MomSkoop
Home design moves fast, and what looked stylish a few years ago can suddenly feel tired and outdated. Trends that once dominated every home magazine and Pinterest board are now making their way out the door. Whether it’s bold patterns, heavy furniture, or certain color schemes, homeowners are ready for fresh ideas that feel modern and welcoming.
1. All-Gray Everything
Gray walls, gray floors, gray furniture—for years, this color dominated every room in the house. While it seemed safe and modern at first, too much gray can make a space feel cold and lifeless. Homeowners are craving warmth again.
Warmer tones like beige, cream, and soft earth colors are taking over. These shades bring coziness and comfort back into living spaces. Adding natural wood accents also helps balance out any remaining gray elements.
If your home feels like a grayscale photo, it might be time for a refresh. Small changes, like swapping throw pillows or repainting an accent wall, can make a huge difference without breaking the bank.
2. Chevron and Herringbone Overload
Once upon a time, zigzag chevron patterns and herringbone designs were everywhere—on rugs, pillows, walls, and even backsplashes. They added energy and movement to a room, but the trend quickly became overwhelming. Too many bold patterns can make a space feel busy and chaotic instead of stylish.
Nowadays, people prefer simpler, cleaner patterns or solid colors that create a calm atmosphere. Geometric designs are still around, but they’re more subtle and balanced. Mixing textures instead of patterns is a popular choice now.
If your home is full of zigzags, consider toning it down. Replace one or two bold pieces with softer alternatives to give your eyes a break.
3. Shiplap Walls Everywhere
Thanks to popular home renovation shows, shiplap became the go-to wall treatment for farmhouse-style homes. Horizontal wooden planks covered living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and even ceilings. While charming at first, shiplap quickly became repetitive and predictable.
Many homeowners are now removing or painting over shiplap to create smoother, more versatile walls. Clean drywall or textured plaster finishes are making a comeback. These options allow for more flexibility in decorating and updating a room’s style over time.
Did you know? Shiplap was originally used on the exterior of barns and ships, not inside homes! If you still love the look, try limiting it to one accent wall instead of an entire room.
4. Bulky Furniture Sets
Matching furniture sets—complete with a sofa, loveseat, and chair all in the same fabric—used to be the standard way to furnish a living room. These oversized, matchy-matchy pieces often felt heavy and outdated. They also left little room for personal style or creativity.
Today’s approach is all about mixing and matching different styles, colors, and textures. Combining vintage finds with modern pieces creates a more interesting and personalized space. Lighter, streamlined furniture also makes rooms feel bigger and more open.
If you’re stuck with a bulky set, try reupholstering one piece in a fresh fabric or swapping out the chair for something completely different. Breaking up the set instantly modernizes your space.
5. Tuscan-Inspired Kitchens
Warm terracotta tiles, wrought iron accents, and dark wood cabinets once brought an old-world Italian charm to kitchens across the country. While beautiful in theory, Tuscan kitchens often felt dark, cluttered, and heavy. The style became so popular that it lost its uniqueness and started to feel generic.
Modern kitchens now favor bright, airy spaces with lighter wood tones or painted cabinets. Simple hardware and clean lines replace ornate details. Open shelving and natural materials like marble and brass add elegance without the weight.
If you’re living with a Tuscan kitchen, small updates can help lighten the mood. Painting cabinets white or light gray and swapping out heavy fixtures can transform the space completely.
6. Word Art and Inspirational Signs
Signs that say things like “Live, Laugh, Love” or “Gather” were once must-haves in every home. They filled empty walls and seemed to add personality. However, these mass-produced phrases quickly became clichés, showing up in almost every house in identical ways.
People now want art and decor that feels more personal and meaningful. Original artwork, family photos, or unique vintage finds tell a better story than generic word signs. Handmade items or pieces with real history bring character that cookie-cutter signs never could.
If your walls are covered in word art, consider swapping them out for something more authentic. Even a simple gallery wall of personal photos feels fresher and more genuine than store-bought slogans.
7. Granite Countertops in Every Kitchen
Granite was the gold standard for kitchen countertops for decades. Its durability and variety of colors made it a popular choice. But after years of seeing the same speckled patterns in brown, black, and beige, granite started to feel dated and predictable.
Quartz, marble, and even butcher block are now preferred for their cleaner, more modern looks. Quartz offers similar durability without the busy patterns, while marble adds timeless elegance. These materials allow for more customization and suit a wider range of design styles.
Fun fact: Granite is actually formed from cooled magma deep inside the Earth! If you already have granite counters, you don’t need to replace them immediately—just update surrounding elements to freshen the space.
8. Mason Jar Decor
Mason jars turned into soap dispensers, vases, candle holders, and even light fixtures flooded homes during the rustic decor craze. What started as a charming DIY trend quickly became overused and predictable. Seeing mason jars in every corner of a home lost its appeal fast.
Homeowners are now choosing more refined and varied decor pieces. Ceramic vases, glass containers with unique shapes, and metal accents offer more sophistication. These items still serve practical purposes but feel less gimmicky and more intentional.
If you’re holding onto mason jar decor, it’s okay to let it go. Replace them with pieces that reflect your personal style rather than following a trend. Your home will feel more curated and less like everyone else’s.
9. Open Shelving in Kitchens
Open shelving promised a clean, modern look and easy access to dishes and glassware. In reality, it often led to cluttered, dusty displays that required constant maintenance. Unless you’re extremely organized, open shelves can quickly look messy instead of stylish.
Closed cabinetry is making a strong comeback, offering cleaner lines and hidden storage. Upper cabinets keep everyday items out of sight while still being accessible. For those who love the open look, mixing a few open shelves with closed cabinets strikes a better balance.
Did you know? Open shelving originated in restaurant kitchens where quick access was essential! In home kitchens, though, it’s more practical to keep most items tucked away. Consider limiting open shelves to one small area for display pieces only.
10. Accent Walls in Bold Colors
Painting one wall in a bright, bold color—like deep purple, bright orange, or electric blue—was a popular way to add drama to a room. While it seemed exciting at first, these accent walls often clashed with furniture and made spaces feel unbalanced. The trend quickly became dated as tastes shifted toward softer palettes.
Neutral or muted accent walls are now preferred, using colors like sage green, dusty blue, or warm terracotta. These tones add interest without overwhelming the room. Textured walls or subtle wallpaper patterns also create focal points in more sophisticated ways.
If you have a bold accent wall, repainting is an easy fix. Choosing a softer shade instantly modernizes the space and makes it easier to decorate around.
11. Overstuffed, Oversized Sofas
Deep, puffy sofas with thick cushions and rolled arms were once the ultimate comfort furniture. While cozy, they often dominated a room and made spaces feel smaller and cramped. Their bulky appearance also limited decorating options and made rearranging furniture nearly impossible.
Sleeker, more streamlined sofas with cleaner lines are now in demand. Mid-century modern styles and low-profile designs create a more open, airy feel. These sofas are still comfortable but don’t overpower the room, allowing other design elements to shine.
If you’re stuck with an overstuffed sofa, try pairing it with lighter furniture pieces to balance the space. Eventually, upgrading to a more modern style will make your living room feel fresher and more spacious without sacrificing comfort.