Interior designers, what is one of the most overdone, outdated, or overrated home and interior design trends? What home trend do you wish would disappear—and what would you love to see replace it?

One of the most overrated trends I see is wood-look tile. While the intention is to bring warmth and organic texture into wet spaces, it cheapens a home's look because the grout lines immediately reveal it's a fake. Wood planks simply don't make sense visually in a bathroom, for example, since we know instinctively that wood shouldn't go in a wet area. If you want the character of wood in a moisture-prone space, use strategic real wood elements instead, like as a beautiful custom vanity, millwork accents, or even a teak stool or bench in a shower. That's a far more authentic and timeless way to bring the warmth of wood into a wet space.

One of the most outdated home and interior design trend that has somehow managed to crawl back into the world of interior decoration, is bold kitchen cabinet colors. I consider this vintage kitchen design trend to be outdated for several reasons, but mostly because it is nologer in line with popular taste and latest kitchen asthetics, plus there is also the fact that homeowners soon come to realize that they should have gone for a more timeless and versatile look, and not one that is already outdated, especially when it comes time to sell the house. When it comes to home design, the fact is that kitchen cabinets are one of the most expensive features in the kitchen, and today, there is such a thing as overwhelming the spsce eith too many bold or clashing designs, especilly in a room like the kitchen where functunality and flow is key. Another interior design trend that I would like to see replace this bold kitchen cabinet trend, is the return to embracing timeless and classic designs in the kitchen. You see, what makes mild kitchen cabinet colors so timeless ans classic, is the fact that they have a clean air about them, which is why they easily blend with various design styles and decor to bring a sense of warmth and elegance to the kitchen, which is unlike the cacaphonic effect that bold or bright colors sometime creates in a modern kitchen.

There's a particular trend I believe we'll look back on the way we now view plastic slipcovers on sofas: with a puzzled shake of the head and a quiet hope we've evolved since. I'm talking about the "modern farmhouse everything"—those cookie-cutter shiplap walls, faux rustic signs with cursive quotes, and stark black fixtures peppered into every corner like punctuation marks. What began as an honest nod to Americana—warm, lived-in, handcrafted—has been mass-produced into a kind of set design. There's little real heritage left in it, just formula. We've forgotten the origin stories of our homes. And the best interiors, after all, are autobiographical. They carry the fingerprints of place, time, and personality—not just Pinterest. We've mistaken sameness for style, and in doing so, we've edited ourselves out of our own homes. Instead of pasting over spaces with trend templates, I'd love to see a return to emotional layering. Bring back a lived-in aesthetic that honors contradiction: a sleek sofa beside a centuries-old console, or modern lighting against textural plaster walls. In fact, we explore this idea of elegant tension at RachelBlindauer.com, especially in "Designing for Couples", where reconciling different styles becomes both a relational and spatial triumph. Let's also talk about materials. I'd love to see the dominance of painted MDF and faux finishes replaced with authentic, tactile materials. Not everything needs to be precious—but it should be honest. Natural linen, handmade tile, real wood with imperfect grain... these are the textures that age well. They tell stories over time, instead of just performing well on Instagram for a month. Because ultimately, good design isn't about chasing what's popular. It's about what endures. What nourishes. What you return to again and again. — Attribution: Rachel Blindauer, Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, and Purveyor of Beautiful Things Rachel Blindauer is an award-winning interior and product designer known for crafting spaces that feel as good as they look. With over 15 years of experience, her firm specializes in elevated residential interiors and destination-level hospitality design. In addition to her interiors, she curates design-forward pieces available at shop.rachelblindauer.com, a home for the beautifully considered. Images and headshot available upon request.

Here's my controversial take: Live edge furniture is the millennial equivalent of putting a doily on everything. After years of watching clients obsess over these supposedly "organic" pieces, I'm ready to call it what it is - a trend that's become as predictable as the farmhouse signs it replaced. Live edge furniture naturally embodies sculptural shapes, retaining the wood's organic form, but here's the irony: most of these pieces are mass-produced in factories. Every dining table has the same studied imperfection, the same strategically placed knots, the same "natural" finish. We've turned authenticity into a commodity. Real authenticity is the 1920s dining table your grandmother passed down, with its honest wear patterns and actual history—not a piece designed to look weathered straight from the showroom. Instead of buying furniture designed to look imperfect, choose pieces with real patina. 81% of designers are sourcing vintage furniture from the 1920s through the 1990s in 2024 - and for good reason. These pieces have genuine character. Give me a perfectly executed joint, a flawless finish, a piece that showcases skill rather than hiding behind "rustic charm." There's beauty in precision. 2024 was the year of the 'anti-trend', moving in favor of spaces filled with character and personality. This is exactly right. The future isn't about following the next live edge equivalent—it's about curating spaces that reflect who you actually are. Stop designing for the algorithm. Start designing for your life.

What is one home and interior design trend that is overdone/over and outdated? White herringbone subway-tile backsplashes are the vanilla of kitchen finishes, safe, everywhere, and completely forgettable. A non-standard substitute would be to apply bookmatched marble slabs for a continuous vein-drawn focal point, or opt for handmade encaustic tiles that add color and pattern without overpowering the room. What home trend are you ready to see retire, and what would you like to see in its place? I would love to see the grey shaker-cabinet trend go away; it has been everywhere for about five years now, and it is starting to read as "I tried too hard." In one flip, we witnessed a sexy charcoal kitchen age horribly within months, clashing with warm wood floors and muddying natural light. I would rather see another two-toned scheme: deep forest-green lowers with their feet on the earth provided by the ash-veneer uppers, set off by open shelving in the lower-cabinet hue made from salvaged teak. That pairing makes storage a sculptural statement while lending each kitchen a personal signature, rather than feeling like a cookie-cutter copy.

After three decades designing homes and leading projects across Ohio, the trend that drives me crazy is the obsession with massive open-concept everything. I've watched too many families realize their 40-foot great room becomes an acoustic nightmare where kids can't do homework while parents cook dinner. The real issue is that these cavernous spaces actually reduce functionality rather than improve it. In our Miller Residence project, we initially planned a huge open area, but the clients quickly realized they needed defined zones for different activities. One of my team members puts it perfectly - he acts as "half architect, half psychologist" because couples constantly fight about how to use these undefined spaces. What I'd love to see replace it is the return of thoughtfully connected spaces with flexible boundaries. We're now designing homes with movable walls, sliding panels, and multi-functional rooms that can adapt to changing needs. These spaces give families the connection they want while maintaining the privacy and acoustic separation they actually need. The best part is watching clients refind how much they use their homes when each space has a clear purpose. We've seen families go from shouting across vast rooms to actually enjoying intimate conversations in properly scaled living areas that still flow together beautifully.

Having traveled North America and Europe long enough to feel very professional about this, with love - the all white everything trend should vanish. White on white kitchens with flat, sterile cabinets lack texture and are now feeling dated, much less timeless. It might photograph well, but it feels flat in real life. Clients still ask for them because it is feel "safe", but we know it lacks character and is unforgiving. I'd want to replace that with warm minimalism. I'm talking about limewash walls, natural-oak cabinetry, unlacquered brass, and deep textures like linen or terracotta. It is still minimal, yet there is depth, softness, and patina. We're now designing modular hospitality lounges using these materials as they feel more grounded, less showroom, and more sanctuary. Design should feel lived in, not merely pinned. And certainly, in 2025, soul trumps symmetry every time.

What is one of the most overdone, outdated, or overrated home and interior design trends? I think the suddenly ubiquitous white subway-tile backsplash has sneaked into cliche territory, transforming what was once a gesture of timeless simplicity into a visual gag, one that makes any kitchen that incorporates it seem interchangeable and sterile. All those shiny bricks — whether they are thick or thin, wide or narrow, grout black or white (or the absence of grout at all) — start to merge into one when you're spotting them in half the listings on the market. Alternatively, I've nudged projects toward encaustic-style cement tiles or gradient glass mosaics, using them to inject personality through gentle shifts in color or a hand-painted dose of the imperfect. I remember one flip where we installed an extreme Moroccan-inspired pattern that pushed the envelope; potential buyers could be seen standing in the space commenting on how warm and original it was— evidence that leaving the cookie-cutter kingdom can pay dividends both emotionally and financially. What home trend do you wish would disappear—and what would you love to see replace it? The open-plan "great room " was once hailed for promoting togetherness, but all too frequently, it came at the expense of privacy, acoustics, and the cozy, cave-like corners that help make a house a home. I've witnessed families huff and puff their way through airborne kitchen smells and juicehead TV volume, and I've watched formal dinners become the back end of daytime errands. Instead of any-and-all walls must come down, I am the large proponent of flexible partition systems — sliding frosted-glass panels or room dividers in the spirit of the Japanese shoji — that allow rooms to stretch or shrink on command. In one remodel we added pocket doors with opaque panels that filter the light, and gave the homeowner a breakfast nook brightened by morning light that dissolves into an open-plan gathering space when the sun goes down.

After changing hundreds of Denver homes, the most overdone trend I see is the farmhouse shiplap explosion. Every client wanted shiplap accent walls, barn doors, and rustic wood everywhere - it turned unique homes into identical Pinterest boards. The problem hits hardest in bathrooms where I've had to rip out water-damaged shiplap walls within 2-3 years. These materials weren't designed for moisture, and families end up spending thousands fixing what looked trendy initially. I've personally removed more barn doors than I've installed in the past two years because they're impractical and constantly break. What's actually working now is clean, organic textures like natural stone accent walls and custom built-ins with subtle wood grain. One recent kitchen renovation replaced fake farmhouse elements with live-edge walnut shelving and limestone backsplash - the family loves how it feels sophisticated without trying too hard. The replacement trend I'm excited about is "quiet luxury" - high-quality materials used simply rather than trendy elements used everywhere. It photographs better, ages gracefully, and doesn't scream a specific decade when you look back.

After 22 years in the rug business and helping thousands of customers transform their homes, the trend that absolutely needs to disappear is the "bigger is always better" rug mentality. People keep buying oversized rugs that swallow their entire room, thinking it looks luxurious, but it actually makes spaces feel cramped and kills the room's natural flow. From my experience at Rug Source, I've seen this mistake countless times - customers ordering 12x15 rugs for modest living rooms where an 8x10 would be perfect. The oversized rug eliminates the beautiful contrast between flooring and textile, making everything look flat and monotonous. We actually started offering free virtual consultations because so many customers were making this sizing error. What I'm pushing clients toward instead are properly proportioned rugs with strategic placement. A well-sized rug should ground your furniture while still showing 12-18 inches of your actual flooring around the edges. This creates visual breathing room and makes your space feel larger, not smaller. The families who've made this switch consistently tell me their rooms feel more balanced and sophisticated. When you can see the interplay between your beautiful hardwood or tile and the rug's texture, that's when the magic happens in interior design.

One trend that feels overdone is the excessive use of ship-lap on every wall. While it offers a rustic, farmhouse vibe, it becomes overwhelming and loses its charm when overused. Instead, consider embracing textured wall panels in smaller doses. Think about using reclaimed wood panels or three-dimensional surfaces strategically on an accent wall or two. This approach creates visual interest without turning the entire space into a theme park of shiplap. Textured panels provide depth and character and when paired with the right lighting, they can highlight the natural beauty of varied materials. Working with American-made rugs, I see how texture and thoughtfully selected materials can transform a room with simple, yet carefully chosen enhancements.

After 25 years painting Springfield homes, the most overdone trend I see is the all-gray everything obsession. Every room painted in identical gray shades with zero personality or warmth. Gray was supposed to be "timeless neutral" but now it screams 2015-2020 house flip. I've repainted dozens of these cookie-cutter gray houses because families can't stand living in what feels like a hospital. The resale agents are even telling sellers to move away from it because buyers associate it with cheap flips. What I'm seeing work much better is warm, earthy neutrals like soft beiges, warm whites, and muted greens. These colors actually complement natural wood tones and create spaces people want to spend time in. One recent project switched from builder-grade gray to a warm mushroom tone, and the homeowners said it finally felt like home instead of a waiting room. The best part about moving away from gray is that warmer neutrals photograph better for social media and actually increase natural light reflection compared to those flat gray walls everyone got stuck with.

As Marketing Manager for FLATS® overseeing properties across multiple cities, the trend that absolutely needs to die is the Instagram-perfect "staged minimalism" that looks stunning in photos but creates soulless, impractical living spaces. I've analyzed thousands of resident reviews through our Livly feedback system, and the most consistent complaint isn't about functional issues—it's about units feeling "cold" or "like a hotel room." When we launched our video tour program for The Lawrence House and other properties, we finded something fascinating: prospects spent 40% more time viewing units that showcased personality through thoughtful details rather than stark, empty spaces. The sterile all-white-everything aesthetic that dominates social media actually reduces emotional connection to the space. What I'd love to see replace it is "lived-in luxury"—spaces that feel both liftd and comfortable. At The Lawrence House, we've preserved original Art Deco details like stained-glass skylights and terrazzo flooring while adding modern amenities. This approach increased our tour-to-lease conversion by 7% because people can actually envision building a life there. The data doesn't lie: when we analyzed our portfolio performance, properties with character details consistently outperformed sterile modern units in both occupancy rates and resident satisfaction scores. People want spaces that feel like homes, not magazine spreads.

After completing 100+ roofing and exterior projects across Colorado, I've seen countless homeowners make the same mistake: the gray-on-gray-on-gray interior trend that's been dominating for the past 5+ years. Every kitchen, bathroom, and living room looks identical with gray cabinets, gray countertops, and gray walls. This monochrome approach creates spaces that feel cold and institutional rather than welcoming. In my remodeling work, I've watched families move into these "modern" spaces only to realize they lack personality and warmth. The trend has become so overdone that it's actually hurting resale values in some Denver metro neighborhoods. What I'd love to see replace it is warmer, more natural color palettes that complement Colorado's landscape. Think rich woods, warm whites, and earth tones that actually make a home feel lived-in. I've noticed the most satisfied clients from our portfolio are those who chose materials that reflect their personal style rather than following whatever's trending on social media. The homes that stand out in our portfolio—like our Isabell St. project—incorporated natural textures and varied color schemes that will still look great in 10 years. Gray everything will date these homes faster than any other design choice I've seen in my career.

After 23 years in custom cabinetry across the Sunshine Coast, the most overdone trend I'm seeing is the "white shaker cabinet with subway tile" combination. Every second kitchen renovation request includes this exact pairing, and honestly, it's creating spaces that feel like cookie-cutter showrooms rather than personalized homes. The problem isn't that these elements are inherently bad—it's that they've become the default "safe" choice. I've had clients choose this combination purely because it's what they see everywhere, not because it reflects their lifestyle or cooking habits. Our Bond Court project in Doonan proves this point: we worked with young clients who initially wanted the standard white shaker look, but we pushed them toward a moody, modern design with floating marble benchtops and mixed timber textures. What I'd love to see replace it is functional customization based on how people actually use their kitchens. Instead of following trends, I encourage clients to think about their cooking style, storage needs, and entertaining habits first. Our Sailfish Drive project is a perfect example—we created a minimalistic design with clean lines and smart storage solutions that actually solved the client's specific problems rather than just looking Instagram-ready. The kitchens that still impress me years later are the ones where we prioritized the client's unique requirements over whatever was trending on Pinterest. These spaces age better because they're built around timeless functionality rather than fleeting aesthetics.

One of the most overdone and frankly outdated trends I see—especially in outdoor and leisure-focused design—is the all-gray everything aesthetic. While neutral palettes have their place, the dominance of cold grays in furniture, decking, and decor has made many spaces feel more like showrooms than inviting retreats. It lacks warmth, character, and the personal touch that turns a space into a sanctuary. At Canadian Home Leisure, we believe your home—especially your leisure areas—should reflect comfort, connection, and personality. That's hard to achieve when everything looks like it came from the same monochromatic catalog. What I'd love to see replace it? Organic tones, mixed materials, and texture-rich design. Think natural wood finishes, warm neutrals, soft outdoor textiles, and design elements that create a sense of calm and warmth. These styles not only elevate the look of a space, but they also contribute to overall well-being—something we prioritize when helping clients design their backyard escapes or indoor wellness areas like saunas and hot tub nooks. A home leisure space should feel like a getaway, not a sterile design experiment. Bringing in earthy tones, handcrafted elements, and a mix of contemporary and timeless pieces makes a space more welcoming and enduring. In short, let's move away from design that feels cold and impersonal. Instead, let's embrace comfort-forward, human-centric spaces—whether it's a cozy firepit area with plush seating or a dining zone that invites lingering conversation. Design trends come and go, but well-thought-out spaces that prioritize relaxation and connection never go out of style.

Gray everything needs to stop. Gray floors, gray walls, gray cabinets. It flattens the energy in a home. I've seen too many customers walk into spaces that feel cold and lifeless because someone followed a neutral trend without thinking about balance. Trends that dominate every surface rarely age well. They create homes that feel staged, not lived in. At ReallyCheapFloors.com, we're seeing more people shift toward warmer tones like natural wood looks, earthy browns, and soft beiges. These floors pair better with diverse styles. They invite more personality into a room. One customer replaced their gray vinyl planks with a honey oak finish. Same layout, same furniture, but the whole space looked more welcoming. That's the power of thoughtful material choice. I'd also drop open shelving in kitchens. It collects dust, it limits storage, and most people can't keep it styled. Upper cabinets with clean lines are making a comeback for good reason. People want ease and practicality. That's what we lean into when recommending flooring. Don't chase short-term looks. Build a space you want to live in five years from now.

As someone who's built Task Masters into a trusted name doing both indoor and outdoor renovations across Minnesota, the trend that needs to die is the gray-on-gray-on-gray monochrome obsession. I've lost count of how many clients come to me wanting everything in various shades of gray because they think it's "timeless" and "safe." The problem is these spaces end up feeling cold and lifeless, like a medical facility rather than a home. We had one family who insisted on gray walls, gray floors, and gray cabinets for their complete remodel, then came back six months later asking us to add warmth because their kids refused to hang out in the main living areas. What I'm pushing clients toward instead is incorporating natural materials that actually connect with Minnesota's beautiful landscape - warm wood tones, natural stone textures, and earthy colors that complement our changing seasons. When we blend these materials thoughtfully, homes feel grounded and inviting rather than sterile. The change is immediate when we replace that gray subway tile backsplash with natural stone or swap gray laminate for rich wood elements. Families start using their spaces differently, and I consistently hear that guests actually want to spend time in these rooms rather than just passing through them.

The trend I would gladly retire is the all-gray interior: gray walls, gray floors, gray furniture, even gray kitchen cabinets. What started as a clean, minimalist palette has become a flat backdrop that makes spaces feel cold and one-dimensional. After a few years, the monotone look dates a home as quickly as the red accent walls of the early 2000s. I would replace the endless gray with layered neutrals warmed by natural materials. Think creamy plaster walls paired with light oak flooring, sandy beige sofas accented by woven textures, and matte black or aged brass hardware for contrast. This still reads modern and restrained, but subtle color variation and organic finishes bring depth and comfort. The shift also lets homeowners refresh a room with new textiles or artwork without repainting every surface, making the design both friendlier and more flexible over time.

One of the most overdone and overrated trends in recent years is the excessive use of shiplap walls and the generic "modern farmhouse" aesthetic. While originally charming in rustic or country homes, the trend has been replicated to the point of losing its authenticity—especially when it's forced into urban apartments or contemporary homes where it feels entirely out of place. What's unfortunate is that shiplap has often been used as a quick fix to add "character" instead of thoughtfully considering materials that speak to a home's architecture or a client's personality. At Ad+L Studio, we prefer to move away from this formulaic approach and embrace materials with integrity. I'd love to see the shiplap era give way to more organic, textural wall finishes—like microcement, limewash, hand-troweled plaster, or raw stone. These finishes offer depth, subtle movement, and a tactile quality that feels both modern and timeless. They allow the walls to become a quiet backdrop that still holds visual interest, without overwhelming the space. We believe a home should tell a story that's personal, not just Pinterest-perfect. Instead of chasing trends, choose materials that age gracefully, enhance light, and reflect how you actually live. That's what creates a space that truly lasts.