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Want to keep your home looking fresh and modern? Design trends change quickly. Knowing what’s in and what’s out can help you make smart choices when decorating or renovating. Here are some interior design trends that might make your home look outdated in 2025, and how to update them.
Accent Walls
What’s Out: Accent walls were popular, but now they can make a space look like it’s from 2020.
What’s In: Color drenching is the new trend. This means painting all the walls, baseboards, doors, window trim, and even the ceiling the same color. It works with paint, wall molding, and wallpaper.
How to Update: If you have an accent wall, paint the rest of the room the same color. This will give your space a fresh, modern look.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees
What’s Out: Fiddle leaf fig trees were everywhere, but now they’re overdone.
What’s In: Other types of greenery.
How to Update: If you want to add plants to your home, skip the fiddle leaf fig. Choose something else to keep your space current.
Sliding Barn Doors
What’s Out: Sliding barn doors, especially with farmhouse-style hardware, are becoming outdated.
What’s In: Hidden hardware sliding barn doors and pocket doors.
How to Update: If you need a space-saving door, consider a pocket door. Or, update your sliding barn door with hidden hardware for a sleeker, more modern look.
Glass Top Dining Tables
What’s Out: Glass top dining tables can make a dining room look dated. They are hard to keep clean because of scratches and fingerprints.
What’s In: Solid dining tables.
How to Update: Choose a solid dining table for a more classic, timeless look.
High Gloss Finishes
What’s Out: High gloss finishes on floors and countertops. These finishes can look manufactured and unnatural.
What’s In: Matte finishes. For stone countertops, go for a honed finish. For floors, choose a matte finish.
How to Update: If you have high gloss floors, use rugs to tone down the shine. If you’re able to, refinish your floors with a matte top coat.
Boho Style
What’s Out: Going all-out with boho style, including macrame hangings and colorful pinks and greens, can look dated.
What’s In: Mixing boho elements with classic pieces.
How to Update: Use colors and rattan furniture from the boho style in smaller amounts. Combine them with traditional furniture for a relaxed, coastal feel.
White Subway Tile with Dark Grout
What’s Out: White subway tile with dark grout. The high contrast looks dated.
What’s In: Subway tile with low-contrast grout.
How to Update: When installing subway tile, use grout that is a similar color to the tile. This will give you a smoother, more modern look.
Double Height Countertops
What’s Out: Double height countertops in kitchens. This includes double height islands or peninsulas.
What’s In: Single-level countertops.
How to Update: If you have a double height countertop, remove the top height. Go for a single-level countertop to make your kitchen look more open and up-to-date. Use counter height stools instead of bar height stools.
Bed in a Bag
What’s Out: Using a bed in a bag without adding other items.
What’s In: Layering different materials, patterns, and colors on your bed.
How to Update: Add individual pieces to your bedding to create a collected look. If you have a bed in a bag, use the pieces as extra layers with your existing bedding. Mix the pillow shams with other throw pillows.
Stark White and Black Interiors
What’s Out: Interiors that are only white and black. These can look cold and too simple.
What’s In: Adding warmth, pattern, and layers.
How to Update: Add wood accents, lamps, warm throw pillows, and rugs to a white and black interior. You can also paint the walls a different color.
Stay Up-to-Date!
Knowing what design trends to avoid can help you make smart choices for your home. Whether you’re renovating or just redecorating, keeping your finger on the pulse of design will ensure your home is modern and inviting.
Ready to refresh your space? Start by making small changes. You don’t have to do everything at once. Even a few updates can make a big difference. Use these ideas to make your home a place you love for years to come!