Home interior design, much like fashion, evolves with time. What was considered stylish and cutting-edge a decade or two ago might feel tired or overdone today. If your space includes heavy drapes or an all-beige Tuscan-inspired kitchen, it might be time to hit refresh.
Here are some outdated design trends that have lost their charm, along with suggestions for giving your home a contemporary update.
1. Matchy-Matchy Furniture Sets
Remember the days when buying a matching set of furniture was the ultimate goal? The three-piece living room set with a sofa, loveseat, and chair all in the same fabric? While it may have seemed polished back in the day, decorating with a uniform furniture collection now feels overly rigid and lacks personality.
The Modern Fix:
Create a layered look in your interior design by mixing and matching furnishings instead. Living room designers can consider pairing a sleek leather sofa with a textured fabric chair in an accent color or mixing wood tones for added depth. This creates a curated interior design that feels lively and authentic.
2. Heavy Draperies
Bulky curtains, valances, and layers of dark fabric were once prized for their dramatic appeal. But today, they can feel fussy and block out natural light. Heavy drapery makes spaces appear more enclosed and formal, which doesn’t resonate well with the casual, open styles preferred today.
The Modern Fix:
Living room designers now opt for light and airy treatments like linen or sheer curtains that allow sunlight to pour in while offering a touch of texture. Roller shades and minimalist blinds are also trendy for a clean and modern look in your master bedroom design that emphasizes function and simplicity.
3. Tuscan-Inspired Kitchens
Tuscan kitchens, with their warm earth tones, ornate cabinet designs, and wrought iron accents, once signaled upscale sophistication. Today, the dark finishes and heavy embellishments can feel dated, especially as preferences have shifted to light and bright spaces.
The Modern Fix:
Transition to a more modern kitchen by lightening things up. Swap out dark cabinetry for crisp white or neutral tones. Incorporate natural elements like marble countertops or open shelving made of light wood. Finish off the look with streamlined hardware in brass or matte black to bring in subtle elegance.
4. Shiplap Overload
Thank you, farmhouse design era! While shiplap had its moment thanks to a certain popular renovation show, it’s now been overused to the point of losing its charm. Covering every wall in shiplap can make a space feel more rustic than refined, creating a theme that’s hard to complement with other design styles.
The Modern Fix:
Rather than plastering an entire room in shiplap, consider limiting it to a single accent wall. Alternatively, lean into more versatile wall treatments like textured plaster finishes or wallpaper with subtle patterns. These accents soften a room without boxing it into one strict design aesthetic.
5. Overly Ornate Bathrooms
Bathrooms filled with elaborate fixtures like clawfoot tubs, vessel sinks, and an excess of mosaic tile were once the epitome of luxury. Today, however, such designs can feel overwhelming or impractical, especially for smaller spaces.
The Modern Fix:
Streamlined bathrooms with a focus on functionality are the way to go. Choose sleek vanities, walk-in showers with frameless glass doors, and simple hardware. Incorporate warmth through wood tones or greenery and keep patterns minimal for a clean and chic look.
Conclusion
Design is about expression, and your home should reflect who you are today, not who you were a decade ago. By rethinking outdated trends and introducing modern aesthetics into your master bedroom design, you can breathe life back into your living spaces. Sometimes, all it takes is swapping out a dark cabinet for a bright one or trading those heavy curtains for airy sheers. The key is finding timeless elements and blending them with a few current trends to create a look that feels fresh without being fleeting.