5 min readThere’s always going to be a lot of discourse surrounding interior design trends. Some design lovers embrace the idea of infusing fresh elements into their homes; others refuse to play into the popularity out of fear that the trend will make their house look outdated a lot faster. Whatever your stance, trends do play an important role in design, reflecting larger changes in culture, how we live in our homes, and the economic climate.
However, when trends linger past their prime, public perception turns sour, and these once-popular elements become outdated and overdone. To help us avoid what’s out for good, we asked a handful of interior designers to share which home trends they can’t fathom ever becoming popular again. From overused aesthetics to design choices that haven’t aged well to ones that, honestly, never really worked in the first place, find the trendy elements below that these experts deem “the worst.”
Vessel Sinks
We’re in the stage right now where some elements from the 1980s are coming back in style, which means certain ‘90s design trends are still officially out, according to designer Susie Novak. “A shocking amount of bad design traces back to the 90s,” she explains. “Vessel sinks top my list—they always look forced, they’re a nightmare to keep clean, and I’ve yet to see one that actually elevates a space.” For a more elevated look, opt for a farmhouse sink instead.
Glass Tile
Another ‘90s fad that Novak can’t get on board with is glass tile. “It’s miserable to install, and even at its best, it still reads like a sterile ‘90s bathroom,” she explains. However, matte tile stacked in a vertical grid makes her list too. “It looks like graph paper, not a finished room. It adds no texture, no beauty, nothing but lines on a page.”
Open Kitchens
For designer Barry Fox, an open concept kitchen is one of the worst design trends—and he knows that makes him “a heretic!” As he puts it, “I don’t want to socialize while I’m elbow-deep in a pot, and I definitely don’t want to stare at appliances while I do it, no matter how fancy the stove or how cleverly the fridge is camouflaged.”
While he can appreciate the sculptural beauty of a luxury espresso machine, no one wants to hear the dishwasher going or speak over the exhaust fan whirring while they’re trying to watch TV in the living room or entertain houseguests.
Brass Bathroom Hardware
Going back to the bathroom, Fox doesn’t want to see unlacquered brass hardware any day, especially when it’s been man-handled for twenty-plus years. This finish “doesn’t read as lived-in,” he explains, “it reads as please ‘replace this.’” He’d rather see polished nickel or bronze. “There’s a real difference between a finish that’s developed a beautiful patina and one that just looks dirty.”
All-Over Midcentury Modern
Before you get miffed that midcentury modern furniture is on this list of regrets, just know that the two designers who said this both recognize that the midcentury modern (MCM) aesthetic has its place—as long as there are other elements mixed in.
“About a decade ago, the resurgence of MCM design was everywhere, and for our generation, it felt somewhat nostalgic as we grew up with our grandparents' homes being MCM time capsules,” Mark Schubert of M2 Design Lab says. However, the design market was oversaturated by the look. Vintage pieces were everywhere, and then the aesthetic turned up in new collections by high-end and fast-furniture companies alike.
Designer Allison Handler agrees: “As my style and aesthetic have evolved, I really cringe at going all in on this style/trend a few years back.” However, she says that she'd still include midcentury modern pieces as long as she was able to mix in other design styles and transitional pieces, like warmer fabrics and textures, to soften the lines.
Chevron Everything
Anyone alive and coherent in the 2000s likely had a very close relationship with the chevron trend. Designer Amy Elbaum of AE Design sure remembers it.
“Looking back on the trend, I completely regret the style because chevron is such a bold pattern and usually includes high-contrast colors that make this type of fabric tire very quickly over time due to its intensity,” she explains. She also points out that chevron fabric doesn't easily transition into other design styles because it's such a modern and dominant pattern.
Ikat Fabric
Mikel Welch says that a trend he “dove into with full enthusiasm was Ikat fabric.” No vintage piece he found was safe from reupholstery in this bold, intricate fabric.
“Today, I can’t help but cringe when I see photos of that phase—those loud, busy designs don’t resonate with me anymore,” he adds. With his more minimalist approach today, the Ikat material simply feels too chaotic and less sophisticated than his preferred aesthetic now.
Chrome Accents
Designer Ali Budd looks back with regret on the phase in which she used low-quality chrome pieces in clients' homes. Rather than the items' general price, though, what bothers her most now is that they were typically knock-off versions of iconic furniture. “It’s not about trends—it’s about integrity,” she says.
Maximum Luxury
Excessively glam furniture pieces have fallen out of favor with designer Kristy Turner of Melanie Turner Interiors. “It used to be the go-to for adding instant luxury, but now it feels a bit dated and heavy-handed,” she says. The over-the-top shine and ornamentation aren't in style anymore—people are generally turning to more understated elegance instead, with sleek lines, natural materials, and a timeless vibe.
Jewel-Toned Velvet Sofas
It may be a bit controversial, but designer Alicia Held-Morris of Morris Lare Interior Design says that these once-beloved couches have not stood the test of time. “We love a good jewel-tone moment in the right interior, but not all velvets are created equal,” she explains. “Some velvets, particularly cotton, crush easily, show wear rapidly, and don’t hide any stains.” Those issues, combined with a rich tone, show every little bit of wear and tear.
Button-Tufted Chesterfields
While Held-Morris agrees that the Chesterfield sofa is beautiful and classic, the button-tufted versions are frankly a mess. “The button areas can get snagged easily, catch every little bit of dirt and dust, and aren’t that comfortable to sit on,” she says. Rather than the button-tufted backs, she suggests a cushion instead, or putting a button-tufted version in a place that doesn't get a lot of traffic, like an entry hall or at the foot of a bed.
