Home decorating trends come and go. What feels fresh one year can look dated just a few years later. Changes in lifestyle, technology, sustainability, and personal taste all influence what people want in their homes. While today’s interiors lean toward natural materials, warm colors, and plenty of greenery, many once-popular decorating ideas have quietly fallen out of favor.
There’s nothing wrong with borrowing inspiration from current styles, but filling your home with one trend can leave it feeling stuck in a particular decade. Here are ten decorating trends that haven’t stood the test of time.
Overdoing Shabby Chic
Shabby chic had a long run from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Popularized by designer Rachel Ashwell, the style celebrated painted vintage furniture, distressed finishes, floral fabrics, lace, and soft pastel colors. It created homes that felt romantic and lived-in.
The problem came when every piece of furniture looked intentionally worn and every room was filled with ruffles, painted wood, and antique-inspired accessories. Instead of feeling cozy, the look often became cluttered. Today, many homeowners still enjoy mixing vintage pieces with modern furnishings, but they usually keep the balance much simpler.
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Chevron Everywhere
Chevron patterns were impossible to avoid during the 2010s. The bold zigzag design appeared on rugs, curtains, bedding, wallpaper, throw pillows, storage bins, and even kitchen accessories.
One or two chevron accents could add energy to a room. Covering every surface with the same pattern quickly became overwhelming. What once looked modern now often feels tied to a very specific decorating era.
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Too Much Word Art
Decorating with meaningful quotes started as a personal way to make a house feel like home. Before long, phrases such as “Live, Laugh, Love,” “Gather,” and “Family” covered walls, shelves, pillows, and kitchen signs.
A single piece with personal meaning can still work well. Filling every room with decorative words often makes a space feel more like a gift shop than a home.
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Plastic Furniture Covers
For many families, plastic covers were a practical way to protect expensive sofas and chairs from spills, pets, and everyday wear. They certainly kept furniture looking new.
The downside was obvious. Sitting on plastic wasn’t comfortable, especially during warm weather, and the constant crinkling sound didn’t help. Today, washable fabrics and stain-resistant upholstery have made plastic furniture covers largely unnecessary.
Taxidermy Displays
Mounted animal heads and preserved hides were once common in traditional homes, hunting lodges, and rustic cabins. During the Victorian era, taxidermy was also viewed as a decorative art form.
Public attitudes have changed over time, and many homeowners now prefer artwork, wildlife photography, or realistic faux animal pieces instead. These choices celebrate nature without displaying preserved animals indoors.
Beaded Curtains
Beaded curtains became popular during the 1960s and 1970s, especially in bohemian-inspired homes. They offered a casual way to separate rooms while allowing light and air to pass through.
Today, they often feel more nostalgic than stylish. They can also collect dust, create noise, and provide very little privacy, making them less practical than modern room dividers.
Carpeted Bathrooms
Wall-to-wall carpet in bathrooms gained popularity during the 1970s and remained common through much of the 1980s. At the time, many people liked the warmth and softness underfoot.
Moisture eventually proved to be its biggest drawback. Carpet absorbs water, traps humidity, and can become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors. Waterproof flooring materials offer a much cleaner and longer-lasting option.
Inflatable Furniture
Inflatable chairs and sofas became a fun decorating trend during the 1990s, especially in teenagers’ bedrooms and college dorms. Their clear plastic designs gave rooms a playful, futuristic look.
They rarely held up well over time. Punctures, slow leaks, and uncomfortable seating made them more of a novelty than dependable furniture. Today, they tend to feel more like a reminder of the ’90s than a practical decorating choice.
Going Overboard With Industrial Style
Industrial interiors grew in popularity as old warehouses and factories were converted into apartments. Exposed brick, concrete floors, steel beams, and visible pipes gave homes a distinctive urban feel.
The style still has plenty of fans, but too much exposed metal, unfinished wood, and concrete can make a room feel cold rather than welcoming. Mixing industrial features with softer fabrics, warm lighting, and natural wood creates a space that’s much easier to live in.
Filling Every Corner With Faux Plants
Artificial plants have come a long way, and many look surprisingly realistic. They’re especially useful in rooms with little natural light or for people who struggle to keep houseplants alive.
Problems start when they’re used everywhere. A room packed with plastic greenery can feel artificial instead of inviting. Mixing a few high-quality faux plants with real ones usually creates a fresher, more natural look while keeping maintenance manageable.
