Interior Designers Reveal 8 Worst Home Trends of the Moment

Interior design trends come and go, and while some stand the test of time, others quickly overstay their welcome. Several once-popular home décor styles are now making spaces look outdated or impractical, according to experts.

Home renovation spending in the United States has surged in recent years, with the median spend rising by 60 percent between 2020 and 2023, according to a survey by Houzz, a home design website, conducted among 32,615 users, including 17,713 renovating U.S. homeowners.

Newsweek spoke to interior designers who revealed the home décor trends that should be left behind—and what to try instead.

1. Neon Lights

Neon lights have been a favorite for adding a playful, vibrant touch to interiors, but designers say they often cheapen the overall aesthetic.

“Neon lights had their moment, but they’ve started feeling more like college dorm décor than a nice design choice,” Courtney Cole, an interior designer at TileCloud, told Newsweek. “I do get why people like them; they definitely add a bit of fun to a room, but if they’re not done well, they can quickly make a room look more like a themed bar than a cozy home.”

Lior Kahana, an operations manager and interior designer at 123 Remodeling, agreed. “Neon lights are more suited to a teenage bedroom than a sophisticated living space. You’ll find they cast a harsh, artificial glow and rarely blend well with other design styles,” Kahana told Newsweek.

Instead, they recommend opting for warm, layered lighting.

“Wall sconces and pendant lights create a much more inviting atmosphere without feeling gimmicky,” Kahana added while Cole suggested soft lighting or backlit artwork as stylish alternatives.

2. Staged ‘Shelfies’

Perfectly curated shelves with backward books, abstract sculptures, and untouched candles have been a staple of modern home décor, but designers argue they make homes feel more like showrooms than real spaces.

“Open shelves can be beautiful. But you can end up creating a space that looks like a retail display if every shelf is styled with perfectly turned-around books, a random wooden bead garland, and an untouched candle,” Kahana said. “Shelves should feel lived-in. Mix books you actually read, vintage pieces, and meaningful objects. The best-styled shelves look like they’ve come together over time rather than being arranged for a photoshoot.”

Cole echoed the sentiment, adding: “Homes should feel lived in, not like a showroom.”

3. Macramé Overload

Once a defining feature of the boho-chic aesthetic, macramé—a form of textile made by knotting—has now become more of a filler piece than a thoughtful design choice.

“Macramé had a strong resurgence with the boho-chic movement, but I think now it’s become more of a filler than a thoughtful design choice…too much of it can feel cluttered and overly themed,” Cole said.

Kahana advised incorporating other textural elements instead. “A single piece can still work, but too much and the space starts feeling more like a craft fair than a home,” he said.

4. The Overly Distressed Farmhouse Look

The faux-distressed, mass-produced farmhouse aesthetic—characterized by artificially aged furniture and mass-produced rustic décor—has been widely used, but designers say it has run its course.

“If everything in the room looks intentionally worn down, it starts to feel forced rather than charming,” Kahana said. Instead, he recommends incorporating natural materials like warm-toned woods and real stone, which bring character without looking artificial.

5. Barn Doors Everywhere

Sliding barn doors became a staple of modern farmhouse decor, but designers argue they are impractical and often misplaced.

“Rustic, sliding barn doors are only suitable for actual farmhouses,” Gretchen Rivera, owner and principal designer at Casa Casual Interiors, told Newsweek. “They’re impractical, noisy and offer little privacy.”

She suggested pocket doors as a better alternative.

“They provide better sound insulation and work well in modern, minimalist, and even traditional interiors,” Rivera said.

6. Hanging Plants

While greenery is always in style, too many hanging plants can create an unintentional jungle-like effect.

“Now, I love greenery in interiors; it’s an easy way to add life and texture, but hanging plants can easily get out of hand,” Cole said. “I’ve found that overgrown vines and tangled leaves can end up looking messy rather than intentional, especially if they’re just randomly placed in corners.”

Kahana pointed out that plants require maintenance to keep their aesthetic appeal.

“The issue with hanging plants is if they’re not well-maintained. That’s when they bring an unintended ‘jungle gone wrong’ vibe,” he said.

Instead, designers recommend using sculptural plants in statement planters.

“A tall olive tree, a fiddle-leaf fig, or a monstera in a ceramic or stone pot adds greenery while keeping the space polished,” Kahana said.

7. All-White and Gray Everything

While neutral tones have long been favored for creating bright and airy spaces, experts say all-white and gray interiors can feel sterile.

“An all-white space is cold, sterile, and impractical. To me, it’s giving ‘hospital waiting room,'” Rivera said. “Instead, opt for creams, beiges, and light woods. You’ll still get that bright, airy vibe but with way more personality.”

She also noted that gray, once the go-to neutral, has been overused.

“Gray had its moment but has been overused and overdone. Consider richer, warmer tones like taupe, brown, muted greens, or merlots. These shades add depth, warmth, and personality.”

8. Too Much Boho

The bohemian aesthetic, with its mix of macramé, rattan, and eclectic patterns, has been popular for years, but experts caution against overdoing it.

“Too much bohemian decor can make a space look like a mismatched, chaotic college dorm room,” Rivera said.

She recommended opting for authentic accents like a vintage handwoven rug or a large Don Freedman wall hanging to maintain a curated, effortless look.

Do you have an interior design-related question or tip to share? Let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.