9 Popular Decor Trends You’ll Never See In A Southern Home

Southern interior designers have strong feelings about the viral home trends that they simply wouldn’t ever follow, under any circumstances. Here, pros speak to nine popular looks that have reigned supreme over the past few years but just don’t speak to their personal tastes. Some of these might surprise you!

Gray On Gray Decor

Going all in with gray isn’t something that Katherine Shenaman, the founder of Katherine Shenaman Interiors in Palm Beach, Florida, ever wanted to embrace. “It already feels dated, and honestly, it rarely creates the kind of warm, inviting atmosphere we want for our clients’ homes,” she says.

Lauren Saab, the founder of Saab Studios in Dallas, Texas, shares similar views and agrees that there is such a thing as too much gray. “All gray interiors flatten a house and drain out its personality,” she says. “Classic Southern homes thrive on warmth and contrast by integrating finishes that feel rooted such as aged oak floors, creamy plaster walls, and natural stone that carries depth.”

Overdecorating

The concept of “more is more” isn’t something Shenaman has been eager to weave into her projects. “You know the look—piles of trim, endless layers of mismatched fabrics. It can be so distracting that the beauty of the architecture and actual design gets lost,” she says. “Our clients consistently tell us they appreciate the restraint.”

Peel-And-Stick Wallpaper

While more affordable than traditional wallpaper, peel-and-stick often doesn’t hold up and simply creates problems, explains Saab. “Peel-and-stick wallpaper looks like an easy weekend project but in Southern heat and humidity it bubbles, peels, and slides right off,” she says. In Saab’s book, it’s better to just shell out for the real thing—or go with a limewash finish, she notes—explaining that these choices “will last for decades instead of weeks.”

Major Seasonal Updates

It’s fine to welcome the change of seasons in your home, but Grey Joyner finds that there is such a thing as going too far. “Seasonal decor doesn’t have to be holiday-themed or overly literal,” she says. “The goal is to nod to the season in a way that feels timeless and personal, rather than temporary or overly trendy.” Instead of decorating with “gather” signs or pumpkin everything, the founder of Grey Joyner Interiors in Wilson, North Carolina, is happy with smaller updates, like burning seasonal candles, styling her home with glassware in autumnal tones, and bringing in cozy textures.

Fast Furniture

While it may seem like a time-saving solution to some, fast furniture is a no-no for Kelly Neely, the founder of Kelly Neely Interiors in Birmingham, Alabama. “We are all about family and tradition in the South, so we’d prefer to use furniture with a story and/or furniture built to last rather than furniture that’s trendy or just to fill a space,” she explains.

White Oak, All The Time

Liza Nicole Angelucci, the founder of Liza Nicole Interiors in Greenville, Delaware, feels that it’s time to say goodbye to white oak everywhere, all the time. Instead, go ahead and mix things up a bit, she offers. “There’s beauty in balance,” the desigenr says. “Mixing lighter woods with the sultry brings forward so much more character and dimension to the design of a space to tell your story of home.”

Empty Walls

The bare, ultra-minimalist look just doesn’t jive with Carla Royder, the founder of Carla Royder Designs & Co, in San Antonio, Texas. “Empty walls might photograph well, but they sure don’t feel welcoming when you’re sitting in a room that echoes,” she says. Instead, the designer recommends filling walls with art, family photos, plates, you name it. “A room with thoughtfully decorated walls tells visitors they’re somewhere special, somewhere loved,” she adds. “It says this isn’t just a house; it’s a home where real people live real lives, complete with memories, traditions, and things that matter.”

All-New Everything

Grace Frederick can’t relate to those who wish to furnish their homes with all brand new items. “Without something old—a piece with history or provenance—a room can feel a little lifeless,” says the founder of Grace Frederick Design in Charleston, South Carolina. She reiterates that you don’t need to go overboard, though: “Even just one antique or vintage element makes the space feel layered and truly lived in.”

The Unexpected Red Theory

Ayten Nadeau shares that she simply doesn’t subscribe to the unexpected red theory, which suggests that adding red to a room where it might not belong otherwise leads to striking results. “it is not a look I would use,” says the founder of i-TEN Designs in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Red is a primary color that is overpowering and nearly impossible to layer, especially in open floor plans.”