More Home Decor Trends That Should Stay In The Past

Home decor is just as part of the fashion industry as clothing, hair, and makeup. We like our homes to be as trendy as possible. But the thing with trends is that not all of them withstand the test of time, and that includes interior design.
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If you’ve seen part one of our outdated home decor trends, you’re in for a lot more fun with this second part of these not-so-trendy treats.

The Tired Accent Wall

An accent wall was used to bring out a single, specific wall in a house. And while this wasn’t an entirely bad idea, it was certainly overdone. Besides, people slowly started to realize that the trend of having a single wall covered in snappy wallpaper or painted a different color just seemed tired.

 


In fact, it almost started to look as if the person couldn’t finish the job due to budget cuts or lack of interest. Just do yourself a favor and leave the accent walls in the past.

No More Large-scale Family Portraits

Remember the massive family portraits that some people used to hang on the staircase or over the mantel? Well, hold on to that memory, because it’s dead and buried by now.

 


This 1990s home decor trend is definitely outdated, and thankfully, people have realized that dedicating a nice shelf with small picture frames of family photos is more than enough.

Stop Covering Couches With Blankets and Fabric

Another trend that seemed to dominate the last decade is the ‘blanket-over-the-couch’ fad. And no, we’re not talking about throwing your winter blanket in the corner of the couch when you’re done using it, we mean covering your entire couch with a piece of fabric or a blanket to make it look more homey. Well, it doesn’t. In fact, it doesn’t look welcoming at all.

 


As inviting and cozy as you might think this looks, it actually seems like you are trying to cover up the couch in an effort to protect it from pet hair or dust, or even worse, cover a nasty stain.

Plastic Tablecloths are Unsanitary

The printed plastic tablecloths that were a huge hit in the 1980s are definitely a thing of the past. Not only do they look cheap, they’re quite unsanitary. Even if you need something for easy cleanup for a backyard barbecue, you’re better off using a linen fabric.

 


Linen looks better, feels nicer, and is certainly much classier than having a piece of plastic over your table. Plus, it’s just far better for the environment. You can reuse linen cloths for years, all you have to do is throw them in the washer after a meal.

Beaded Lamps are Archaic

Having their origins in the 1970s, it makes sense that beaded lamps are quite outdated today. Yes, we get it, they may look classic and beautiful, but they’re just not practical for a modern-day house. They’re simply too adorned and make a space feel cluttered and a bit chaotic.

 


Besides, we seriously doubt you want to hear the beads jingle every time you stretch your hand to turn off your bed lamp.

Round Beds Just Don’t Make Sense

Think about it. If human beings are vertically aligned, why in the world would they want to sleep in a round bed?! It seems nobody thought of this back in 1968, when round beds made their debut in the home design scene. Thankfully, they only lasted a few decades.

 


If you want to use a round bed as a groovy-looking furniture piece in the living room, go for it. But when it comes to your bedroom and sleeping comfortably, stick to your run-of-the-mill, king-sized, rectangular bed.

The Shiny Gold Fittings That Ruined Bathrooms

The early ’90s were all about shiny things – flashy brass faucets, hardware, and light fixtures adorned nearly every bathroom. But unless you’re a king or actually live in a palace, having a bathroom covered in shiny gold fittings looks very tacky.

 


So do yourself a favor, realize you’re not royalty, and opt for a cleaner, more modern look.

The Outrageous Novelty Phones

Before smartphones took over the market, there were novelty phones. We must admit that these are the epitome of ’80s nostalgia, since they take us back to classic teen sitcoms of the time, like ‘Full House’.

 


Novelty phones were basically a household staple back in the crazy eighties, and there was a wide selection of themes to chose from. Everything from lips, to cartoon characters, to food items made talking on the phone a delightful experience. But as home decor? We couldn’t think of anything more tacky.

Brass Fixtures

Brass was in every home back in the 1980s, especially when it came to fixtures. Bathroom and kitchen cabinets, bedroom drawers, closets, everything was adorned by brass fixtures. The entire house looked like it had been covered in a goldish metal layer. Doesn’t sound so classy, does it?

 


The problem was that brass made a house look old, and it was rarely actual brass, which meant it quickly faded and chipped. So, unless you’re a millionaire than can afford actual brass fixtures, just stay away from this one.

Tropical Prints

An apology to all lovers of 1980’s decor trends, but it’s just impossible to not laugh at some of these hilarious decoration ideas. One of them beng the famous tropical print craze, which was made even worse by its presence in ‘Golden Girls’ Blanche Devereaux’s bedroom.

 


We love nature, but this is just painful to look at. There were tropical leaves everywhere – on the curtains, the bedsheets, the walls, the pillows, and even on people’s clothing!

The Cheap-looking Lacquer Cabinets

If you remember ’80s movies, you surely remember there was never a house without glossy lacquer cabinets. In fact, the shinier the cabinets looked, the better. But as we’ve learned with other ’80s home decor trends, it’s probably best to just stay away. Far, far away.

 


Adopt a more modern look for your house and stick to marble or granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Leave the lacquer in the eighties, where it belongs.

Grandma’s Lace Curtains

Lace curtains were a match made in heaven for the ’80s frills and floral patterns. But they were definitely not practical, since having holes in your curtains kind of defeats their whole purpose.

 


Yes, they’re delicate, elegant, and lovely, which is why you can hang them as a decoration, not have them in place of actual curtains. Stick to dresses and lingerie when it comes to lace, not home decor.

Teal Carpeting

Remember the wonderful 1989 ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’? Apart from the fabulous Griswolds, you probably remember their ’80s teal carpeting. And if you don’t, stream the film and look at it, because it’s the only time you should ever look at teal carpeting in your life.

 


This 1980’s home decor trend was a staple in every household; not only the wall-to-wall carpeting, but the hospital-like teal color as well. As a rule, covering any room in your house with wall-to-wall carpeting should be prohibited by law, but making it teal? That should be a federal offense.

Metal Wall Sculptures Are the Epitome of Tacky

The 1980s were an interesting time for home decor, and while there were many good trends, three-dimensional metal wall decorations definitely weren’t one of them. It was all about highlighting your walls back then, and people decided regular, 2D art wasn’t enough anymore. They wanted sculptures; hideous, gold-colored, metal sculptures.

 


We really can’t explain how completely tacky this looks, and while we completely respect peoples’ tastes, having your walls covered in ornate metal sculptures of flower bouquets and flying birds is simply atrocious. It’s a fact of life, whether you want to accept it or not.

The Giant and Overly Extravagant Drapes

The first thing that might come to mind when seeing these gigantic, super extravagant drapes is a room in a French palace. But unfortunately, these over-the-top curtains invaded American homes in the 1980s, and honestly, it’s a miracle they never killed anybody, considering how heavy they were.

 


There’s absolutely no need to have such giant drapes in your home. A simple, classy curtain will do the job just fine.

Mauve is Murder

Remember the avocado-green phase in American home decor of the ’70s? Well, the ’80s were all about mauve. The pale purple color invaded homes across the country, covering walls, ceilings, rugs, couches, lamps, all of it! And frankly, we feel there really is no need to tell you why you should avoid covering your home in pale purple.

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The reason this became a trend in the first place can probably be linked to Georgia O’Keeffe’s death in 1986. After she passed away, a lot of her work became very popular, and as you probably know, mauve is a predominant color in her sunset and desert earth-themed paintings. And that’s where mauve should’ve stayed – in a painting.

The Infamy of Heart-Shaped Hot Tubs

Another ’80s home trend that was wildly popular was the infamous heart-shaped hot tubs. This genius design idea was actually invented back in 1968, by a resort owner in Pennsylvania. People went crazy over it, and it quickly became a fixture in homes and hotels around the country.

 


Nowadays, unless you’re on a romantic getaway or in a honeymoon suite, you’ll have a hard time finding one of these. And we couldn’t be happier.

The Clear Furniture Craze

Back in the ’80s, clear furniture was all the rage. You’d see it in Hollywood blockbusters, at your friend’s house, in the furniture stores, and thankfully, four decades later, you’ll only see it on the street.

 


Unless you’re a mobster in Miami in the 1980’s, or an Art Deco magazine cover photographer, you have no excuse for owning clear furniture.

Stop With the Ivy Wall Designs

The popular ivy wall design had its peak at some point during the ’90s and 2000s, and while we appreciate the effort of someone not wanting to have a plain, white wall in their kitchen (or anywhere in their house), that doesn’t justify making your house look like a tacky fairytale forest.

 


A few ivy vines on one of the wall’s borders? Yes. Covering your entire house in decorating flourish? Absolutely not.

The Plastic Couch Cover

There is nothing more ‘retro’ than the plastic couch cover trend from the ’60s and ’70s. Originally, the ‘clear plastic cover over the couch’ trend had a very simple and functional reason: you could protect your furniture while still being able to look at it. However, many people just adopted this as a home decor trend, and it’s definitely overstayed its welcome.

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The cover does lengthen and maximize the life of your furniture, but it also looks like you’re living in a furniture store where everything is on display and in its original wrapping. Talk about the opposite of homey.

The Completely Unnecessary Pelmet

The pelmet originated back in the 15th century, during the Renaissance. They added a certain elegance and flare to the very lavish rooms of monarchs. However, in plain English, the pelmet is simply a framework placed above a window in order to conceal curtain fixtures. And it is completely unnecessary and looks absolutely tacky in any modern house.

 


It’s curtain overkill, and just unnecessary extra work. Just chose some nice curtains and be done with it. It’s not like you’re Queen Elizabeth II.

The Disastrous Waterbeds

The infamous waterbed was all the rage back in the late 1980’s, but this innovative, and terrible, idea first originated back in the 1800s, when Scottish physician Dr. Neil Arnot invented a “hydrostatic bed for invalids”, with the intention to help with bed sores.

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But through the years, the waterbed evolved to become a groovy house trend associated with excitement, and even debauchery. And if you’ve ever had the displeasure to sit, or sleep in one, you know these beds should’ve stayed back in the 1800s.

Beaded Curtains are Only for Palm Readers and Psychics

The famous beaded curtains trend originated back in the ’60s, in Asia. The noisy bead strings, which were supposed to have a soothing effect every time you passed through them, were used as room partitions back in the day. But once the trend hit the U.S., people just went crazy. They were everywhere, and it was too much.

 


Having one set somewhere around the house for decoration purposes is fine, but you do not want to have beaded curtains as an actual replacement for a door. Why? Because your house won’t look “’90s cool”, it’ll look like a convention of palm readers lives there. Besides, people tend to forget how annoying it was to have to untangle them every time you passed through.

Who Actually Thought of Carpeted Bathrooms?

Even though back in the ’90s, carpeted bathrooms were all the craze and the ultimate sign of luxury, there are fewer things more disgusting and impractical than covering your bathroom with carpeting.

 


Yes, they looked fantastic when you saw them in a movie, and maybe it seemed comfy to get out of the bathtub and step onto a fluffy carpet. But folks, mildew and bacteria are no joke. And they will come for you if you have a carpeted bathroom.

Hell is Full of Potpourri

If you want to keep a small basket of potpourri in your bathroom, go for it. But that’s it, that’s all the potpourri you should ever have lying around the house. Yes, potpourri baskets were beautiful to look at and smelled great, but they also gathered huge amounts of fluff, dust, dirt, and pet hair like you couldn’t even imagine.

 


So, unless you’re planning to have a closed basket of potpourri with a few holes on the top so you can enjoy the scent, just avoid this decor trend altogether.

It’s Over for Glow-in-the-Dark Stars

We all loved glow-in-the-dark stars when they first came out decades ago. As a kid, and even a teenager, covering your bedroom ceiling in them made you feel like you were sleeping in space. But folks, it’s time to get over it. And especially, it’s time to realize how much damage these little stars actually did to a perfectly good paint job.

 


If you want to be a cool parent and indulge your kid with these glowing stickers, keep it to their bedroom. And preferably, to a very small section of it, if you don’t want to spend days covering up the paint afterwards.

The Tacky Inflatable Furniture

The ’90s brought a lot of good trends, but inflatable furniture wasn’t one of them. In fact, inflatable chairs had been around since the ’60s, but it was in 1990 that they made a huge comeback. As groovy as it looked, and as much as children loved the glittered version, having inflatable furniture in your home is not only tacky, but completely unreliable.

 


Unless you’re in an Austin Powers movie set, leave the inflatable furniture for the backyard or the pool. Do not, we repeat, do not bring them into your home. Besides, if you’re ever carrying around a pin in your pocket and happen to forget before you sit down on the blow-up chair, we don’t need to tell you the chaos that will ensue.

The Famous Chevron Patterns

This is another home decor trend that has been around for way too long. The famous chevron pattern has been dominating spaces for decades, covering rugs, accent walls, blankets, pillow cases, and basically anything you can think of when you walk into a room. But enough is enough.

 


There’s nothing wrong with using the fashionable chevron pattern on certain pieces in your space, but do not overdo it. Unless you want your house to look like a nausea-inducing optical illusion. Use chevron patterns to your advantage and give your space a modern feel by only using it on one or two pillows, a small rug, or some wall art.

Open Shelving Overkill

This is another home decor trend that must be done in absolute moderation, unless you want your house to look like a cluttered, chaotic little shop of oddities. Open shelving can look beautiful if done right, but make sure to not overdo it.

 


Add one or two shelves in strategic positions that aren’t already cluttered with another object, and use them to display items that are easily organized (e.g. plates, bowls, cups, etc.). And ideally, open shelving works best in areas like the kitchen, or a study.

Too Much Reclaimed Wood

As beautiful and rustic as the reclaimed wood look is, you have to know when enough is enough. The idea of using reclaimed wood over a specific door, or section of a wall, can be great – it can give a room a classical, antique look. But remember, stick to a single piece, don’t get any ideas about covering an entire room in it.

 


When it comes to reclaimed wood, less is always more.

Pointless Valances

Matching window valances are an especially horrid decor choice, but window valances in general really aren’t that great. They add a little trim at the top of your window, but for what? There’s no real purpose of this really.

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However, something about these hanging bits of fabric ages your space immensely. Even with the most modern design, window valances will automatically make you look like you’re living in a different decade. Since they don’t have a real purpose anyway, it should be easy to throw them out of your design plan.

Another Fixture of the College Dorm

Once again, we ask you to refer to the question of the futon. Are you a child or college student looking for a fun piece of furniture in their room? If the answer is no, you don’t need a bean bag chair. The ‘90s really vaulted this comfy piece of furniture into the mainstream, convincing you that it was totally fine to use it as your seating of choice.

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That, unfortunately, is untrue. While the bean bag is comfortable, it looks messy and lazy in a real home. Real couches are still very comfy. Maybe you should try one out.

A Bright Green and Gold Color Palette

Who was the genius who thought that green carpeting throughout a house was a good idea? Unfortunately, this trend of avocado-green combined with gold accents was quite popular throughout the ‘70s.

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Do we really have to explain why this is bad? Each color is far too intense in its own right to make for an aesthetically-pleasing design. Plus, too much green anywhere starts to bring a sickly feel to your home. If you want a contemporary design, stay far away from this color combination.

Don’t Get Wordy

Plastering “live, laugh, love” on your walls doesn’t make for a homey, comfortable space. Home decor stores, particularly the cheap ones, are full of wordy signs and pictures, often with the most simple of phrases. “Home,” “Gather,” “Family”— what’s the point of all these signs?

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Often, word art is used simply as a way to fill a space. But just because you can fill a space doesn’t mean you should. Hold out for a design piece that really adds something to your home, rather than some generic word that can make your pad look a little cheap.

No More Puffy Headboards

Those puffy, or tufted headboards as they are correctly called, used to be the height of glam, but that was in a much older era. What once looked luxurious now tends to look a little stuffy. A statement headboard is a good idea, but a tufted piece will only continue to make your home look dated.

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If you want something that stands out, choose a beautiful headboard that actually looks distinct from your bedding. Stay away from tufted headboards—they’re only going to get more and more unpopular.

Large and Bold Prints

The 1960s were all about being free and enjoying the world around you. Unfortunately, some of that indifferent attitude also entered home design. The ‘60s really saw the rise of bright, bold patterns scattered across a room. After all, it was a time to live, so why wouldn’t they make their houses as crazy as possible?

 


Unfortunately, those bright, floor-to-ceiling patterns aren’t a long-lasting decision. Not only are you bound to get dizzy after a few months of looking at that every day, but it also makes it difficult to create a comfortable, cohesive space.

Cool It With The Ferns

A bit of greenery in the house is simply beautiful, but do you really need a big, leafy fern in every room? Beyond the fact that other plants exist, ferns are a pretty dominating piece of decor. They’re easy to care for, but too many of them will make your space look like an image right out of Jumanji.

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If you want some greenery, try to use a diverse spread of plants. That way, you’ll get that bit of the freshness you’ve been looking for, but you won’t turn your living room into an indoor rainforest.

You Sleep On What?

Are you a college student looking for more furniture for their dorm? No? Then you shouldn’t have a futon.  If you’re over the age of 22, futons are no longer acceptable.

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They’re made to be a cheap piece of furniture with a versatile function perfect for young people who don’t yet have a permanent space. But in an adult home, they just make you look like you don’t know what you’re doing. Traditional sofas are better suited to adult decor.

Less of The DIY Furniture

Just like fast fashion, fast furniture isn’t really made to last. It features an inexpensive design that’s easily assembled when you don’t have many other options. While the furniture is inexpensive and can look okay in your space, it’s not exactly the height of interior design.

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In addition, fast furniture isn’t very environmentally-friendly, and it doesn’t lead to a lasting design aesthetic. It’s better to invest in pieces you really love and build your collection slowly, rather than buying new pieces every year that will just get thrown out.

Chunky and Overly Adorned Headboards

While tufted headboards are no good, incredibly heavy headboards are equally as cringe-worthy. A large block of wood sitting at the head of your bed seems like a good idea…until you have to move it to a new location.

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While these behemoths used to be the height of popularity, their imposing presence often overtakes a room. It’s better to opt for something a little more modest and implement your design talent in other aspects of your space

No Silk Sheets, Please!

Silk sounds like the most luxurious, comfortable fabric. If you want your bedrooms to scream opulence, silk seems like the obvious choice. And it was, at one time.

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Now, however, silk ends up looking cheap and tacky. Silk sheets are perfectly okay, but your duvet should be made of a softer, comfier fabric that doesn’t look like it belongs in a music video.

These Wooden Counters Must Go

Alongside the bright, bold, far-too-colorful cabinets, the ‘70s touted the benefits of wooden countertops. While this trend can actually look impressive if paired with more neutral tones, wooden countertops aren’t an easy design trend to pull off.

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When done incorrectly, wooden countertops result in a dark space that feels more like a dungeon than a kitchen. Modern materials are better suited to creating that light and bright look that’s so popular nowadays.

Decades Past Its Prime

Terrazzo is a lot like linoleum. It’s durable and fairly versatile, which is why many designers used it from 1930 all the way through 1970 as their flooring of choice.

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Today, however, terrazzo doesn’t really belong in the home. It looks a little cold and clean, making it much more suitable for your office building. Warmer materials are better for a house, which is why terrazzo should stay far away from your home decor plan.

Window Blocks

Glass blocks used to be the ultimate way to create a light and bright bathroom space, without sacrificing any privacy. Unfortunately, they haven’t withstood the test of time. With so many new materials at our fingertips, glass blocks now tend to look cheap and dated.

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In addition, they’re not the easiest to maintain. The seal between the glass blocks tends to get dirty over time. The more yellow that seal gets, the older your house tends to look. Wave goodbye to the glass blocks and hope that they never come back.

The Carpet and Wallpaper Duo Disaster

The colors in your home should combine nicely with one another. However, that doesn’t mean that every color should be perfectly matched. The ‘70s didn’t quite understand that. This era, unfortunately, introduced us to a design trend of matching wallpaper and carpeting.

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Somehow, this trend always occurred in the weirdest colors, like bright orange or dark green. The result was a monochromatic look that didn’t leave much space for other colors to intervene. Please leave this trend in the ‘70s where it belongs.

Too Much Granite

As a general design and life rule, remember that too much of a good thing is always bad. That’s certainly the case with granite. While granite countertops are still a popular design decision, there are other materials available to bring some contemporary flair to your kitchen.

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Granite isn’t a bad choice, but something like marble or even concrete can lead to a more modern-looking design. Granite isn’t entirely out, but a minimalist aesthetic of lighter materials is definitely in.

Don’t Forget About the Doilies

When it comes to your basic home design, you should just stay away from lace altogether. While lace tablecloths are a no, lace doilies are an even worse design faux pas.

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Do people even use doilies anymore? What is their purpose? These little design accents aren’t useful. In fact, they’ll probably age both you and your home significantly. And who wants that?

Enough With the Wicker

Wicker furniture should always stay on the outside of your home. Unfortunately, during the ‘80s and ‘90s, interior design trends encouraged people to bring their rickety furniture inside the house.

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Beyond being entirely uncomfortable for actual lounging, wicker furniture always looks a little out-of-place in an indoor space. Stick belong outside. Since that’s what your wicker furniture is made of, please don’t ruin your indoor aesthetic with these pieces.

The Mason Jar Craze

Mason jars were cool for about a year. They certainly have that homey, DIY effect that makes your space feels like yours. In addition, they’re just charming enough to look like an actual design decision, rather than lazy decorating.

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Unfortunately, the mason jar trend is lazy. Placing empty jars around your house doesn’t make you an expert in interior design. This trend is so worn out that we can hardly keep ourselves from rolling our eyes every time we see it.

Fake Flowers Are a Bad Idea

Craft stores are filled with full aisles of vibrant silk plants. But just because the plants exist doesn’t mean you should take them home. The ‘90s supported the trend of fake flowers scattered across your house, but the real thing is so much better!

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Instead of buying giant silk plants, opt for real plants that are easy to take care of. A couple of temporary bouquets around your home are the perfect way to bring the outside inside.

No More Dusty Colors

Anything described as “dusty” shouldn’t be part of your home decor design. Unfortunately, in the ‘80s dusty pastels were all the rage. These somewhat-muted colors usually came in blues, pinks, and greens, covering furniture and walls in their soft-hued glow.

 


However, dusty pastels always look a little dirty, no matter what you might do to clean them. They also fail to create a clear color palette. Instead, your room is a smattering of pastel hues that feels chaotic, rather than calming. Choose a color scheme free of dusty pastels and leave that design decision in the past where it belongs.

Floral For No One

Floral used to be the thing to have in your home, particularly in the ‘80s. Want to buy a couch? Make it floral. Looking for curtains? Floral. Even pillows, pictures, and vases all had to be floral.

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Unfortunately, floral now makes for a very outdated design. It’s a signature of a different decade that just doesn’t fit into the modern aesthetic. Using floral elements as accent pieces is perfectly okay, but implementing a floral theme throughout your entire home will turn your pad into a bad ‘80s movie.

Just Too Much Wood

Have you ever entered an older, ‘70s-style home and walked right into a den full of wood paneling? It was at one time the ultimate decorating decision that easily replaced plaster and drywall. Today, however, wood paneling just makes a space look dreary and dated.

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In addition, wood paneling requires quite a bit of maintenance. Some wood needs to be oiled so it doesn’t lose its natural moisture. If it gets too wet, however, it can rot and warp, causing serious problems in your home. Beyond all that, the paneling just doesn’t look right in a contemporary house.

Tan Kitchen Cabinets, Don’t

Are you sensing a theme here? Bright colors are perfect accents, but they shouldn’t dominate your entire space. That’s why colored cabinets are such an egregious design mistake.

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Burnt orange or puke green dominating your kitchen isn’t a trend we want to see again. Beyond being outdated, the bright colors simply don’t look good. Opt for neutral colors for your cabinets, and add a little flair in your backslash and appliances. That’s the right way to do things.

Decline the Pine

Pine is a light wood that—we’re sorry to say it—isn’t all that interesting. While pine can look good as a subtle accent, sets of furniture made entirely of pine are painfully bland.

 


Unfortunately, the ‘80s and ‘90s really leaned into the utility of pine furniture. Bookshelves, dressers, desks, and cabinets were all made of the most boring wood you could find. Pine just doesn’t add anything interesting to your house. It’s time to switch to more interesting materials.

No to Lino Floors

Linoleum flooring was once used commonly in kitchen and dining areas because of its resilient nature. The flooring is incredibly durable, has a slight cushioning effect, and is very easy to clean. Unfortunately, it’s also ugly.

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The old-style linoleum flooring can change color in the sunlight, turning your kitchen or dining space from a shining white to a dirty yellow. Linoleum flooring just feels gross and outdated. It doesn’t have the flair that modern materials bring to a space, which is why it should be retired forever.

Why Plaid?

How did the ‘70s go so terribly wrong with their design decisions? The inclusion of plaid in your home decor also originated in that era. We’re starting to get the feeling that interior designers were just trying to ruin people’s lives.

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Plaid is a tough look to pull off in any situation, let alone plastered over your walls and bedspreads. If we never had to see this trend again, it would be too soon.

Sorry, Sailor

How did the nautical theme in home decor even get so popular? Anchors everywhere and that signature blue and white theme—aren’t we bored of it yet? Well if you’re not, we certainly are.

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This cheesy decor tries too hard to make you feel like you’re at the ocean, rather than creating a design that actually feels like you. Your home doesn’t have to look like it came straight out a magazine to look good. If you want a beachy theme, settle on a more subtle color palette and decor, rather than the overt nautical ornamentations.

Lace Galore

While floral was imposing enough, it was often paired with another outdated design material: lace. More specifically, lace tablecloths used to be a huge trend. Unfortunately, too much lace in any one space turns your room into a granny paradise.

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We know your grandma can’t get enough lace, but it looks undeniably outdated when used in modern home design. Plus, it’s not even that functional! How could it really protect your table with all those open spaces?

Use Paint Instead

Wallpaper is a good way to add a little interest to your space. Unfortunately, there was a time when some people took that to mean that any kind of wallpaper was acceptable. We’re here to tell you, that’s not the case.

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Wallpaper borders have got to go. Whether in the middle of a room or a trim at the top of your wall, bits of paper plastered around your space always look cheap. Either go for full wallpaper or be comfortable with nothing at all.

Who Thought of Popcorn Ceiling?

Most people can agree that popcorn ceilings were a terrible design choice. Not only are popcorn ceilings known to contain asbestos fibers, but they’re also just plain ugly. Popcorn ceilings were used throughout the ‘70s and beyond because they were good at absorbing sound, offering you a little more privacy in certain rooms of your house.

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However, a little sound reduction isn’t worth the outdated look of these messy ceilings. If you want popcorn, go to the movies, but please keep this textured look off the roof of your house.

Your Bed Doesn’t Need a Stage

Considering platform beds take up so much space, it really is a miracle that they were ever popular. However, the ‘70s design loved taking advantage of this trend.

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By putting your bed on a platform, you basically ensure that it’s the only focal point of your room. Depending on how much space you have, it might be the only thing you can fit in your room. It’s quite unnecessary, and we desperately hope this trend doesn’t find its way back into the mainstream.

Are Vertical Blinds Still a Thing?

Did anyone ever like vertical blinds? While they certainly work, they always manage to look turn your home into an office. They ruin the aesthetic of your room by draping over your window, forcing you to open them all the way to see into the outside world or close them entirely and shroud your home in darkness.

Getty Images Photo By Constantgardener


What’s more, the white vertical blinds always end up dirty, and they’re a huge pain to clean. Opt for a more contemporary blind option, or simply settle for curtains that beautiful frame your windows.

This Isn’t Hollywood

The mirrors rimmed with brightly-colored bulbs are perfect for children and young adults who want to live out their dreams of being a star. But as you get older, you realize that all that harsh lighting just brings out your wrinkles and other blemishes.

Getty Images Photo By Vincenzo Lombardo


Trust us, you don’t want to be blinded by this light every morning. You’re not a Hollywood star and you don’t need Hollywood mirror lights in your home.

Mirrored Ceilings – Yikes

We can’t lie—ceiling mirrors creep us out. They look like something straight out of a horror film, so it should come as no surprise that we don’t want to see them in any modern homes.

Getty Images Photo By Alfred Eisenstaedt


However, ceiling mirrors were once the height of chic design. Gloria Vanderbilt herself even embraced the look. Today, however, ceiling mirrors look cheesy and odd. Stick to the mirrors on the walls, rather than taking your looking glass to the roof.

Wrong Century

Edison bulbs are about as simple as you can get with your lighting—they’re just a plain bulb. While the inventors of this trend have tried to popularize the aesthetic by calling it “exposed,” the truth is it’s not very exciting.

Getty Images Photo By Brais Seara


While the look can work for a trendy coffee shop, it doesn’t translate well into a house. One bulb just looks lazy, and a whole group of bulbs will infuse your space with a little too much light. Plus, this lighting is incredibly harsh and unforgiving. Do you really want to deal with that every day in your own home?

Green Fridges

Brightly colored kitchen appliances aren’t a new invention. But nowadays, people will opt for a colorful mixer or kettle, leaving their main appliances to neutral designs like stainless steel or white.

Alamy Stock Photos


Sadly, the ‘70s weren’t just about green carpets. People also loved a green fridge. While the concept sounds fun in theory, it doesn’t look that good in application. That’s a lot of color in one corner of your kitchen, making it pretty difficult for you to balance the rest of your space and create a coherent aesthetic. We’ll stick with our silver-colored fridges, thank you.

That Fruit Is Not So Fresh

Much like the fake plants, fake fruit has even less of a place in your home decor. Somehow ‘90s style made some of us think this was okay. While the fake fruit could be fun to play with, it doesn’t actually add anything to your space.

Alamy Stock Photos


Instead of putting some fake fruit in a bowl, why not find a really incredible piece that fits with your design aesthetic? Not only will you elevate the look of your home, but you’ll also avoid guests accidentally trying to take a bite out of your decor.

You’re Showing Off

Curio cabinets are those free-standing glass display cases that house your most precious treasures. If you’re a collector, you might be tempted to get a curio cabinet to show off. Unfortunately, curio cabinets look old and dusty in the modern era.

Getty Images Photo By H. Armstrong Roberts


Design pieces and other trinkets should be bought so you can place them around your home, not so you can stuff them all into one tiny cabinet. Let your prized possessions mingle with the rest of your home or find a safe storage area where they won’t be touched, but don’t get a curio cabinet.

No To Tiled Bathrooms

While tile countertops could be found in nearly every home during the ‘70s, they’re just not that cute. We’re not sure who came up with this genius idea, but they should be fired.

Getty Images Photo by LOOK Photography


Beyond being exceptionally difficult to clean, tile countertops also aren’t very durable. They chip and stain easily, and are prone to stains and hidden bacteria. Those are all qualities that make tile countertops a terrible choice for any space that will get remotely dirty. Avoid the stress and the outdated look and go with a more modern material for your house.

A Frilly Skirt For Your Bed? No

The ruffled bed skirt trend finds its origin in the ‘80s, where nearly everything was ruffled. The skirt should add a little feminine appeal to a room, making it a perfect choice for young girls or women who don’t care about their husband’s opinions.

Getty Images Photo By Dan Forer


However, we believe that the ruffled bed skirt trend should never make its way back into the mainstream. Modern design is minimalist and chic. The ruffled bed skirt is too busy and froofy to look genuinely stylish.

Stop it With Those Damask Patterns

This interesting pattern could be found everywhere in the ‘90s. It combines a sort of floral and chintz to create texture all on its own that doesn’t really fit into either category. It’s not the worst-looking statement piece, but it was used so often during its popular time that we can’t stand to see it again.

Getty Images Photo By CSA


Plus, the damask pattern is now considered fairly old-fashioned. Large, statement blooms look a little more modern, but they still infuse your home with that delicate touch you’re looking for. Please graduate to a more modern look, instead of continuing to reuse damask.

The Futuristic Look

If you’re stuck in the present, you really shouldn’t try to live in the future. Unfortunately, interior design trends didn’t get the memo. Some interiors opt for chrome finishes and sculpted side tables to really bring out that futuristic look.

Alamy Stock Photos


Unfortunately, it always ends up looking a little dumb. The pieces never combine well with each other and the overall aesthetic is sterile and cold, rather than futuristic. If you’re aiming for a futuristic look, try something industrial instead. You might find that it works a little better.

This Pink Isn’t Cute Anymore

So far we’ve only been picking on trends from prior decades that need to go. However, millennial pink is a newer trend that needs to go in the trash. At first, the bubblegum-pink color brightened a space and added a bit of fun.

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But now, it has gone too far. Pink isn’t a color that can stand the test of time. After a few weeks in your blush-colored pad, you’ll be sick of seeing pink everyone you go. New tones like yellow and muted greens have the potential to endure as a design decision. It’s time to make the switch.

Don’t Sponge Your Walls

If you’re going DIY with your home design, it’s tempting to opt for something that’s easy, rather than something that actually looks good. We’re pretty sure that’s how the sponge walls trend got so popular.

Alamy Stock Photos


Instead of carefully painting the interior of their house, homeowners would dab paint on the walls using a sponge, creating an odd, textured look.  While texture can add some serious style to your space, sponge painting always looks lazy. It’s time to retire this DIY trend.

Get Rid of The Shag

While shag carpets feel wonderful under your bare feet, they’re also somewhat of a disaster to actually maintain. They tend to be fairly expensive, and they’re prone to unraveling over time, thereby leaving loose pieces of carpet all over your house.

Getty Images Photo By Fancy/Veer/Corbis


In addition, shag carpets tend to capture more dirt and debris and are more difficult to clean. Shag carpets aren’t even recommended to people with allergies for this very reason. Is the added comfort really worth the cost of both your health and a clean home?

Don’t Put Your Name On It

Although monograms feel like they belong in a different time, they’re actually circling back around to become popular once again. Unfortunately, we don’t support them.

Getty Images Photo by Horst P. Horst


What’s the point of emblazoning your initials on something you own? The monograms often look cheesy and tacky, and they don’t really add anything to your space. Don’t hop back on the bandwagon. Stay away from monograms.

Weird Chintzy Fabrics

While damask designs don’t belong in a modern home, chintz is just as bad. Chintz uses a multicolored cotton fabric with a glazed finish to create some…uh…interesting pieces of furniture. Like most bad design trends, chintz fabric really rose in popularity during the ‘70s.

Getty Images Photo by Horst P. Horst


However, any type of multi-colored fabric doesn’t really work anymore. At least, not as the primary focal point of your room. If you want to toss a statement chair in the corner with a bit of chintz fabric, it might work. But as a general rule, it’s best to steer clear of this design.

Throw Out The Stained Glass Lamps

Tiffany lamps emerged at the beginning of the 20th century when Louis Comfort Tiffany began creating lampshades that used much of the same processes as stained glass windows. While Tiffany lamps do have a sort of antique appeal, it’s difficult to blend them into a modern space.

Getty Images Photo by Davelogan


No matter how you try to spin it, Tiffany lamps make a room look dated and out-of-touch. If you can find a way to display the lamp that shows off the beautiful shade, we’re all for it. But if you’re planning to use it for actual lighting, we suggest that you just don’t.

Why Does This Exist?

Conversation pits sound like a bad social situation, but it was actually a ‘70s design feature that changed the architecture of your home. In the middle of a normal room, the floor would drop into a pit with built-in seating. When dinner parties would end, all the participants would head to the conversation pit to end the night.

Getty Images Photo by Horst P. Horst


Thankfully, normal living rooms serve the same purpose as the conversation pit. Plus, they don’t require cutting hole into your perfectly fine floor. We doubt conversation pits will be making a reappearance any time soon.

This Isn’t Tuscany

If you thought you could capture the appeal of the Italian countryside in your home, you’d probably opt for this design trend as well. The Tuscan kitchen was big in the early 2000s, and it does have a sort of grand elegance. The dark cabinets and stone accents look luxurious, but they don’t quite keep up with modern design trends.

Getty Images Photo by DenGuy


Now, the kitchen is supposed to be light, bright, and airy. After a while, the Tuscan kitchen can start to feel stuffy and dark. It’s not the worst design trend we’ve ever seen, but it should be retired nonetheless.

Massive Leather Sofas Are An Eyesore

Leather sofas, when done correctly, can look beautiful and homey. Unfortunately, the ‘70s brought us a trend of oversized leather furniture that dominates an entire space and can easily turn any family home into a man-cave. The trend reappeared in the early 2000s, but it looks like it’s officially died out once again. We’re hoping it doesn’t come back.

Getty Images Photo by Horst P. Horst


Leather itself will never go out of style, but the imposing nature of a huge leather couch t really ruins a room. Leave room for other things to exist in your room beyond your sofa.

Animal Rugs Are Out

You really should keep the zebra rugs, or any animal rug, for that matter, far away from your home. Beyond the fact that animal lovers will have your head, the striped rugs don’t fit comfortably in any space.

Getty Images Photo by Horst P. Horst


Zebra rugs were supposed to infuse a space with a kind of exotic flair during the ‘70s, but the design feels cruel and unnecessary. Plastering a zebra rug across your floor feels a little silly in the current climate. Plus, it leads to a rather cheesy-looking home design.

They’re Not Twins

There is definitely such a thing as too much matching. It’s great to tie your space together, but including window valances that match the curtains, and curtains that then match the furniture turns your space into a single-patterned nightmare.

Getty Images Photo By Michel Arnaud


This home decor decision is a staple of decades past. It might look good in your grandma’s house, but it’s not the look you should want in your own home. Go with something modern and updated, not a single, limited color scheme.

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