Have you ever looked around your living room and felt like something was… off? Maybe the decor that felt so fresh a few years ago now seems a little tired. It’s a common feeling! Home decor trends come and go, and what was popular yesterday might make your home feel dated today.
Knowing which styles are on their way out is a secret weapon for any homeowner. It helps you make smart choices, whether you’re planning a big renovation or just a simple weekend refresh. You can create a space that feels current, timeless, and truly you.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 outdated interior design trends for 2025. More importantly, we’ll show you simple, easy ways to update your home for a beautiful, modern look.
Home Decor Trends to Avoid in 2025
Let’s dive into the styles that are starting to fade. Don’t worry if you have some of these in your home! Most of them are easy to change with a few small tweaks.
1. The Lone Accent Wall
Accent walls were a fun way to add a pop of color without committing to a whole room. But now, design is moving toward a more immersive feeling. A single painted wall can stop the eye and make a room feel smaller and less connected.
The Fresh Update: Instead of one accent wall, try “color drenching.” This means painting the walls, trim, doors, and even the ceiling all the same color. It sounds bold, but it creates a calm, high-end look that makes your room feel bigger and more unified. If you love your accent wallpaper, consider continuing it on all four walls for a huge impact.
2. The Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
For years, the fiddle leaf fig was the “it” plant. You saw it in every home decor magazine. But because it was everywhere, it now feels a bit overdone. While any greenery is good, this specific tree can tie your home to a look from about five years ago.
The Fresh Update: There are so many other beautiful plants to bring life into your space! Try an olive tree for a soft, sophisticated feel, or a bird of paradise for a bold, tropical vibe. The key is to choose greenery that feels a little less common.
3. The Rustic Sliding Barn Door
Sliding barn doors were a signature of the modern farmhouse style. They are useful for saving space, but the heavy, rustic hardware can feel out of place in homes that aren’t actual farmhouses. This look has become so common that it’s no longer a unique feature.
The Fresh Update: If you need a space-saving door, a pocket door is a great choice. It slides right into the wall for a clean, seamless look. You can also find modern sliding doors with hidden hardware. This gives you the same function without the outdated rustic feel.
4. The Glass Top Dining Table
A glass dining table can seem sleek and modern, but it often has the opposite effect. These tables show every single fingerprint and scratch, making them hard to keep clean. The style itself also tends to look dated quickly, especially when paired with certain types of metal or wood bases.
The Fresh Update: A solid wood or stone dining table is a much more timeless choice. These materials add warmth and texture to your dining room. They are also much more durable and forgiving, which is perfect for a busy home.
5. High-Gloss Finishes
Shiny floors and countertops reflect a lot of light, but they can also look manufactured and dated. The trend today is moving toward more natural, muted finishes that feel soft and organic. High-gloss surfaces also show every scuff, footprint, and speck of dust.
The Fresh Update: Choose matte or honed finishes for your floors and countertops. A honed stone countertop has a beautiful, soft texture that hides imperfections. Matte-finish wood floors look natural and sophisticated, and they are great at hiding minor wear and tear.
6. The Over-the-Top Boho Style
The boho style, with its macrame wall hangings and rattan everything, had a long run. But a room that is completely decorated in this one style can now look more like a trend from the past than a fresh space.
The Fresh Update: Instead of going all-in on one style, mix a few of your favorite boho pieces with more classic furniture. A single rattan chair can add a relaxed, coastal feel to a traditional room. The goal is to create a collected, personal look, not a themed room.
7. White Subway Tile with Dark Grout
This was another huge trend tied to the farmhouse style. The high contrast between the white tile and dark grout creates a very busy grid pattern. While subway tile itself is classic, this specific application now feels dated.
The Fresh Update: If you love subway tile, use a grout color that is similar to the tile itself. White tile with white or light gray grout creates a seamless, clean look that feels much more timeless and modern.
8. Double-Height Kitchen Countertops
Many kitchen islands used to have a two-level design, with a lower surface for prep and a higher bar for seating. This breaks up the space and makes the kitchen feel smaller and more closed off. It also creates a look that is firmly from the early 2000s.
The Fresh Update: A single, large, flat island is the way to go. This creates a huge, open surface that is great for cooking, eating, and gathering. It makes your whole kitchen feel more spacious and connected. Opt for counter-height stools instead of bar-height ones.
9. “Bed in a Bag” Sets
A bed in a bag is convenient—you get a comforter, shams, and pillows all in one matching set. However, this perfectly matched look can make a bedroom feel flat and impersonal. A beautiful bedroom should look collected and layered over time.
The Fresh Update: Buy your bedding pieces separately. Start with a simple duvet cover in a solid color or subtle pattern. Then, add layers with different textures, like a cozy quilt or a soft throw blanket. Mix and match your pillowcases and add a few decorative throw pillows to create a rich, curated look.
10. Stark White and Black Interiors
A room with only black and white can feel cold and a little too minimal. While it’s a classic color combination, the trend of using only these two colors is fading. Homes today are all about warmth, comfort, and personality.
The Fresh Update: This is an easy one to fix! If your room is black and white, start adding warmth. Bring in wood furniture, a soft rug with a bit of color, warm lamplight, and cozy pillows and blankets. These layers will make the space feel inviting and complete.
Quick Guide: Outdated vs. Modern Decor
Here is a simple table to help you remember these simple swaps.
| Outdated Trend | Why It’s Fading | Modern Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Accent Walls | Feels disconnected | Color drenching the whole room |
| Sliding Barn Doors | Overused and too rustic | Pocket doors or hidden hardware |
| High-Gloss Finishes | Looks manufactured | Matte or honed finishes |
| Bed in a Bag | Lacks personality | Layered, mixed-and-match bedding |
| Two-Level Counters | Closes off the kitchen | A single, large, flat island |
FAQs
What is the 3-5-7 rule in interior design?
The 3-5-7 rule is a simple decorating tip. It says to group items in odd numbers. Things look more natural this way. Try putting three or five items together. This is more pleasing to the eye.
What is the trend in home design in 2025?
The trend for 2025 is warmth and comfort. People want cozy and personal spaces. Natural materials like wood are very popular. Think of soft, earthy colors. Homes are feeling more welcoming.
What are the interior trends for 2026?
Trends for 2026 will focus on timeless style. People will choose quality items that last. Sustainable and eco-friendly design will be key. Calm colors and natural textures will stay popular.
What is the meaning of outdated design?
Outdated design is a style that is no longer in fashion. It was popular in the past. Now, it can make a home look old. Design trends change over the years.
What is the 60/30/10 rule in interior design?
The 60/30/10 rule is a guide for using color. It helps balance your color scheme. Use a main color for 60% of your room. Use a second color for 30%. Add a pop of accent color for the last 10%.
Your Home, Your Rules
At the end of the day, your home should be a place that you love. These are just suggestions to help you if you’re looking to update your home. If you have a sliding barn door and it brings you joy, then keep it! The most important rule in interior design is to create a space that works for you and makes you happy.
But if you’ve been feeling like your home needs a fresh start, tackling one of these outdated interior design trends is a great place to begin. A few small changes can make your entire home feel brand new.
What is the first trend you plan to update in your home? Share your ideas in the comments below!
