Welcome to a whimsical tour of 25 home trends that experts predict will not just age your house, but might also trim its value by 2025. As style chameleons, homes need to keep up with the times.
While some trends, like vintage vinyl, have made nostalgic comebacks, others should be peacefully retired.
Whether it’s the shag carpets or popcorn ceilings, let’s steer clear of these culprits and keep your property’s value from fizzling. Join us as we explore the relics of design past.
1. Shag Carpets
Once the epitome of fashion, shag carpets now trip up modern aesthetics. These furry floors trap dust and allergens, becoming a homeowner’s nightmare. Imagine trying to clean a pet’s accidental mess from these thick fibers!
Today’s buyers favor sleek hardwood or polished concrete. Even vacuum cleaners throw in the towel when faced with shag’s dense loops. Swap them out for something easier to maintain.
Sticking to outdated trends like these can make your home feel stuck in the past, and not in the charming way.
2. Formal Dining Rooms
The formal dining room, once a staple of traditional homes, is seeing a decline in its perceived value. Many families now prefer casual dining areas that integrate with kitchen spaces, making daily meals more convenient and social. As lifestyles become busier, the need for separate dining rooms, used only on special occasions, is dwindling.
Transforming a formal dining room into a more versatile space, such as a home office or playroom, can enhance a property’s functional appeal. Buyers are increasingly looking for adaptable spaces that cater to their dynamic needs, rather than formal settings that gather dust.
3. Brass Fixtures
Brass fixtures scream ‘yesterday!’ in the language of home decor. Once a symbol of opulence, they now clash with contemporary styles.
Switching to brushed nickel or matte black can instantly elevate a space. Brass can tarnish quickly, leaving your bathroom looking less than luxurious.
Updating these fixtures is a small change with a big impact, keeping your home from looking like a flashback episode.
4. Wood Paneling
Wood paneling wrapped houses in a cozy, cabin-like feel, but now it wraps your home’s value. Dark walls can make a space feel smaller and dated.
Modern tastes lean towards light and bright interiors. Painting over or removing panels can transform and enlarge a room.
While wood might still work as an accent, covering entire walls is a trend best left in the past.
5. Carpeted Bathrooms
Carpet and bathrooms mix about as well as oil and water. This trend from yesteryear seems more suited to mishaps than modern design.
Humidity and carpet create a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Potential buyers will imagine soggy, unpleasant odors rather than a spa-like retreat.
Swapping carpet for tile or vinyl not only updates the look but also adds hygienic appeal.
6. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds belong to an era of office spaces, not cozy homes. These clunky window treatments can make spaces feel cold and impersonal.
Replacing them with airy drapes or stylish shades warms up a room instantly. They clatter and tangle, leaving you fiddling more than enjoying the view.
Opting for softer fabrics adds elegance and can enhance your home’s appeal.
7. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Wall-to-wall carpeting once ruled the domain of home flooring but now trails behind hardwood’s reign. These expansive rugs wear over time, revealing stains and odors that aren’t easy on the eyes or nose.
Today’s market leans towards durability and easy maintenance, values emphasized by potential buyers. Hardwood or tile is more versatile and appealing.
Updating floors is a worthy investment, adding value and style that carpet simply can’t match.
8. Over-the-Top Wallpaper
Bold wallpaper patterns might have once enlivened rooms, but now they overwhelm. These vivid designs can limit your decor options and date your home faster than a time machine.
Today’s buyers often prefer neutral backdrops for versatility. Removing wallpaper is labor-intensive, but the refreshed results are rewarding.
Subtle textures or painted walls offer timeless appeal, keeping your interiors fresh and inviting.
9. Tile Countertops
Tile countertops were once kitchen favorites but now crack under modern scrutiny. Their grout lines are cleaning nightmares, trapping crumbs and stains.
Sleek surfaces like quartz or granite are the new heavyweights in kitchen design. They offer a seamless look and durability that tiles can’t compete with.
Upgrading countertops can transform the cooking space and boost market interest.
10. Built-In Entertainment Centers
Built-in entertainment centers once showcased bulky TVs, now they hold back modern living. These oversized structures can dominate a room, making it feel cramped.
With today’s slim screens, flexible furniture solutions are favored. A sleek console or wall mount allows for more creativity in room arrangements.
Freeing up space caters to contemporary tastes and can help your property stand out.
11. Track Lighting
Track lighting once spotlighted homes but now shines a light on outdated design. These clunky fixtures can clutter ceilings and limit lighting flexibility.
Recessed or pendant lights offer cleaner lines and versatile illumination. Upgrading can brighten a room and enhance its modern flair.
Buyers appreciate the sleek aesthetics and functionality of newer lighting solutions.
12. Heavy Draperies
Heavy draperies once framed windows with elegance, now they just block out style. These cumbersome curtains can darken rooms and collect dust.
Sheer, lightweight fabrics allow natural light to flood in, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Updating window treatments is a breeze that freshens up interiors.
Such changes can open up spaces, making them more inviting to potential buyers.
13. Faux Finishes
Faux finishes aimed to add character, but now they just add confusion. These painted effects can feel gimmicky and date your decor.
Simplicity and authenticity guide modern design principles. Smooth, polished surfaces offer a neutral canvas for personalization.
Replacing faux finishes can instantly modernize a home, boosting its aesthetic appeal.
14. Matching Furniture Sets
Matching furniture sets once symbolized harmony, now they signal a design rut. These uniform pieces can lack personality and stifle creativity.
Today’s interiors embrace eclectic mixes that reflect individual style. Curate pieces that tell a story rather than adhere to a catalog look.
Updating furnishings encourages unique expression and keeps decor from feeling stale.
15. Border Wallpaper
Border wallpaper once framed rooms with flair, now it boxes in creativity. These narrow strips can make ceilings feel lower and walls seem confined.
Modern design prefers clean lines and open space. Removing borders liberates room aesthetics and aligns with contemporary trends.
This simple change can significantly refresh a room’s look.
16. Glass Block Walls
Glass block walls once promised privacy with style, now they block progress. Their bulky form feels more confining than liberating.
Modern alternatives like frosted glass or open concepts enhance light and space. Such updates can breathe new life into tired designs.
Buyers often seek fluidity in spaces, which these alternatives offer in abundance.
17. Excessive Built-Ins
Built-ins were meant to maximize space, yet too many can trap it. Overcrowding rooms with permanent fixtures restricts flexibility in layout.
Contemporary design loves modular and movable solutions, providing adaptability for various needs.
Reducing the built-ins can open up spaces, appealing to a broader range of homebuyers.
18. Tile Backsplashes
Tile backsplashes were once the toast of kitchens, but now they’re not so hot. Busy patterns can overwhelm, competing with other design elements.
Clean lines and neutral tones are preferred today, offering serenity and style. Updating backsplashes can subtly elevate a kitchen’s appeal.
Opt for simplicity, letting the kitchen’s functionality take center stage.
19. Arched Windows
Arched windows once added architectural intrigue, now they can seem out-of-step. These curves might clash with sleek, linear designs dominating today.
Standard rectangular windows offer more versatility in treatments and styles. Adjusting or updating can align homes with current trends.
Such changes provide a facelift, keeping properties looking fresh and relevant.
20. Textured Walls
Textured walls aimed to add depth, yet now they make spaces feel heavy. These finishes can trap dust and complicate painting.
Smooth surfaces are easier to maintain and offer more flexibility in decor. Flattening textures can modernize a home and facilitate future updates.
Buyers will appreciate the clean slate, ready for personalization.
21. Colored Bathroom Fixtures
Colored bathroom fixtures were once all the rage, now they’re just rage-inducing. These hues might clash with modern palettes, narrowing decor choices.
Neutral fixtures are timeless, allowing for easy updates in accessories and paint. Swapping colors for classics can enhance a bathroom’s appeal.
Such changes speak to potential buyers, who value versatility over vintage flair.
22. Barn Doors
Barn doors rolled into homes as a rustic charm, now they slide out of favor. These doors can limit privacy and clash with modern styles.
Traditional hinged doors offer better soundproofing and aesthetic compatibility. Replacing barn doors can streamline interiors and update functionality.
Potential buyers will appreciate the return to classic, reliable solutions.
23. Open Shelving
Open shelving once displayed curated collections, now it feels like chaos on a shelf. These shelves require constant tidiness to avoid a cluttered look.
Closed cabinets keep things neat and organized, appealing to those who value cleanliness. Updating storage solutions can enhance kitchen aesthetics.
This change offers a practical and stylish upgrade to any culinary space.
24. Brown Granite Countertops
Brown granite countertops were once the crown jewel of kitchens, now they tarnish the throne. These dark stones can make spaces feel dated and cramped.
White quartz or lighter alternatives are preferred for their brightening effect and modern appeal. Replacing countertops can transform a kitchen’s look.
Such upgrades resonate with buyers who prioritize contemporary, airy designs.
25. Mismatched Appliances
Mismatched appliances once showed practicality, now they show a lack of cohesion. Different styles and finishes can break the flow of a kitchen’s design.
Coordinated appliances bring harmony and elevate the space’s aesthetic. Updating to match helps your kitchen shine.
Buyers appreciate the seamless integration, making the decision to invest all the easier.