Decor trends come and go, but some items from Grandma’s house hold a special place in our hearts, while others are best left in the past.
Let’s explore 12 decor elements we hope never make a comeback and 12 that we secretly miss, blending wit, nostalgia, and a touch of sassy charm.
1. Never Come Back: Plastic Couch Covers
Plastic couch covers turned every seat into a sticky ride on a hot summer’s day, with squeaky cling as the soundtrack of childhood visits.
They kept upholstery pristine but transformed lounging into an endurance sport, teaching us all to sit very still. Comfort, optional; squeak, mandatory.
2. Secretly Miss: Floral Wallpaper
Bold floral wallpaper wrapped rooms in a garden party vibe, shouting joy and warmth, unapologetically inviting you in. It was a cozy blanket of nostalgia, hugging the walls with color and life.
There’s something to be said for such unabashed charm, especially in an era of minimalist beige.
3. Never Come Back: Carpet in Bathrooms
Who thought carpet in the bathroom was a brilliant idea? Imagine stepping out of the shower onto a sponge. While it may have added warmth underfoot, it also soaked up every spill and splash.
Not to mention, it was a mildew hazard waiting to happen. The bathroom is one place tiles should reign supreme.
4. Secretly Miss: Patterned Teacups & Fine China
Patterned teacups and fine china turned every sip into a royal affair. Their delicate designs and intricate patterns brought elegance to even the most mundane moments.
Each cup held stories of tea parties and whispered secrets across generations. At once fragile and enduring, they brought a touch of timeless grace to the table.
5. Never Come Back: Crochet Toilet Roll Dolls
Ah, the crochet toilet roll doll, guarding the spare roll with yarn and flair. These kitschy creations added a touch of bizarre creativity to the bathroom.
Yet, while charming in their own peculiar way, they epitomized over-the-top decor. Perhaps it’s time to let these yarn warriors retire with dignity.
6. Secretly Miss: Quilted Bedspreads
Quilted bedspreads, with their patchwork of history, draped bedrooms in warmth and character. Each stitch, a piece of comfort wrapped around you like a storybook hug.
Minimalist duvets rule today, but quilts carry tales of hands that crafted them, inviting dreams woven in fabric and love.
7. Never Come Back: Too Many Lace Doilies
Lace doilies—Grandma’s signature style statement—were everywhere you looked. From under lamps to over armchairs, these intricate webs seemed to breed overnight.
They added a touch of elegance but also collected dust with ease. It’s time to honor their legacy and let them rest in peace.
8. Secretly Miss: Glass Candy Dishes
Glass candy dishes were little treasure chests of joy, filled with sweet surprises that seemed to materialize on every visit.
Whether it was a crystal dish of butterscotch or peppermint, it offered a sugary embrace. Now, in an age of disposable packaging, there’s something sweetly nostalgic about their enduring presence.
9. Never Come Back: Wall-to-Wall Beige
Beige overload turned rooms into endless stretches of monotony, stripped of personality. Neutral tones are fine, but that beige-heavy era felt like stepping into a forgotten photograph.
Time to bring color and contrast back into the mix.
10. Secretly Miss: Fringed Lampshades
Fringed lampshades were the flappers of home decor, dancing with every breeze. They brought a sense of whimsy and glamour, casting shadows like playful whispers across walls.
Sleek may be trendy, but ruffles and folds carry quiet charisma. Their layered elegance whispers of comfort, tradition, and a dash of old-school grace.
11. Never Come Back: Ruffled Valances
Ruffled valances, the giants of window dressings, draped like waterfall curtains yearning to be noticed. While they aimed to add grandeur, they often overwhelmed with their voluminous presence.
It’s time for sleek and subtle to take the stage, leaving the days of fabric excess in the past.
12. Secretly Miss: Built-in Bookshelves
Built-in bookshelves were the literary soul of any room, capturing collections of knowledge and whimsy. They invited exploration, where books and curiosities mingled in harmony.
Screens scroll fast, but pages linger. Book-filled nooks speak to the joy of wandering through words, where every shelf holds a journey waiting to unfold.
13. Never Come Back: Avocado Green Appliances
Avocado green appliances made kitchens look like they were trying to blend in with a salad. While they were the height of chic in the ’70s, they now represent an era best remembered in photographs.
It’s time to let this dubious hue retire to the annals of decor history.
14. Secretly Miss: Wooden Hutches
There’s something tender about a wooden hutch, a guardian of treasures and heirlooms. These grand pieces held family histories behind glass doors, each shelf a stage.
Flat-pack may offer speed, but hutches offer soul. These sturdy storytellers ground a space, hinting at generations past and memories still in the making.
15. Never Come Back: Needlepoint Everywhere
Needlepoint was the Pinterest of its time, a craft explosion across cushions and wall art. While a testament to skill and patience, it often covered every visible surface, drowning rooms in thread and pattern.
Let’s appreciate the artistry without the oversaturation. A sprinkle of needlepoint, not a deluge, will do.
16. Secretly Miss: Vintage Pyrex
Vintage Pyrex dishes were the unsung heroes of every kitchen, their pastel hues brightening meals and memories. Sturdy yet delicate, they made cooking and serving an art form.
Stainless steel may reign now, but those vibrant vintage pieces prove that kitchens once had personality. Cooking felt playful—like every meal came with a wink.
17. Never Come Back: Mismatched Oversized Furniture Sets
Oversized furniture sets that didn’t quite match—Grandma’s idea of making sure everyone had a seat. While functional, they often turned rooms into obstacle courses.
Sleekness dominates today, yet those bulky relics echo a time when function came first. A little visual breathing room goes a long way—let’s trade clutter for calm.
18. Secretly Miss: Retro Rotary Phones
Retro rotary phones bring back the tactile thrill of dialing—a lost art now. Their satisfying clicks and the heft of the receiver added gravitas to every call.
A rotary phone brings back the era when talking meant slowing down. Conversations felt deliberate, filled with pauses and presence—not pings and previews.
19. Never Come Back: Faux Fruit Centerpieces
Faux fruit centerpieces were the immortal guardians of dining tables, eternally pristine yet utterly inedible.
While they added a splash of color, they also served as dust collectors extraordinaire. Let’s embrace the real deal—fresh and fragrant, their temporary beauty is a feast for both eyes and taste.
20. Secretly Miss: Hand-Embroidered Linens
Hand-embroidered linens served as more than table dressings—true labors of love. Each stitch offered a glimpse into patience and creativity, transforming meals into memorable moments. A crafted piece like this honors dedication and adds a layer of handmade elegance to the everyday.
21. Never Come Back: Shiny Brass Everything
Shiny brass everywhere was like a gilded takeover, transforming homes into reflective palaces. While they might have added a touch of glam, the upkeep was relentless.
Constant polishing was required to stave off tarnish. In today’s decor, moderation is key; a hint of brass is a nod, not a shout.
22. Secretly Miss: Mid-century Furniture
Mid-century furniture pieces were icons of style, with their clean lines and functional elegance. They brought modernity and sophistication with just the right touch of retro charm.
In a world saturated with trends, these timeless designs remind us that true style never fades, making every room a scene from a classic film.
23. Never Come Back: Porcelain Cat Figurine Armies
Porcelain cat figurine armies once ruled mantles and shelves, silently surveying their domain. Often meant as a tribute to feline love, the abundance easily crossed into overkill. Better to let one beloved piece shine than enlist an entire regiment.
24. Secretly Miss: Swinging Saloon Doors
Swinging saloon doors added a touch of Wild West whimsy to homes, a playful boundary between rooms. Once considered outdated, the soft swing of wooden gates carries charm. The motion invites playfulness and nostalgia, turning everyday passages into moments of cinematic flair.