tend to get warm due to the washer and dryer, so they need to have enough space.
It's also just nice to have enough space in order to store your clothes or fold them right after they come out of the dryer. Having more storage for other things is also a really big plus.
Farmhouse Doesn't Make Sense Everywhere
Farmhouse decor has had a pretty good run over the last decade, but it seems to be dying down a bit lately. There are a lot of different ways this can be implemented and a lot of different styles, but for most people, especially those in urban settings or in subdivisions, it doesn't make a lot of sense to go with farmhouse decor. Firstly, it just tends to be out of place there.
If you live in a big city apartment, then having a bunch of farmhouse-inspired decor usually clashes with the natural look of most apartments. There are much better, still great-looking design choices to go with.
Open Space Bathrooms Have Their Own Drawbacks
Obviously, open-space bathrooms aren't going to be available for every type of space. They tend to work better when you have a smaller area to work with, and they can be nice in that regard, but there are also some drawbacks. If they're not well maintained, then it can turn into a health issue having your bathroom so close to your bed and the place where you rest at night.
It's also worth taking into account whether or not you're always going to be okay with having a bathroom without a door or if privacy may be more of an issue in the future.
Shaker Cabinets Aren't for Everyone
Shaker-style cabinets refer to square cabinets that often have another panel or box design inside of them. You're probably really familiar with them because they're really popular. However, they can also clash with a couple of other types of designs and certain styles of appliances. For example, shaker-style cabinets don't really pair well with stainless steel appliances since stainless looks more modern and shaker looks a bit old-fashioned.
That said, there are definitely some kitchens that look great with shaker-style cabinets, but it's still good to keep in mind when analyzing the design of your own kitchen or home.
Packed Out Garages Leave Little Space for Much Else
If you're lucky enough to have a garage, then you probably know how valuable that garage space can be. Most people tend to only think of garages as a place to store their vehicles, but odds are a lot more end up going into a garage. For example, a garage can serve as a workshop, as a storage space, or even as a gym. So, it makes sense to really think about your garage layout and not just fill it with clutter.
A lot of people even choose to build onto their garages and add more living space on top. They just give you a ton of options and deserve just as much care and thought as the inside of your home.
Smart Home Devices Sometimes Don't Make A Lot Of Sense
There's been a recent surge in homebuilders and architects scrambling to shove just about any smart home device they can into a new build. However, over both the long term and the short term, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. In the long run, many of those devices aren't going to last, or they're going to become outdated, which is going to make them just another pricey item you're going to have to upgrade in your home.
There's also really no need for them in a lot of circumstances, especially when it comes to things like appliances. For example, why would you need a screen on your refrigerator when a button or knob looks a lot better and functions even easier?
Don't Forget About Storage Spaces
This is more of a do than a don't, but if you're looking into buying or renting a new place that's unfurnished, try to picture the rooms with all of your stuff in them. It's likely that they're going to look a lot less spacious after you move in all of your furniture and decorations. That's why it's important to keep some storage around, whether that's in the form of baskets, furniture with drawers, or crates.
Still, you don't want to leave those storage spaces there gathering dust, and you should commit to reorganizing them every so often while you're cleaning to give your space a fresh look.
Identical and Suburban Homes
We know that this one isn't always going to be avoidable, and the mass-produced homes that you often find in new or older developments aren't all bad. However, it's really worth looking around a bit to see if you can't find something a bit more unique. For starters, cookie-cutter homes tend to be placed incredibly close to one another, giving you little to no privacy. The very nature of them also makes them hard to personalize and make your own.
Not to mention, what yard you do have is usually devoid of any unique features, such as trees, which were probably cut down to make way for new development.
Extra Small Apartments That Don't Provide Enough Room
Here's another one that may not be easy to avoid if you live in a very large city. Mini apartments have cropped up all over the place in recent years due to rising rents. And while they may be unavoidable if you have to live in the city, you should first take into account how much space you really need before renting a place like this. And we don't just mean how much space you need for your stuff.
For example, if you're a pretty tall person, living in a mini apartment is going to be much harder for you than it might be for someone who's shorter.