If you’re planning any home renovation, it’s so important to know about outdated interior design trends and what you can do to replace them instead. The last thing you want to do is make expensive updates to your home using outdated trends, and have an outdated home! We only want to update our home every 7-10 years since remodelling is expensive and stressful!
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Departure of the Sad Beige Era
I’m happy to say that the first trend that we’re going to see leaving is the sad beige era. The sad beige aesthetic is when the room is covered from floor to ceiling in beige. You’ll see beige walls, a beige sofa, a beige rug and beige furniture. There isn’t anything interesting to draw you into the space.
Instead, choose warm, dramatic or cozy colors. We need something interesting and impactful to make our spaces look fun and inviting. What you’re going to see instead, is a lot of dark moody colors, small scale wallpaper patterns and anything that makes you feel like the space is really warm and inviting.
Single geometric accent walls are out
Accent walls were really popular for the last few years. They rose in popularity because they make a big impact in a room! You walk into a room and think “Wow! I know what the focal point is.” If you have an angled geometric wall, it’s probably time to rip it out. Home design is moving away from this one single focal point.
Instead, room design is going to look really well thought out and intentional with different elements of the room working together. We’re going to see a lot more designers bringing color and pattern into all four of the walls of the room, and also the ceiling. This is called color drenching when basically every wall and ceiling in the room is the same color.
If you have an accent wall in your home it’s time to reconsider how you can make that a little more subtle and bring that design into the other walls of the room. Think about if you can add trimwork to the other walls? Or can you carry that paint color across the room? Or, it might be time to rip it out and start fresh!
Bold floor tiles are walking out the door
If I was to ever do any type of tiling I would never pick a really bold pattern, especially for floors. Floor tiles are extremely hard to replace. Bold pattern tiles are out. These were popular in a bathroom, laundry or entryway. The reason they are dated is that they’re just so bold and dramatic. We’re moving into a time where design is going to be a little bit more subtle.
Instead, if you’re going to be doing any type of tile work this year make sure you’re thinking about a classic kind of tile. This year, you’ll see a lot more large scale tiles, a subtle veining, and also checker patterns.
Gray Wood Flooring is Washed Out
Gray wood flooring was really popular but it was always in a vinyl. Honestly, it looks kind of cheap. The reason you want to pick a wood floor is that you want it to add warmth and comfort to your home. That gray color it’s not really a natural wood tone and that’s what makes it look a little bit outdated.
Gray wood flooring was really popular for the last 7 years. A lot of new home builders put them in to the new homes. When we went to go buy our home, our home builder recommended gray wood floor.
Instead, If you’re going to be changing any type of flooring, whether it is your hardwood or vinyl flooring, think about more midtone woods. Opt for floors that aren’t too yellow, or red or white. Choose a more neutral natural wood to have longevity in the floors design.
Gray Walls are so Drab
Along with gray wood flooring, we’re saying bye-bye to gray painted walls. Gray walls are definitely a trend that’s over. Gray walls make the space look drab.
Instead, choose a nice nice soft white. Whites come in lots of different tones. Choose a white paint color can be so overwhelming. I have a guide on how to pick a great white, and some of my favorite white paint colors.
My favorite white paint colors are Pure White by Sherwin-Williams. This is a white color that is really transitional and works in a lot of spaces regardless of lighting. Another great option for white walls is Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. Swiss Coffee is a really nice warm white that doesn’t have too much yellow undertones.
Bye Bye Barn Doors
I’m happy to say that barn doors have run their course. We don’t live in a farmhouse, so there’s no need to have a barn door. I could never have a barn door in my home since you need a lot of wall space.
Door design has become really popular. I love doors because they make such a big impact in your home. They are often overlooked by so many homeowners.
Instead of a barn door, simply paint your existing doors. Black doors were really popular for the last few years. Black doors will continue to be popular, but we’re going to see a lot more cream doors. Cream doors will be more popular because they are more timeless. Great cream door colors are Natural Linen by Benjamin Moore, or Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams.
You can also update your doors by the door design. Shaker style doors are popular. Replacing a door is a simple DIY you can do yourself! It makes your home look much more modern.
All White Modern Kitchens are too Minimalistic
The kitchen is one of the spaces that we spend the most money and time in. Ultra white modern kitchens are out. The minimal, flat panel cabinet doors with the silver handles and white counter top is out. I have one of these and I’ve been thinking about how I can update it.
Instead, add warmth and invitation into your home. Use a shaker style door to add depth. Bring color to your cabinetry with a soft taupe or beige. I have a blog with a list of beautiful beige and taupe cabinet colors. Opt for a darker Island and mix in metallic finishes.
Subway Tiles are Boring and Overdone
Subway tiles are out. Don’t object yet, hear me out! The subway tile pattern is out because it is so modern and has really harsh angled lines.
Instead, designers are calling for more soft edge tiles. Zellige tiles are having their moment. There’s so many different types of patterns and ways that you can lay zellige tiles. The main characteristic of these tiles is that they look like they’re handmade out of clay. These tiles don’t have that really harsh sharp edges.
It’s much easier to DIY a zellige tile wall versus a subway tile because you don’t have to get the gout lines perfectly crisp. With zellige tiles, you can simple stack the tiles. You don’t even need to put a spacer in between the tiles. Zellige tiles are really popular as backsplashes in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Fast Furniture is Filling up the Landfills
I’m guilty of buying fast furniture. Most of the furniture I bought 7 years ago, needs to be replaced. If I could go back in time, I would buy investment pieces. Fast furniture is similar to fast fashion. It’s short term and is filling up the landfill.
Fast furniture is made of cheaper materials, the foam on the cushions doesn’t last as long, or the structure of wood pieces breaks.
Anything Farmhouse is Outdated
There’s ways to use elements of the farmhouse era like wood beams, and wood floor and still making your home look classic. Take Shea McGee as an example -she uses elements like shiplap and wood beams in an elegant way.
Some people say shiplap is out, but I disagree. I’ve used shiplap to cover my popcorn ceiling and it looks amazing! I’ve also used it as a moody accent wall in my bathroom.
I think shiplap can look dated when it’s painted white and mounted horizontally, or used on a single accent wall. If you’re going to use shiplap, take it all around the perimeter of the room on every wall, and install it vertically
And I hope I don’t have to say this, but let’s avoid anything that has cutesy sayings on it – like “bless this mess”. Second hand stores are filled with them.
Using a Single Metallic Finish Looks too Perfect
In the last few years, we saw brass accessories like door knobs, cabinet hardware and lighting make a huge comeback. I love brass, but I think we went a little bit too far into all brass.
Instead, try mixing brass and other types of metals. Mixing brass with polished nickel is a very high end look. If done well, it makes you look like a design pro! For example, in a kitchen makeover, use a polish nickel faucet and brass handles. In a bathroom, break up all the matte black fixtures with something that shines.
Always do What you Love in your Home!
These are the trends that we’re saying goodbye to this year. I hope this gave you some ideas on how to change your home to make it more current, and what to do instead! If you disagree with these, that’s okay! It’s your home! You have to live in it, so make it a space you love.
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