Trends in home design shift so quickly it’s hard to keep up. I’ve lost count of how many must-have features are now on the chopping block.
What used to scream luxury might just make today’s buyers roll their eyes. More and more, people are ditching flashy extras in favor of things that actually make life easier, more efficient, and better for the planet.
If you’re curious about what buyers are turning away from, and what they’re loving instead, you’re not alone.
1. Formal Dining Rooms
Remember when every “proper” home needed a separate dining room used twice a year? Families today prefer spaces that work harder than that dusty china cabinet.
Multi-functional eating areas connected to the kitchen make more sense for how we actually live. Why waste square footage on a room that sits empty while you balance dinner plates on your lap in front of the TV?
2. Instead: Multipurpose Eating Spaces
Flexible dining areas that flow into kitchens have become the heart of modern homes. These spaces adapt to daily meals, homework sessions, work-from-home needs, and still handle holiday gatherings with ease.
Large kitchen islands with seating create casual eating spots while maintaining conversation with the cook. Some homeowners install banquette seating with storage underneath – genius for small spaces!
3. Wall-To-Wall Carpeting
Once upon a time, plush wall-to-wall carpeting signaled luxury. Now it signals “hello, dust mites and allergens!” Modern buyers cringe at the thought of what lurks beneath those fibers, especially in previous owners’ bedrooms.
Carpet stains tell stories nobody wants to hear. And replacing it isn’t just expensive – it creates mountains of waste. No wonder today’s homebuyers run (not walk) away from homes covered in carpet.
4. Instead: Hardwood And LVP Flooring
Hardwood floors have timeless appeal, but luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is stealing the spotlight. Modern LVP looks amazingly like real wood while standing up to pets, kids, and spills.
Unlike carpet, these options can be cleaned thoroughly. Area rugs provide warmth and style without trapping allergens permanently. If you spill red wine on LVP, you’ll laugh instead of cry – just wipe and move on with your life!
5. Jetted Tubs
Those massive jetted tubs from the 90s are the dinosaurs of bathroom fixtures. Homeowners discovered they rarely used these water-guzzling monsters that take forever to fill.
Let’s not even talk about the maintenance nightmares – cleaning the jets or discovering the black gunk that grows inside them. Plus, the noise!
Nothing breaks relaxation like a motor that sounds like a small airplane taking off in your bathroom.
6. Instead: Luxurious Walk-In Showers
Spacious walk-in showers have become the bathroom feature everyone wants. Curbless designs create a seamless look while improving accessibility for all ages.
Multiple shower heads, rainfall fixtures, and built-in benches transform daily routines into spa-like experiences.
The best part? They’re easier to clean than those jetted tubs ever were. Some homeowners add small soaking tubs if space allows, but the shower reigns supreme.
7. Tuscan Kitchen Themes
Those faux-finished walls, ornate scrollwork, and heavy Mediterranean vibes have officially expired. The once-popular Tuscan kitchen theme now reads as dark, dated, and desperately in need of a refresh.
Terracotta tiles and grape motifs everywhere? No thanks! Even the words “Tuscan kitchen” make today’s buyers mentally calculate renovation costs.
If your kitchen has more scrollwork than a Renaissance painting, it’s time for an update.
8. Instead: Clean Modern Kitchens
Today’s dream kitchens feature clean lines, light colors, and minimal ornamentation. White or light wood cabinets paired with simple hardware create timeless appeal that won’t look dated in five years.
Subtle personal touches come through accessories that can be easily changed. Smart storage solutions hide appliances and keep countertops clutter-free.
The modern kitchen feels airy and bright – the opposite of those cave-like Tuscan kitchens of yesteryear.
9. Media Rooms With Built-In Electronics
Remember those dedicated media rooms with built-in equipment and stadium seating? They’re quickly becoming white elephants in modern homes.
Technology changes too rapidly for permanent installations. That expensive projector system from 2010 is now hopelessly outdated, and those custom cabinets designed for DVD collections seem pointless in the streaming era.
Not to mention those cup holders built into massive chairs nobody wants anymore!
10. Instead: Flexible Entertainment Spaces
Versatile living areas that accommodate various activities have replaced single-purpose media rooms. Portable technology like quality soundbars and streaming devices eliminate the need for permanent installations.
Comfortable, movable seating can be rearranged for movie night or conversation. The best entertainment spaces serve multiple functions – gaming, socializing, relaxing – without being locked into yesterday’s technology.
When the next tech revolution happens, you won’t need to tear out built-ins!
11. Whirlpool Appliances
Shiny stainless steel Whirlpool appliances once dominated kitchen renovations across America. While not terrible products, they’ve become the vanilla ice cream of kitchen appliances – basic, expected, and nothing to get excited about.
Today’s buyers are looking beyond the big box store standards. They want appliances with personality, better performance, and smarter features.
Whirlpool’s ubiquity has made them the symbol of “we didn’t really think about our appliance choices.”
12. Instead: Statement Appliances With Smart Features
Colorful, professional-grade, or uniquely designed appliances now serve as kitchen focal points. Brands like Café offer customizable hardware finishes to match any design scheme.
Smart features that connect to phones provide convenience modern buyers crave. Energy efficiency ratings have become major selling points too.
Some homeowners even mix appliance brands to get exactly what they want – a professional range paired with a tech-forward refrigerator creates a kitchen that means business.
13. Bathroom Wallpaper Borders
Those skinny wallpaper strips featuring seashells, flowers, or – worst of all – country geese wearing bonnets have finally flown south for good.
Nothing screams “last renovated in 1992” like a bathroom wallpaper border. Often installed along with matching shower curtains and tissue box covers, these dated decorative elements make buyers mentally add “bathroom renovation” to their post-purchase budget.
Peeling corners and water damage only add to their charm (not).
14. Instead: Full Wall Treatments
Modern bathrooms feature full wall treatments that make bold statements. Dramatic wallpaper covering entire walls (with modern moisture-resistant formulations) has made a huge comeback.
Tile extending to the ceiling in showers creates a custom, high-end look. Accent walls with textured tile, shiplap, or even reclaimed wood add character without looking dated.
The key difference from those old borders? These treatments commit fully to a design direction rather than timidly dipping a toe in.
15. Overlarge Master Suites
Those cavernous primary bedrooms that could double as ballrooms are falling out of favor. Buyers question the practicality of heating and cooling bedroom spaces larger than some apartments.
Massive sitting areas that nobody sits in and excessive floor space that collects exercise equipment and laundry piles represent wasted square footage.
Young homebuyers would rather put those extra square feet toward functional spaces they’ll actually use every day.
16. Instead: Rightsized Bedrooms With Better Closets
Sensibly sized primary bedrooms paired with amazing closet systems offer the perfect balance. Today’s homeowners prefer quality over quantity when it comes to bedroom space.
Custom closet systems with thoughtful organization eliminate the need for dressers, keeping bedrooms uncluttered.
The saved square footage gets reallocated to shared family spaces or home offices. Smart storage solutions and built-ins maximize functionality without requiring mansion-sized rooms.
17. Tray Ceilings With Rope Lighting
Those stepped-up ceiling details with hidden rope lighting once symbolized luxury. Now they’re just dust collectors that scream “builder-grade attempt at fancy.”
The yellowish glow from aging rope lights creates an ambiance best described as “early 2000s tract home special.” Cleaning these recessed areas requires gymnastics-level skills and extra-long dusting tools.
Plus, changing those lights when they inevitably burn out is a nightmare even professional electricians dread.
18. Instead: Statement Ceiling Fixtures
Dramatic ceiling fixtures have become the jewelry of modern rooms. Architectural lighting fixtures double as art pieces while providing better illumination than those old rope lights ever did.
Simple, clean ceilings with interesting fixtures draw the eye upward without creating dust-catching recesses. Smart lighting systems allow homeowners to adjust brightness and color temperature throughout the day.
Some even incorporate ceiling fans with sleek, contemporary designs that actually move air efficiently.
19. Vessel Sinks
Those bowl-like sinks that sit on top of bathroom counters are rapidly losing their appeal. While visually interesting, vessel sinks proved impractical in daily use.
Water splashes everywhere. The height makes them awkward for children and shorter adults. The connection point where sink meets counter collects grime nobody can reach.
And let’s not forget how easily items slide off the narrow rim and into the sink – or worse, onto the floor!
20. Instead: Undermount Or Integrated Sinks
Sleek undermount sinks create clean lines and superior functionality in modern bathrooms. With no rim to collect grime, countertop cleanup becomes a breeze – just sweep water and debris directly into the sink.
Integrated sinks where the basin and counter form one seamless piece represent the ultimate in both aesthetics and practicality. These designs work for users of all heights and ages.
No wonder vessel sinks are being removed during renovations faster than you can say “where did my toothbrush go?”