Home design trends come and go, but some DIY projects have overstayed their welcome.
Professional designers are practically begging homeowners to move on from certain tired trends that dominated the 2010s and early 2020s. If you’re planning a home refresh in 2025, here’s what the experts hope you’ll leave behind.
1. All-gray everything
Remember when gray conquered every surface from walls to floors to furniture? While neutrals have their place, monotonous gray schemes drain spaces of personality and warmth.
Adding color doesn’t mean going wild with rainbow hues. Simply incorporating warm wood tones, textured fabrics, or even a single accent wall can breathe life into formerly flat, lifeless rooms.
2. DIY shiplap overload
Blame it on farmhouse fever! Slapping shiplap on every vertical surface reached peak saturation years ago, yet homeowners continue installing these horizontal wooden boards with reckless abandon.
What started as a charming accent wall solution has morphed into visual noise. Consider instead a single statement wall or exploring other textural elements like grasscloth wallpaper for similar depth without the dated look.
3. Painted-over brick fireplaces
White-washing perfectly good brick might seem like a quick refresh, but designers cringe at this nearly irreversible decision. Natural brick brings warmth, texture, and timeless character that paint simply can’t replicate.
Instead of reaching for the primer, consider cleaning or German schmearing your existing brick. For truly dated brick, limewash offers a softer alternative that preserves texture while updating the color.
4. Faux open shelving in kitchens
Removing cabinet doors doesn’t magically create Pinterest-worthy open shelving. Without proper planning, this half-measure creates visual clutter and dust-collecting nightmares.
Real open shelving requires curation and organization. If you love the open concept, invest in properly installed floating shelves with appropriate depth and support, displaying only your most attractive everyday items.
5. Overuse of peel-and-stick wallpaper
Temporary solutions often lead to permanent eyesores. Peel-and-stick wallpaper applied haphazardly creates bubbled, peeling surfaces that scream “rental hack” rather than thoughtful design.
When using removable wallpaper, preparation is everything. Clean walls thoroughly, apply with patience, and resist covering entire rooms. A single accent wall or backing bookshelves provides impact without overwhelming your space.
6. Wall decals posing as art
Live Laugh Love, anyone? Mass-produced vinyl phrases and simplistic decals have become the hallmark of impersonal spaces lacking authentic character.
Investing in actual art doesn’t require a gallery budget. Framed personal photos, vintage prints, or even your child’s artwork brings genuine personality to your walls. If text speaks to you, consider hand-lettered pieces from local artists instead.
7. Sliding barn doors in modern homes
Unless you actually live in a converted barn, that massive wooden door sliding on exposed hardware probably looks out of place. Privacy issues aside, barn doors create an awkward style clash in contemporary homes.
For space-saving alternatives, consider pocket doors that disappear into walls or modern sliding doors with clean lines. If you crave rustic elements, incorporate them through smaller accessories instead.
8. Matching every piece of furniture
Walking into rooms where everything matches perfectly feels like stepping into a furniture showroom display – impersonal and lacking evolution. Matchy-matchy furniture sets eliminate the opportunity for character development in your space.
Cultivate a collected look by mixing complementary pieces from different periods and styles. Even simple changes like different end tables or unique accent chairs can transform a cookie-cutter room into something special.
9. Industrial lighting in every room
Edison bulbs and exposed pipe fixtures had their moment, but plastering them throughout every room of your home creates a confused identity. Lighting should enhance your space’s function and style, not dominate it.
Consider each room’s purpose when selecting fixtures. Soft, diffused lighting works better in bedrooms, while statement pieces belong in dining areas. Mix lighting styles thoughtfully rather than defaulting to industrial everywhere.
10. Fake plants used excessively
Dusty silk monsteras fooling absolutely no one have become the calling card of uninspired spaces. While quality faux plants have their place, rooms stuffed with obviously artificial greenery lack life and freshness.
Start with just one or two real, low-maintenance plants like pothos or snake plants. For challenging spaces, invest in high-quality faux options and keep them clean. Balance is key – not every corner needs a plant!
11. Overly themed rooms (like “coastal everything”)
Going overboard with themes transforms homes into caricatures rather than comfortable living spaces. Walking into a room with seashells, rope, anchors, and blue stripes everywhere feels like a vacation rental, not a personal home.
Subtle nods to favorite themes work better than all-out commitment. Incorporate inspiration through color palettes and one or two specific elements rather than themed everything from shower curtains to throw pillows.
12. Giant wall clocks as focal points
Oversized statement clocks – especially those with exposed gears or rustic farmhouse styling – have ticked past their prime as wall focal points. Often disproportionate to the spaces they occupy, they command attention without adding substance.
Scale matters in wall decor. Consider art that speaks to your interests or a gallery wall of meaningful photos instead. If you love timekeeping elements, vintage clock collections displayed thoughtfully offer more character than one massive timepiece.
13. Epoxy countertops trying to mimic stone
DIY epoxy pours mimicking marble or granite rarely achieve the sophisticated look homeowners hope for. Bubbles, uneven coloring, and that unmistakable plastic sheen give away the budget-friendly secret immediately.
Quality countertops are worth the investment. If natural stone exceeds your budget, consider quartz composites or butcher block. Even laminate has evolved with impressively realistic patterns that outperform amateur epoxy attempts.
14. Over-cluttering with decor “vignettes”
Styled vignettes on every horizontal surface create visual noise that overwhelms rather than enhances your space. When every table, shelf, and counter becomes a carefully arranged still life, your home loses functionality and breathing room.
Embrace negative space! Select just a few key areas for thoughtful styling. Keep most surfaces relatively clear, allowing special pieces to stand out and your rooms to feel more spacious and intentional.
15. Turning every corner into a home office
Post-pandemic panic led to desks crammed into bedrooms, dining rooms, and even hallway nooks, creating spaces that never fully function as either offices or their intended purposes.
Work-from-home needs are valid, but integration matters. Consider furniture that transitions – secretary desks that close, dining tables with hidden storage, or proper room dividers. Your productivity and home atmosphere both deserve thoughtful boundaries.