You’ve seen them in magazines, spotted them on social media, and maybe even incorporated them into your own home – those ubiquitous decor trends that seemed fresh and exciting at first glance.
While following popular design movements isn’t inherently wrong, interior designers are increasingly vocal about certain overdone elements that can make your space feel generic rather than genuine.
From the tired “Live Laugh Love” signs to the endless sea of gray-on-gray rooms, these decorating pitfalls might be diminishing your home’s true potential.
Before your next design project, you’ll want to know which trends professionals say are better left behind.
Word Art Wall Signs
Word art signs have taken over countless homes with their trite phrases like “Live Laugh Love” and “Blessed.”
While these mass-produced pieces once offered an easy way to fill blank walls, they’ve become the epitome of cookie-cutter décor, stripping homes of personality and reducing interior design to generic platitudes.
Instead of relying on these manufactured sentiments, you’ll create more impact by displaying pieces that truly reflect your journey and aesthetic vision.
Consider vintage concert posters, original artwork, or even your own photography.
If you’re drawn to typography, opt for authentic vintage signs or commission a local artist to create custom lettering that speaks to your unique story.
All-Gray Everything
Moving from wall decor to color schemes, the ubiquitous gray-on-gray aesthetic has saturated interior design for far too long.
This monochromatic approach, while once considered sophisticated, now reads as uninspired and cold.
You’ll find endless iterations: greige walls, slate furniture, and charcoal accents creating spaces that lack personality and warmth.
Break free from this cookie-cutter palette by introducing intentional pops of color and varying textures.
Instead of painting every wall gray, consider using it as an accent shade while incorporating rich jewel tones, warm woods, or vibrant textiles.
Your space shouldn’t feel like a cloudy day – it should reflect your personality and spark joy.
Remember, neutrals can still play a role in your design, but they shouldn’t dominate every surface in sight.
Mason Jar Decor
From Pinterest boards to rustic weddings, mason jars have become the poster child of oversaturated DIY decor.
While these glass vessels once offered a charming touch of farmhouse authenticity, they’ve devolved into a cliché that screams “trying too hard.”
You’ll find them transformed into everything from soap dispensers to light fixtures, often adorned with twine, burlap, or chalk paint.
It’s time to let mason jars return to their original purpose: preserving food.
If you’re seeking vintage-inspired storage or lighting solutions, consider antique apothecary jars, industrial pendant lights, or reclaimed glass vessels instead.
These alternatives offer the same nostalgic appeal without falling into the overdone farmhouse trap.
Your space deserves unique elements that reflect genuine creativity rather than following an exhausted Pinterest trend.
Accent Wall Obsession
The accent wall craze has reached peak saturation in contemporary home design.
While painting one wall in a bold color or covering it with geometric wallpaper might seem like an easy way to create visual interest, it’s become a predictable solution that often feels disconnected from a room’s overall aesthetic.
Instead of defaulting to this overdone trend, consider more sophisticated alternatives to create dimension in your space.
Try layering textures through textiles, incorporating architectural elements, or using thoughtfully curated artwork to achieve depth.
If you’re drawn to bold colors or patterns, integrate them throughout your space in a more organic way through upholstery, window treatments, or coordinated decor pieces.
This approach creates a more cohesive, intentional design that won’t feel dated when the next trend emerges.
Farmhouse Overload
Shiplap, sliding barn doors, and distressed wood signs emblazoned with “gather” have infiltrated nearly every corner of modern home decor.
While Joanna Gaines deserves credit for popularizing this rustic aesthetic, the farmhouse trend has become painfully oversaturated, turning unique homes into cookie-cutter replicas of each other.
You don’t need to transform your suburban home into a romanticized version of rural living.
Instead of mason jar light fixtures and weathered white furniture, consider incorporating select vintage pieces that tell your personal story.
If you’re drawn to farmhouse elements, choose one or two authentic items – perhaps a genuine antique butter churn or a well-worn harvest table – rather than mass-produced replicas.
Fake Plants Everywhere
While houseplants can breathe life into any space, artificial greenery has become an unfortunate shortcut in contemporary design.
You’ll spot these plastic imposters perched in every corner, dangling from shelves, and clustered in oversized arrangements that scream inauthentic.
The telltale sheen of polyester leaves and perfectly molded stems can’t replicate nature’s organic beauty.
If you’re concerned about maintaining real plants, start with low-maintenance options like snake plants or ZZ plants instead of filling your home with faux foliage.
When you do choose artificial plants, invest in high-quality pieces and use them sparingly.
Remember, it’s better to showcase one premium faux specimen than to clutter your space with countless bargain-bin alternatives that collect dust and diminish your room’s sophistication.
Rose Gold Accessories
Moving from artificial greenery to metallic finishes, rose gold has saturated the design world far beyond its welcome.
What began as a fresh alternative to traditional metallics has devolved into a cliché that’s now synonymous with dated millennial aesthetics.
You’ll find this overly precious finish on everything from drawer pulls to desk accessories, creating spaces that feel more like an Instagram backdrop than a livable home.
Instead of falling for this played-out trend, you’re better off investing in timeless metallic finishes like brushed brass, chrome, or classic gold.
These alternatives offer the same luxe appeal without the risk of your space looking passé in a year.
If you’re drawn to warmer metals, consider mixing different finishes to create depth and visual interest that won’t feel trapped in a specific design era.
Industrial Edison Bulbs
From warehouses to wine bars, exposed Edison bulbs have become the default choice for spaces attempting industrial chic.
While these vintage-inspired fixtures once signaled creative authenticity, they’ve devolved into a visual cliché that’s more predictable than revolutionary.
Their amber glow, though atmospheric, has become the equivalent of a design safety net.
You’ll find that moving beyond this overdone trend opens up far more interesting lighting possibilities.
Consider modern interpretations of industrial fixtures, sculptural pendants, or even minimalist track lighting that won’t date your space.
If you’re committed to the industrial aesthetic, explore alternatives like machined metal fixtures or repurposed factory lights that offer authenticity without the Edison bulb fatigue.
The key is creating ambiance that feels intentional rather than following a worn-out formula.
Oversized Clocks
Those massive statement timepieces that once dominated Pinterest boards have lost their novelty.
While oversized clocks initially made a bold architectural statement in industrial-chic spaces, they’ve become an overdone cliché that instantly dates your décor.
The trend peaked around 2015, and now these enormous wall pieces often overwhelm rooms and compete with more meaningful design elements.
Instead of hanging a giant clock that screams “I found this at HomeGoods,” consider more sophisticated ways to make a statement.
Try a curated gallery wall, a striking piece of abstract art, or an elegant mirror that adds depth and dimension.
If you’re set on incorporating timepieces into your design, opt for smaller, more refined versions that complement your space rather than monopolize it.
Your walls deserve better than yesterday’s tired trends.
Chevron Patterns
While chevron patterns once dominated everything from throw pillows to accent walls in the mid-2010s, this zigzag design has become one of the most exhausted motifs in home décor.
You’ll find it’s time to retire those sharp V-shaped stripes in favor of more timeless geometric patterns that won’t instantly date your space.
If you’re still drawn to angular designs, consider updating your look with more sophisticated alternatives like herringbone, which offers a similar yet more refined aesthetic, or opt for subtle curved patterns that create visual movement without the stark geometry.
When you’re ready to replace those chevron pieces, focus on organic shapes and flowing lines that’ll give your space a more current, evolved feel.
The key is choosing patterns that won’t become tomorrow’s telltale signs of yesterday’s trends.
Barn Doors Inside
Indoor barn doors exemplify another design trend that’s overstayed its welcome in contemporary homes.
While they initially offered a rustic-industrial solution for tight spaces where traditional swing doors weren’t practical, they’ve become an overdone cliché that can cheapen your home’s aesthetic.
These sliding doors often create more problems than they solve.
You’ll notice they don’t properly seal spaces for sound or temperature control, and their hardware frequently develops annoying rattles and alignment issues.
Most importantly, they’re becoming a dated marker of the 2010s farmhouse trend that’s rapidly falling out of favor.
Instead, consider sleek pocket doors, modern sliding panels, or architectural room dividers that’ll give you the space-saving benefits without the played-out pastoral reference.
Gallery Walls Gone Wild
Beyond their initial charm, gallery walls have morphed from artful displays into chaotic, overwhelming arrangements that dominate living spaces.
You’ll find these cluttered collections competing for attention, turning serene walls into busy, visual battlegrounds that exhaust the eye and diminish your room’s aesthetic appeal.
Instead of cramming every frame and print you own onto one wall, consider a more refined approach.
Select three to five significant pieces that truly speak to your style, and give them room to breathe.
You’ll create more impact with a thoughtfully curated collection than with a hodgepodge of random artwork.
If you’re drawn to multiple pieces, try rotating them seasonally – you’ll refresh your space naturally while avoiding the visual noise that’s become synonymous with overdone gallery walls.
Matching Furniture Sets
In the domain of dated design choices, matching furniture sets stand out as particularly problematic.
Buying an entire living room suite or bedroom collection straight off the showroom floor might seem convenient, but you’re sacrificing personality for predictability.
These cookie-cutter combinations often read as unimaginative and sterile.
Instead, curate your space with intentionally mismatched pieces that share a common thread—be it color palette, material, or era.
You’ll create depth by pairing a mid-century modern sofa with contemporary accent chairs, or combining vintage nightstands with a modern bed frame.
The key is maintaining cohesion through thoughtful contrast.
Think of your room as a carefully composed symphony rather than a monotonous single note.
Your furniture should tell a story of careful curation, not mass production.
Open Shelving Excess
Through the rise of social media and design blogs, open shelving has morphed from a practical storage solution into an overdone display trend.
While a few thoughtfully curated open shelves can add personality to your space, filling every wall with exposed storage creates visual chaos and maintenance headaches.
You’ll find yourself constantly dusting and rearranging items, while your kitchen or bathroom essentials become part of an exhausting display that demands perpetual styling.
Instead, opt for a balanced approach: incorporate one or two open shelving moments where they’ll make the most impact, while keeping the majority of your storage behind closed doors.
This way, you’ll maintain the fresh, airy feel that made open shelving appealing in the first place, without surrendering your space to an impractical Instagram-driven design cliché.
Nautical Theme Overkill
Moving from storage solutions to style choices, the nautical theme has sailed far past its charming origins into waters of pure saturation.
While a subtle maritime touch can evoke coastal tranquility, you’ll want to avoid turning your home into a seafarer’s museum.
Skip the obvious anchors-and-rope motifs plastered across every surface, and resist the urge to collect every piece of driftwood decor you spot.
Instead, if you’re drawn to coastal style, opt for sophisticated nods to the sea: a weathered brass telescope as a conversation piece, organic coral forms in a curated display, or a palette of muted ocean blues and sandy neutrals.
You’ll create an elevated coastal vibe without drowning your space in predictable maritime clichés that have become the hallmark of beach-themed gift shops.
Shiplap On Everything
The shiplap sensation that swept through home design has transformed from charming accent to overwhelming excess.
While this horizontal wooden paneling can add rustic character to select spaces, you’ll find it’s become a victim of its own popularity, appearing on every conceivable surface from bedroom walls to kitchen islands.
Instead of defaulting to wall-to-wall shiplap, consider using it strategically as a focal point in a single area, such as behind your bed or on a fireplace wall.
You’ll create more impact by limiting its use.
If you’re drawn to texture, explore alternatives like vertical tongue-and-groove paneling, grasscloth wallpaper, or modern board and batten.
Remember, your home shouldn’t feel like a cookie-cutter farmhouse – it should reflect your unique style and contemporary sensibilities.
Quote-Filled Throw Pillows
Despite their initial charm, decorative pillows emblazoned with inspirational quotes and sayings have saturated home decor to the point of cliché.
You’ve seen them everywhere: “Live, Laugh, Love,” “Home Sweet Home,” and countless variations of pseudo-profound statements that now feel more tired than inspiring.
Instead of relying on mass-produced sentiments, consider throw pillows that make a statement through sophisticated patterns, luxurious textures, or bold solid colors.
You’ll create a more timeless, elevated space by selecting pillows that complement your room’s aesthetic without spelling out obvious platitudes.
If you’re drawn to typography, try incorporating it in less expected ways, such as through abstract art pieces or vintage signage.
Your home should reflect your personality through thoughtful design choices, not generic retail messaging.
FAQs
How Long Do Interior Design Trends Typically Stay Relevant Before Becoming Outdated?
You’ll typically see interior design trends cycle every 7-10 years, though you’re better off choosing timeless elements that reflect your personal style rather than chasing fleeting trends that’ll quickly feel dated.
What’s the Average Cost Difference Between Trendy Decor Versus Timeless Pieces?
Want to know the real price of chasing trends? You’ll spend 30-50% more on trendy pieces that’ll fade, while timeless furniture and decor often costs more upfront but maintains value for decades.
Which Outdated Design Trends Are Likely to Make a Comeback?
You’ll notice Art Deco’s glamorous curves, 70s earthy palettes, and Memphis-inspired geometrics making strong comebacks. These revivals aren’t just nostalgic—they’re being reimagined with contemporary twists for today’s free-spirited spaces.
How Often Should Homeowners Update Their Interior Decor?
You’ll want to refresh your space every 5-7 years, but don’t feel bound by strict timelines. Instead, update when your aesthetic evolves or when you’re craving a change—trust your design intuition.
Do Regional Differences Affect Which Decor Trends Become Overused in Different Areas?
You’ll spot coastal themes flooding Miami homes while rustic-industrial vibes dominate Brooklyn lofts. Regional influences shape local design saturation, but thanks to social media, you’re seeing trends overlap more than ever across borders.
Final Thoughts
Instead of filling your space with mass-produced “Live Laugh Love” signs and predictable gray palettes, let your home tell your authentic story.
Trade those tired nautical anchors for curated artifacts that spark joy, and replace formulaic farmhouse fixtures with elements that celebrate your unique journey.
When you’re tempted by trendy templates, remember: true style isn’t found in following the crowd—it’s discovered in daring to be distinctly you.
