Remember when shiplap walls and barn doors were the height of home chic? Yeah, me too. And I may or may not have proudly installed both.
But like that trendy haircut I immediately regretted, some design choices just don’t age well. The styles that screamed luxury in 2020 now whisper what were we thinking?
From oversized clocks that doubled as satellite dishes to all-gray everything, it’s wild how fast trends turn. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit once high-end home trends that now feel more 2020 than timeless. Spoiler: we all fell for at least one.
1. Shiplap Walls
Once inspired by rustic barns and country homes, the charm of shiplap walls seems to have sailed away. They once evoked nostalgia for simpler times and cozy cabins, wrapped in the warmth of wooden panels.
Today, the look can feel a bit too nautical or even overly themed. Some say it’s similar to wearing last season’s fashion on your walls.
While still adored by some, it often competes with more contemporary designs that favor minimalism.
2. Gray Everything
Grays once cloaked our spaces in neutrality, offering an understated backdrop to accent pieces and bold artwork.
But, as some have pointed out, an all-gray aesthetic can feel as drab as a cloudy day without sunlight. The monochromatic scheme, lacking diversity, sometimes leaves rooms feeling devoid of personality.
These days, richer hues and fancy bursts of color are taking center stage, bringing life where gray once prevailed.
3. Barn Doors
Sliding barn doors rolled onto the scene with bold farmhouse charisma. They provided a rustic touch which charmed many homeowners.
However, like an overplayed song, they began to lose their charm. Today’s design aficionados might view them as cumbersome or out of tune with the current efficient styles.
While barn doors still have their fans, they now compete with pocket doors and other unobtrusive alternatives.
4. Industrial Lighting Fixtures
With exposed bulbs and rugged metal, industrial lighting fixtures brought the urban loft look straight into suburban homes.
They were raw and edgy, like a splash of rebellion in a polished space. Yet, the heavy metallic feel can sometimes clash with softer, more organic home environments.
As design trends shift towards comfort and warmth, these fixtures may find themselves dimmed by the glow of softer, more versatile lighting options.
5. Open Shelving in Kitchens
Open shelving in kitchens once offered a breath of fresh air, displaying curated collections of dishware. It was the art gallery of the culinary world, showcasing tidy stacks and colorful ceramics.
Fast-forward to today, and the open shelf can feel like an invitation for clutter. With practicality taking precedence, enclosed cabinets are back in vogue, keeping the chaos concealed and the kitchen pristine.
6. Chevron Patterns
Chevron patterns zigzagged into homes with energetic flair, adorning everything from floors to fabrics. They were bold and dynamic, much like a visual rollercoaster.
But, as trends evolve, chevron can seem a bit too dizzying or busy for modern tastes. Simpler geometric patterns and minimalistic designs have since emerged, favoring tranquility over chaos.
7. Faux Distressed Wood
Faux distressed wood was the great pretender of design, giving new pieces the allure of time-worn charm. It brought a sense of history to the present, though without the weight of genuine age.
The faux look can sometimes feel too contrived, like an actor playing an unconvincing role. As authenticity becomes prized, genuine materials and finishes are making a comeback, leaving faux finishes behind.
8. Word Art Decor
Words on walls spoke volumes, turning spaces into motivational canvases. What started as a trendy way to express personal mantras began to feel more like a cliché greeting card.
As phrases like “Live, Laugh, Love” became omnipresent, their novelty wore thin. Today, more subtle or abstract artwork takes precedence, allowing spaces to speak through silence and understatement.
9. Matte Black Fixtures
Matte black fixtures were the little black dress of interior decor, adding a touch of chic to kitchens and bathrooms. They were bold without being brash, offering a striking contrast to lighter surroundings.
Yet, as shiny metals and warmer tones make a resurgence, matte black might be seen as a sombre choice, overshadowed by its brighter counterparts.
10. Farmhouse Sinks
Farmhouse sinks, with their generous basins and vintage appeal, became the heart of rustic kitchens. They were practical and charming, evoking simpler times spent washing dishes by hand.
As modern and integrated kitchen designs gain traction, the farmhouse sink might feel a bit too bulky or quaint for contemporary tastes. Hidden appliances and streamlined surfaces are now taking the spotlight.
11. All-White Interiors
White spaces once promised purity and expansiveness, offering a canvas for any design dreams. But, without contrast, the all-white interior can feel as stark as a blank page.
Lacking warmth and depth, it sometimes leaves rooms appearing more clinical than cozy. Today, homeowners are infusing spaces with colors and textures, bringing character where once there was only white.
12. Sliding Barn Shower Doors
Sliding barn shower doors galloped into bathrooms, bringing with them a rustic twist. They were unique and unexpected, turning showers into design statements.
However, like a one-trick pony, their novelty has started to wear off. With modern bathrooms leaning towards minimalism, these doors can appear more cumbersome than chic, making way for frameless glass and streamlined styles.
13. Rose Gold Accents
Rose gold accents blushed their way into homes, offering a soft metallic glow. They were the darling of decor, sprinkling a touch of glamour across spaces.
Yet, like a fleeting crush, the allure of rose gold can fade, overshadowed by more classic metal finishes. As tastes evolve, timeless metals like brass and silver are making a grand return, pushing rose gold to the sidelines.
14. Edison Bulbs
Edison bulbs illuminated spaces with a nostalgic glow that harked back to the days of Thomas Edison himself.
They were warm and inviting, lending a vintage charm to modern settings. But as energy efficiency and innovation take precedence, the filament bulb might seem more about style than substance.
LEDs and smart lighting systems are now leading the charge, leaving Edison in the shadows.
15. Floating Shelves Everywhere
Floating shelves seemed to defy gravity, offering a cool way to display books and treasures. They were versatile and modern, making walls functional and stylish.
Yet, as with any trend, oversaturation can lead to fatigue. The overly minimalist look can sometimes feel bare or sterile, prompting a return to more varied and personalized shelving solutions.
16. Oversized Clocks
There was a time when giant clocks ruled the decor world. They were big, bold, and impossible to ignore.
Meant to blend vintage charm with practicality, they usually just ended up being the only thing people commented on. Fast forward to today, and the trend has quietly ticked away.
With everyone glued to their phones for the time, oversized clocks feel more like oversized wall drama. Smaller designs now steal the spotlight, and honestly, the walls seem a little less shouty because of it.