9 Home Decorating Trends We Hope Never Come Back

Home and fashion trends will always come and go. Some might stay, like farmhouse decor while others fade and come back around decades later—looking at you 1950s pastels and glass blocks of the 80s. Then there are others that are best left in the past whether it’s the shoulder pad fad and bubble necklaces in fashion or Formica countertops and overly-ornate fireplaces in the home.

While it can be fun to jump on a trend from time to time, you might end up asking yourself, “Why did I think that was a good idea?” ten years down the road. Perhaps we’ve gone too far with trends (after all, even if something that brings you joy is considered “outdated”, you should embrace it), but if you’re on board for any of these decorating moves…we might have some serious questions. These are nine home decor styles we (and Southern designers) hope never come back around.

Shag Anything

If shag still has a place in your home…bless your heart. Wall-to-wall carpet, rugs, bathmats, toilet seat covers, and anything else shag should never ever make a comeback. Though it was once beloved for its soft texture and cozy feel, the material easily conceals debris, food, and dust making it a breeding ground for unwanted odors and other unsavory things.

Accent Walls

“I would love to see accent walls never return again!” says Houston, Texas, interior designer Lila Malone. If you succumbed to this trend in recent years, you’re definitely not alone, but maybe let’s not repeat it down the road? “If your budget doesn’t allow you to wallpaper the whole room, just paint it a super fun color and splurge a little bit on some patterned upholstery or fun pillows to get the punch you’re looking for,” suggests the designer. 

Acrylic Furniture 

“Never is a very long time, but in my lifetime I’d be happy to not see or use acrylic furniture ever again,” says Dallas, Texas, designer Jean Liu. Not only does it scratch and show scuffs easily, but it just feels a bit industrial for a Southern home.

Gray, Gray, And More Gray

“We need to outlaw the use of gray paint on walls,” says Liu. Though the hue can be incorporated in ways that still feel warm and inviting, overall it’s a drab color that doesn’t add much life to a room, especially when used in large quantities. “I truly hope all gray interiors are a thing of the past. It’s time to bring on the color!” says Atlanta designer Liz Williams. “Whether it’s just splashes of color in an otherwise neutral space or a completely color-drenched room, color is far more interesting and creates a much happier atmosphere.”

Plastic Furniture Covers

While in theory this decorating move was a smart solution for guarding precious fabrics from wear and tear, who wants to sit on Grandma’s squeaky plastic sofa? “What’s the point of having these beautiful things if you can’t just enjoy them?” says senior home editor Betsy Cribb Watson. Some might argue they use this layer of protection is for animals or children, but instead of wrapping beautiful upholstered furniture in uncomfortable and noisy plastic, let a traditional slipcover do the job moving forward.

All-Matching Furniture Sets

A pair of club chairs, night stands, set of dining chairs, or even a sofa and a wing back chair upholstered in the same print—yes. But everything matching? That’s where we draw the line (even with brown furniture). Every dresser, table, and chair doesn’t need to be the exact same material and finish. To keep your space from feeling like it was copied and pasted from a furniture store display, prioritize one-of-a-kind pieces of different scales, textures, and pattern. When layered together, varying furniture styles add character to a room.

All-White Everything

Whether you went for the all-white kitchen and stark bathrooms that dominated the 90s and 2000s or felt the need to paint every red brick white, it’s high time to move on from this characterless trend and never bring it back. Plain white houses where every room is coated in the same ho-hum shade lacks interest. Even if you’re a minimalist, you can still infuse warmth and personality into a space with natural wood, slightly-colorful neutrals, hardware, and textiles.

Orange-Stained Wood

Cabinets and furnishings stained with an orange-y tone is another trend that belongs stuck in the past. The finish was popular in the 90s and early 2000s and much of it is still around today, but that doesn’t mean the piece of furniture or wood itself is a goner. Just think about refinishing it.

Popcorn Ceilings

Need I say more? Even if repainted and disguised with updated fixtures, popcorn ceilings are a tell-tale sign of an outdated 70s home and should never be incorporated into a new build.