Like the ever-changing landscape of the fashion world, home decor experiences notable transformations each decade. What was once a cherished and trendy item in living room decor may now be considered an eyesore by contemporary standards.
Here are some trends online forum users admitted they are tired of seeing and wish would go away.
Remember, just because these trends are considered “outdated” doesn’t mean they aren’t still popular among certain generations. We all have our preferences, so take these with a grain of salt, and don’t worry too much about what other people think about your home decor- as long as you love it, who cares what others think?
1. Animal Prints
There was a time when animal print carpets and other decor items made from animal skin were regarded as cool, but that’s not today. Most agree that fake prints look tacky, while real animal fur is cruel.
2. Framed Generic Quotes
Almost every one of us grew up seeing a wall hanging with a generic quote printed from the Internet in a prominent place in the house.
One user says, “Framed Pinterest-type quotes. Like “live, laugh, love” and “home is where the heart is.” should be forgotten already.
Someone adds, “My biggest issue is the lack of personality.”
3. Painting Over Wooden Furniture
Most old furniture still has its wooden color, and a little polish makes it look as good as new. Some people, however, prefer to paint it over, and one online user is totally over it.
He says painting old furniture that teal aqua color needs to stop. Someone agrees, “And they always put it over really nice antique wood when they could’ve just [refurnished] the wood.”
4. Open Plan Floors
Open-plan floors are excellent for making a room look bigger, but they offer little or no privacy. Some people are over it and want their walls back.
One user says, “We. Want. Doors! I want to be in my kitchen and be unable to hear Cocomelon. I want to be able to shut the mess in a room and let that be okay. I want space to be away from other people because sometimes that’s the goal.”
5. Open Shelves in the Kitchen
Open shelves may have been a good idea when you need to keep them light, but they are now a forgotten trend- except perhaps as an accent wall in a farmhouse.
A user says, “My parents apparently had open shelving in some rental before I came along; they hated it with a passion. Dust got on everything, so you’d have to rinse your dishes before eating.”
6. Glass Kitchen Cabinets
Glass cabinets in the kitchen may seem glorious for a while, but if you put some unorganized things in them, they’ll look unprofessional and cluttered.
One online user says, “I have similar thoughts about glass cabinets. Most of my dishes don’t match, and they’re only organized so the cabinet can close, I don’t need people seeing that mess.”
Someone adds, “And if you regularly use oil for cooking, they can get a slight film.”
7. Gray Everything
Gray is a wonderful color when used in some rooms, but it becomes pretty boring when the whole house is all grey and white. An online user notes, “It feels so cold and unwelcoming to have a super minimalist grey house.”
Another one adds, “Agree 100%. Gray walls. Gray furniture. Gray rugs. Gray is boring. Sorry/not sorry.”
8. Too Much Minimalism
Clutter isn’t good, but stripping your living spaces bare isn’t appealing either. One online user says, “Stark minimalism to where there is nothing in the house to make it feel cozy or welcoming, isn’t [at all] welcoming.”
Someone adds, “People act like a house is “cluttered” or “messy” if it has literally anything in it.” Bottom line: It’s okay if your house looks lived in.
9. High-End Kitchens
Most people would love to have a kitchen that would turn a chef green with envy, but do we really need one?
One conversation contributor says one of the trends that need to die a natural death is “Super high-end kitchen with chef-level appliances and no one can even boil water.” What a waste of money and space.
10. Painted Bricks
Bricks are beautiful in their natural red color, but some people find the need to paint them. This infuriates some netizens, who feel they should be left as they are.
They say, “STOP PAINTING BRICK. BRICK IS BEAUTIFUL. Whitewashing is stupid.” Some disagree.
11. Farm Houses
There’s a recent obsession with bringing farmhouse decor ideas to life; some people aren’t excited about them. (Thanks, Johanna Gaines.)
One user says, “They’re all over the Midwest and they’re a damn plague at this point. Anything farmhouse makes me nauseous.”
12. White Walls Everywhere
While white gives a room some brightness, it also makes it somewhat cold and uninviting.
An online conversation contributor says, “White everything. S T O P. Where is your house’s personality?”
All-white kitchens would make cleaning harder with all the imminent splashes and spills.
13. Terrazzo Terror
While it’s not an ugly concept, overdoing Terrazo (a “speckled” composite) doesn’t give the aesthetic appeal you may be looking for.
The popular wall and floor design dates back to 1930, and some believe it needs to diminish now or retire altogether.
14. Ferns and More Ferns
Having a plant in your home is an excellent idea, but we need to agree to give the ferns a rest now. Too much of anything is poisonous, and ferns are not excluded from that category.
It’ll save you some water and labor too.
15. Bean Bags
Perfect for relaxing with a book, bean bags were great for college dorm rooms. Having a bean bag at home today is outdated (to some), and it should be replaced with a comfortable chair or loveseat instead.
16. Faux Flowers
Faux flowers have now lost taste; they’re also not a good way to keep your house decor chic. Consider getting a natural bouquet of your favorite flowers if you must have flowers.
17. Fake Fruits
After removing the faux silk flowers, the next item to toss out of your home should be the fake fruits. Replace them with natural, organic fruit that your family can grab quickly for a healthy snack.
18. Uniform, Generic Furniture
Most modern furniture is mass-produced and replicated repeatedly, leaving no room for personal taste or preferences.
Ditch the world’s uniform furniture for something vintage and unique. Your furniture should have a little of your personality.
19. Bohemian Style
Boho is good, and it gives a house that exotic look you may be looking for, but it’s time to give it a little rest. Some people think the Bohemian style adds clutter to our house with all the little and large pieces and the unending flowers.
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JayDee Vykoukal is a writer, author, mom, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has been writing about everything motherhood and health-related since 2018 when her first daughter was born, and she wanted to stay home. She loves to research new topics and fun facts with her kids to teach them about the world.