Trends come and go, and we know that not all that comes must be embraced since they won’t be in forever. For the past few years, there are interior decoration trends that are loved and well-received, but for a lot of designers, it’s just their time to go. Some are overused, some became boring, and for some, their time is just over. Here are some trends in interior decoration that should be saying goodbye by now.
1. Copper
Joining in the “what’s in bandwagon” is encouraged, but remember that any trend is best used in moderation. Too bad if you’re one of those copper lovers that bought a lot of copper-bottomed pans (to match their copper range), copper candlesticks and copper light fixtures. Copper has been so hot – it became a favorite metal of a lot of DIYers – but copper simply isn’t as timeless as other metals like gold. Its reddish-brown tone is pleasing to the eyes, but sometimes it has a tendency to look cheap. In terms of metal finishes, gold is a classic. It’s beautiful and it always goes back to trend.
2. Brass
Since we started with a metallic element, let’s talk about another metal that has to be subdued. Brass brings a shiny metallic appeal to your interiors, but it has been overused for the last few years. It was pretty, especially those pieces that shows some wear and patina, but using too much of it makes your home look trying hard and unnatural. If you want to use brass, pair it with an oil-rubbed bronze or chrome fittings and hardware. It’s also best used with mirrored surfaces, black steel, and wooden elements. Don’t use too much brass – use it in small accents only. And steer clear of fast-fashion brass, it looks super yellow.
3. All-white kitchens
During the ‘90s, designers attempted to move away from flashy kitchen designs from the ‘80s, and it gave birth to the rise of the all-white kitchens. Using white countertops, white cabinets, white appliances, and white floors and walls looked fresh, light and airy. A lot of homeowners adapted the trend until all all-white kitchens seemed to look the same. It’s an attempt at minimalism for contemporary kitchens that became way too minimalistic. The look became too clinical and stark and requires too much effort (and a lot of home cleaning products) to clean and maintain. It’s pretentious and impractical, especially if you have kids at home, so it would probably look great only for the first few months. Mixed-material kitchens are the better choice, and those with more depth and tones are ruling the kitchens right now.
4. Carrara marble
An all-white kitchen isn’t complete without a Carrara marble. It’s stunning, it’s beautiful, it’s classic – but it seems like we’ve seen too much of it already. Also, it’s a high-maintenance material that has turned off a lot of people. Nowadays, easy-to-clean countertops like soapstone and quartz are more preferred.
5. Indigo
Indigo has been everywhere in the past few years and it has become too common. Yes, indigo is a nice hue – its dark blueish violet hue is lovely – but it has been overused. It became too predictable and has failed to create a visual impact that it used to create. If you want to incorporate a variety of blue tones, try handcrafted indigo prints that show imperfections to make it look less predictable.
6. Gray
Neutral, toned down gray has been used ubiquitously in a lot of walls these past few years. It’s a safe color that brings a cool and calming vibe, but people are now craving for warmer hues like taupes, mochas, minks, and even mustard. Gray is fine, but it has been overdone. Diverse colors, contrasting tones, and more texture will be more embraced.
7. Millennial pink
That pale, blush pink we’ve seen on a lot of Instagram feeds had dominated the fashion, design and even gadget worlds in 2016. Because it’s such a hip, chic and trendy color, some people have committed to the trend by painting their walls millennial pink or bought a big pink sofa with that color. But it’s far too popular to last, and when people would enter your millennial pink room, it would feel like it’s 2016 again. If you like this pretty hue, opt for soft coral salmon peach, it’s easier to pair with other colors.
8. Hollywood lighting
A lot of people envied the Hollywood lifestyle, so some of them let themselves experience even just a glimpse of it by installing Hollywood lighting. These are mirrors framed in bright yellow bulbs, placed in bathroom vanities or bedroom makeup tables. It was a trend in the ‘90s and continued on through the 2000s, but some people still continue to install it. Designers wish that it would stay in the past where it belongs. It’s not really flattering, both to your interior and to your makeup, and it’s harsh for the eyes. Bathroom and vanity lighting nowadays are softer and more delicate.
9. Sponge painting
During the ‘90s, people started experimenting and tried to get crafty with painting their walls. One painting technique that became popular was adding texture to the walls through sponge painting. It gave people a fresh new option in the world that was mad about floral wallpaper. It was also an easier and cheaper option than having a wall with a perfect paint job (talk about the coats of paint needed). Though it created visual texture, it didn’t make homes look classier – it just reveals how cheaply you treated your walls. You really get what you pay for with sponge painting. It still didn’t beat flat, yet chic and bold matte-painted walls.
10. Edison bulbs
A lot of eateries and coffee shops in Brooklyn followed the Edison bulbs trend, and it also entered a lot of homes. It’s an old-fashioned pendant light style that has an exposed bulb. It’s cute and charming at first, but once you get to see a lot of them on every street in the city, it would simply become boring. It just got stale. To make a statement, just pick a chandelier or a bronze pendant light – these Edison bulbs won’t make a statement anymore.
11. Barn door sliders
The barn door was adapted and became on the trend for a good reason: it simply saves space. Not all rooms, especially those packed ones, have a space for a swinging door. It was a clever solution until it became outdated and tacky. Barn doors are great if you live in a barn or if your home is in a rustic or industrial style. It will really make your home look dated after a few more years.
12. Super sleek lines and sharp edges
A home must always be about comfort, but a lot of minimalistic home designs used a lot of sleek lines and sharp edges that made the interiors a bit more cold and impersonal. The modern style homes had this idea that all must be smooth, sleek, boxy and flat – simply because, it’s modern. This is the era of updating the definition of modern, wherein rounded edges, circular furniture, and more texture that brings warmness, calm and comfort are more ideal.
13. Typography
We live in a world full of Facebook and Twitter statuses – do we still need a catchy saying or quote displayed in the house? It was eye-catching at first, but it’s getting too common that nothing becomes catchy anymore. You probably saw a lot of “Live Love Laugh” statement above a sofa or an entertainment center and “Eat Pray Love” on a dining area. Replace it with bigger statement artwork or moody photography to add an element of mystery.