The Short Answer
Home décor trends can change quickly, and keeping up with the ever-evolving decorating trends can be tough. Some of the most outdated home décor trends include animal print, white-on-white kitchens and other elements of the home, shabby chic, boho and word art or quotes. While some of the most classic home décor elements include neutral color palettes, marble countertops and classic furniture. If your home is looking outdated, you can give it a fresh coat of paint, declutter, and re-look the lighting to give it an update and refresh the overall aesthetic.
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In the ever-changing world of home decor, what was once trendy can quickly become outdated, leaving your space feeling stuck in the past. Whether you’re planning a home renovation or simply looking to refresh your home, it’s important to recognize which design elements are no longer in style.
This guide explores outdated home decor trends to avoid and highlights timeless design choices that can help you create a space that feels both modern and enduring. By focusing on key updates and incorporating classic elements, you can transform your outdated home decor trends into a stylish, functional, and inviting environment.
Outdated Home Decor Trends
Home décor trends come and go each year, reflecting changes in taste, lifestyle, and the broader design landscape. What was once considered stylish, can quickly become outdated and leave your home looking like it’s stuck in the past. Whether you’re looking to renovate your home or redecorate, let’s take a closer look at many of the outdated home decor trends, and ones that you should leave behind if you’d like to create a timeless space.
Trend 1: Animal Print
While the 70’s were a great time for animal print, that time has passed. Animal print has made a brief appearance again over the years, but now we’re well and truly past the animal print phase in home décor.
Trend 2: White-On-White
All white kitchens and living spaces were on trend for the majority of the last few years, however this has seen one of the biggest declines in popularity recently. There’s been an increase in people’s desire to make their homes more special and layered.
Trend 3: Shabby Chic
The distressed, vintage look of shabby chic, once beloved for its cozy vibe, has given way to more modern and streamlined aesthetics and is amongst the top outdated home decor trends.
Trend 4: Word Art and Quotes
Signs and wall decals with inspirational quotes or words like “Home,” “Love,” and “Family” have become overused and are now considered outdated. It’s time to say that the “Live, Laugh, Love” trend is no longer current.
Trend 5: Boho
Once loved for its eclectic style with patterns, textures and plants, boho can be cluttered and chaotic. With trends shifting towards less clutter, boho is phasing out, and a more orderly approach to boho is taking over.
Trend 6: Rose and Gold Hardware
Rose gold is out, and gold is not far behind. These metallic hues, once favored for their warm and luxurious feel, are being replaced by more subtle and versatile finishes. As trends shift towards a more understated and natural aesthetic, homeowners are opting for materials like matte black, brushed nickel, or even mixed metals that offer a contemporary and timeless look.
Trend 7: Accent Walls
An accent wall in a bold color was once a go-to for adding interest to a room. Now, a bold-colored accent wall is no being phased out in favor of more subtle, cohesive color schemes. A neutral color palette has become one of the most popular classic trends.
Trend 8: Open Kitchen Shelving
Open shelving was trendy for people who wanted to showcase their dishware, but now it’s become an impractical décor trend where clutter is no longer ideal.
Trend 9: Sliding Barn Doors
Since we said goodbye to the Farmhouse design style, sliding barn doors have gone out of style. While some people still prefer these, they are beginning to make a home look more dated.
Trend 10: Rattan Furniture
Rattan furniture resurged in popularity due to its natural and airy aesthetic, however it’s slowly going out of style now. Rattan has been overused in homes, and as trends shift towards more timeless décor, rattan is being replaced by furniture made from materials like wood, metal, or even modern composites that offer greater durability and versatility.
Trend 11: Carpeted Bathrooms
If there’s one décor trend that dates a home, it’s carpeted bathrooms. These are illogical, and remain a distant décor memory.
Trend 12: Industrial Style
Exposed brick, metal fixtures and utilitarian design was once a popular look, however industrial décor is being phased out, in favor of more personalized, softer spaces. Industrial décor can seem stark and cold, and warmer homes are the name of the game right now, which means that this is now one of the outdated home decor trends.
Trend 13: Open Spaces
Open-floor living areas have long been used to create the illusion of more space, make entertaining easier and allow a flow and easier movement within the home. However, the lack of privacy became less desirable during the pandemic, which led to a change in this trend. Now, people want a home with distinct rooms that offer privacy and functionality.
Trend 14: Gray Palettes
Entire rooms dominated by varying shades of gray were once the epitome of modern sophistication. However, this trend is waning as warmer, more inviting color palettes gain popularity, like earth tones, greens and blues.
Trend 15: Edison Bulbs
These antique-style hanging bulbs were on trend, a few years ago. They have since become one of most outdated home decor trends, as people veer away from harsh lighting in their homes.
Trends That Are Here To Stay
Some trends are here for a season, or even a few years, and then we move onto more practical or functional trends, or people change their taste for colors. There are few trends, however, that have stood the test of time and aren’t going anywhere any time soon.
Trend 1: Marble Countertops
Marble countertops are both practical and luxurious, either in the kitchen or the bathroom. The beauty of natural stone like marble is that no two pieces are alike. The unique veining and color variations in marble make each countertop one-of-a-kind, and no two homes will have exactly the same countertops. While countertop trends come and go, marble has stood the test of time due to its elegance and versatility.
Trend 2: Neutral color palettes
Neutral tones like whites, beiges, grays, and soft earth colors are on trend and here to stay. These colors give homes a versatile backdrop that can be paired easily with other accents and accessories. Neutral colors will never go out of style, and this is a décor trend that never goes out of style.
Trend 3: Layered Lighting
One of the biggest shifts in home décor is the focus on how homes make people feel, along with their function. As such, each room typically has multiple functions, so different lighting may be required for each use. For example, kitchen and dining zones may require overhead lighting as well as the ability to dim the lighting or have lighting coming from another area.
A combination of lighting sources in each space is a popular and solidified trend in home décor that’s unlikely to become outdated. The proper use of layered lighting can significantly alter the mood and atmosphere of a room, enhancing how we experience and utilize our spaces.
Trend 4: Sustainable Designs
Sustainable home designs more important than ever, with people shifting towards using products that are better for the environment. These designs are environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, and socially responsible. Whether its investment pieces, or recycled products, sustainability is a trend that’s here to stay in the era of thoughtful design.
Trend 5: Classic Furniture
Furniture that is a classic style or vintage furniture pieces, are here to stay. These items work well in both traditional and contemporary settings. Even if you prefer modern decor, incorporating a single vintage piece can add depth and a curated feel to a room. Classic or vintage furniture is unlikely to ever feel dated.
Trend 6: Medium Brown Hardwood Floors
For a classic and timeless hardwood floor finish, opt for a medium brown wood tones. Wood tones remain consistently stylish because they strikes a perfect balance—not too light, not too dark, and free from strong red, yellow, or blue undertones. Medium brown is a versatile choice that complements various interior design style elements and ensures your floors will stay on trend for years to come.
Trend 7: Clean Lines
The more clean lines and less curves and complicated shapes that you have in your home décor, the more timeless you space will be. Clean lines aren’t going out of style and the concept of simplicity in home décor is here to stay. The elegance of clean lines creates a sense of order and sophistication, making spaces feel more open and harmonious.
What To Do If Your Home Decor Is Outdated?
Over the years, homeowners typically decorate their homes with what was trendy at the time. Keeping up with all the changes in interior design style can be difficult, and eventually home décor will become outdated. This can make the entire home feel shabby or old and less appealing. Not to mention, each space may not be used to its full potential.
If your home décor is becoming outdated there are a few ways you can give your home a refresh, without breaking the bank.
1. Declutter
One of the most effective ways to make your home look less outdated is to get rid of your clutter and simplify each space. Clutter can make any home look more chaotic and typically it takes away from the aesthetic. Assess each room and figure out which items don’t fit the aesthetic and are unnecessary. Make sure to keep essential items only, and remove items that aren’t bringing anything useful to the space.
2. Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting a room is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to refresh it. If any of the rooms in your home have outdated wall décor such as wallpaper, bold colors on accent walls or anything else, it’s a good idea to give them a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color like gray or beige.
3. Use Modern Accents
For a home with outdated home décor that can’t be changed easily or affordably, adding modern accents is a good way to give an overall update to the décor. You can use new throw pillows, add in different textures and update the colors. The trick is to create a space with neutral colors, which has smaller, timeless décor accents. Even picture frames or vases can make an impact to the décor.
4. Replace Fixtures
Outdated fixtures like faucets, lighting and cabinet hardware can make the general aesthetic of a home look dated. Replacing these outdated fixtures with new, energy efficient options will instantly improve the look and feel of a home and give it a more modern appearance.
5. Rearrange Rooms
Sometimes, simply rearranging the furniture and décor within a room, and eliminating particularly outdated elements can change the appeal of the room. You don’t need to be an interior designer to do this, you can easily create a fresh perspective by changing the flow of the space and using dead areas of the home more effectively. Consider the focal points of each room and highlight these, using the current décor. For example, placing furniture around the fireplace.
6. Look at Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important elements in a room’s design, according to most interior designer opinions. Proper lighting not only enhances the functionality of a space but also sets the mood and highlights the decor. It’s a good idea to use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Ceiling fixtures or recessed lighting are good for general illumination, table or floor lamps are useful for task lighting, and wall sconces or under-cabinet lights can be used for accent lighting. Dimmer switches can also add versatility to the lighting, and modernize a space.