Some interior design trends have more lives than a cat with a golden horseshoe. While fashion and technology evolve rapidly, certain home styles stick around through decades of changing tastes.
From grandma’s favorite patterns to minimalist must-haves, these stubborn design elements prove that good (or at least familiar) ideas never truly fade away.
1. Shiplap Everywhere
Joanna Gaines unleashed this rustic wood paneling phenomenon, and America hasn’t recovered since. Farmhouse fanatics continue slapping horizontal planks on every vertical surface imaginable.
Beyond kitchens and living rooms, shiplap now conquers bathrooms, bedrooms, and even ceilings. The weathered white boards deliver instant character—though often at the expense of originality.
2. Subway Tile Backsplash
Like that reliable friend who never lets you down, subway tile persists through every kitchen revolution. The rectangular ceramic soldiers march across backsplashes nationwide, refusing retirement.
Variations emerge—herringbone patterns, colored grout, elongated dimensions—but the classic white 3×6 formation remains kitchen royalty. Clean, timeless, and utterly predictable, subway tile offers the comfort of design certainty.
3. Millennial Pink
Remember 2016? When a dusty salmon-blush color conquered everything from iPhone cases to velvet sofas? That rosy revolution never fully retreated.
Renamed countless times (blush, rose quartz, dusty pink), this not-quite-pink, not-quite-beige hue maintains its grip on accent walls, throw pillows, and bathroom accessories. Neither bold nor neutral, millennial pink occupies that perfect middle ground—inoffensive yet somehow still making a statement.
4. Barn Doors on Rails
Sliding barn doors thundered into urban apartments and suburban homes alike, bringing rural charm to spaces never touched by hay. The hardware-on-display trend promised space-saving solutions while delivering Instagram-worthy rustic vibes.
Despite offering zero sound insulation and questionable privacy, these agricultural portals continue rolling across doorways nationwide. Painted, stained, or authentically weathered—barn doors refuse to roll back to the countryside.
5. Edison Bulbs
Nothing says “I appreciate history but in a carefully curated way” like exposed filament light bulbs. These energy-guzzling luminaries cast their amber glow across restaurants first, then infiltrated residential spaces with unstoppable vintage appeal.
Dangling naked from cords, clustered in industrial fixtures, or imprisoned in glass pendants, Edison bulbs maintain their warm grip on lighting design. Their soft, flattering light forgives many design sins—perhaps explaining their enduring popularity.
6. Live Edge Everything
Raw, unfinished wooden edges bring nature indoors—along with premium price tags. What began as statement dining tables expanded into shelving, headboards, mantels, and bathroom counters.
The organic silhouettes stand defiant against manufactured perfection, celebrating knots, cracks, and irregular contours. Despite requiring special care and collecting dust in those natural crevices, live edge wood continues seducing homeowners seeking connection with natural materials.
7. Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees
Dramatic, temperamental, and impossibly photogenic—the fiddle leaf fig became interior design’s favorite diva plant. Their large, glossy leaves create instant architectural impact while demanding precise care routines.
Despite killing countless specimens, homeowners continue adopting these finicky flora. Artificial versions now populate homes nationwide, offering the sculptural silhouette without the heartbreak. Real or fake, the fiddle leaf’s distinctive profile remains interior design shorthand for “stylish home.”
8. Gallery Walls
Curated chaos reigns eternal as walls nationwide disappear beneath carefully arranged collections of frames. The gallery wall survived minimalism’s assault, emerging stronger with each passing Pinterest season.
From family photos to vintage illustrations and typography posters, these frame collages broadcast personality while filling awkward wall spaces. The formula evolves—symmetric grids, eclectic arrangements, matching frames—but the concept persists as the ultimate personalization tool.
9. Chevron Patterns
Zigzagging through interior design since 2010, chevron refuses retirement with almost admirable stubbornness. The sharp V-shaped pattern conquered rugs, pillows, curtains, and even flooring with mathematical precision.
While its cousin herringbone enjoys architectural respectability, chevron maintains a distinctly mid-2010s vibe. Yet somehow, those angular stripes continue marching across nurseries, beach houses, and casual spaces nationwide—proof that geometric patterns possess remarkable staying power.
10. All-White Kitchens
Bright, clean, and utterly unimaginative—the all-white kitchen maintains its iron grip on American homes. Marble countertops, white cabinets, and pale backsplashes create spaces that photograph beautifully while hiding nothing.
Coffee splatters, sauce explosions, and everyday grime become immediately visible foes in these laboratory-like cooking spaces. Yet homeowners continue embracing the pristine palette, perhaps hoping their culinary habits will rise to meet their antiseptic surroundings.
11. Mason Jar Everything
From humble canning vessel to design phenomenon, mason jars conquered everything from lighting fixtures to bathroom storage. Their rustic glass forms hold flowers, pencils, makeup brushes, and even cocktails with folksy charm.
Wedding celebrations particularly fell victim to mason jar mania, with blue glass vessels illuminating countless reception tables. Despite reaching peak saturation years ago, these humble containers still populate homes as affordable alternatives to purpose-built storage solutions.
12. Word Art Typography
“Live Laugh Love” may be the punchline, but typography art remains stubbornly embedded in American homes. From farmhouse-style signs commanding visitors to “Gather” to cursive neon demanding we “Stay Awhile,” words-as-decor refuse to go silent.
The messages evolve with the zeitgeist—motivational phrases, family names, location coordinates—while maintaining their essential function: filling wall space while broadcasting values. Mockable yet marketable, word art continues telling us how to feel about our own homes.
13. Accent Walls
Why paint four walls when one will do? The accent wall endures as budget-friendly drama for commitment-phobes everywhere. Bold color splashes, wallpaper statements, or textured treatments transform rooms without overwhelming them.
Design experts repeatedly declare the trend dead, yet homeowners continue selecting single walls for special treatment. Perhaps its persistence stems from practicality—accent walls offer maximum impact with minimal effort, allowing decorative experimentation without full-room dedication.
14. Brass Everything
After decades banished to thrift stores, brass staged a spectacular comeback that refuses to end. The warm metallic finish now adorns lighting fixtures, hardware, faucets, and decorative objects with gleaming confidence.
Unlike its 1980s predecessor, modern brass presents as unlacquered, matte, or antiqued—sophisticated rather than showy. Paired with navy, emerald, or blush, brass hardware elevates ordinary furniture while warming up cool-toned spaces with its golden glow.
15. Moroccan-Inspired Rugs
Geometric patterns in muted colors continue cushioning feet nationwide. These North African-inspired floor coverings bring instant global credibility to otherwise ordinary rooms with their diamond motifs and fringed edges.
The neutral palette ensures compatibility with changing decor schemes, while the distinctive patterns add interest without overwhelming. Machine-made versions have democratized the look, allowing budget-conscious decorators to capture Marrakech vibes without authentic Berber price tags.
16. Faux Fur Throws
Nothing says “luxurious comfort” like synthetic animal hair draped across furniture. Faux fur throws maintain their grip on beds and sofas nationwide, promising cozy glamour without ethical concerns.
From polar bear white to gray wolf and brown mink, these plush accessories add textural contrast to sleek modern furniture. Despite collecting dust and static electricity with remarkable efficiency, faux fur continues its reign as the ultimate “touch me” accent.
17. Open Shelving
Cabinets hide disorganization; open shelving celebrates curatorial skills. The removal of upper kitchen cabinet doors (or cabinets entirely) continues tempting homeowners who believe their dishware deserves display status.
Reality quickly reveals open shelving’s dark side: dust collection, display pressure, and visual clutter. Yet the airy, spacious feeling and Instagram-ready styling opportunities keep converts committed to their exposed storage lifestyle—even as they secretly rinse dishes before use.
18. Succulents Everywhere
Low-maintenance greenery for serial plant killers, succulents infiltrated homes as the training wheels of plant parenthood. Their geometric forms and muted blue-green palette complement modern interiors while requiring minimal attention.
From tiny desk companions to statement living walls, these water-storing wonders adapt to various design schemes. Despite being wildly overexposed, succulents maintain popularity by actually surviving in most homes—a rare quality in houseplants.