Timeless or tiring? Some interior trends become so ubiquitous that they start to lose their appeal. Don't worry if your homes are packed with these popular looks – they are certainly gorgeous right now. But we're just not sure how we will feel about them in a decade. From open-plan living to palette furniture, these are the trends that we think will go out of style sooner or later. Let's see if you agree...
Naked light bulbs and fixtures have a super-edgy industrial vibe. They also look rustic, so can suit the farmhouse style (more on that later). But the appeal of their distinctive shape and exposed bright filaments might start to fade after a while when we ditch the stark style for more homely comfort. However, our instincts tell us that the vintage-look lamps will continue to light the way in the form of festoon lighting in the garden.
Ah, the faithful metro or subway tile. The neat slab layout has adorned bathroom walls and kitchen splashbacks for decades now, but is the brickwork beginning to crumble? We think metro tiles are more of an icon than a trend, so will always stand the test of time. However, well-worn overlapping horizontal lines are already giving way to new sizes, designs and textures.
Neutral walls, white wood furniture and plenty of warm natural materials may seem rustic and gorgeous now. But, it won't be long until we put the farmhouse style out to pasture for good. Why? The look has been overdone in houses and apartments that are miles from farmland, and will eventually start to look completely out of place.
As with farmhouse decor, any home that isn't within earshot of seagulls but is decorated in a coastal theme will soon wash out to sea. Seashells, anchor art and rope mirrors will be gone, making way for simple timeless stripes, seascape colour palettes and accessories made from natural materials.
Lofty, open-plan living was once super cool but, following the pandemic, some of us have learned the hard way that lots of people living in one space can take its toll. Already we are seeing a surge in room dividers and it's a hot trend brewing in 2022. The need to preserve privacy with separate activity rooms is increasing.
Wood pallets have long been upcycled into indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, home bars, wall art and features walls. But as they have become more mainstream and less refined, it could be time that the splintery deck boards may soon only be used for their original purpose: that is, delivering furniture, rather than being it.
Word-up! Be it three-dimensional or framed, typographical art is nothing new – and its time is almost up. Personalised or handcrafted work could survive on its unique charm, but signs reading 'Home Sweet Home', 'Live, Laugh, Love' or 'Family' are very much over. Interior expert Zoe Warren told Tyla.com that: "Generic signs reading 'home' placed around your rooms look tacky." Instead, Zoe advises choosing something that fits your decor and or something individual to you.
Chevron patterns have been popular for a while. But the design is so sharp and busy it is easy to see how you may quickly tire of it. The overarching trends in interior design are leaning towards softer curves, so we don't think it will be long before zig-zags go in the bin bag.
There is no doubt about it: pom poms are fun. They're currently jazzing up woven baskets, hessian rugs and even embroidered bedding sets. But unless they are used to brighten a children's bedroom, the fuzzy little balls won't be bouncing around for long. Why? Home-crafting is so popular and creatives are always on the lookout for fresh and innovative techniques to display. Soon, the pom-pom will be yesterday's fuzzy little thing.
Let's face it: art will never go out of fashion. But how you display it might lose its appeal. Gallery walls have filled blank spaces with limitless designs for what feels like a lifetime, and multiple prints can look cluttered. We predict sparer, more zen-like arrangements will soon have their moment.
Grey has been described as 'new neutral' for so long now that it's become a familiar faithful. But Dulux announced its 'Brave New Ground' the 2021 colour of the year, way back in November 2020. Since then, the warm, earthy tone has been trickling into room schemes, leaving plain old grey looking cold.
Paint techniques have been on the scene since 'before and after' makeover TV shows began. From simple two-tone, to more creative geometric shapes, the designs have yet to date. But will we soon only see the wonder walls in re-runs? We think this will be the case, as monotone is making its move.
This is a tricky one, as some elements of tropical style are timeless. Think island-style wood furniture, smooth stone floors and subtle palm prints. However, the more exotic tropical trend that sees clashing colours will soon crash, while over-familiar motifs such as flamingos, toucans and cheeky monkeys will ultimately head back into the jungle.
The fuzzy fabric, often seen in creamy tones, is the perfect accompaniment to the warm and cosy neutral schemes of now. But, like most striking tactile upholstery, the look doesn't always last. Remember chenille? In a few years Boucle might make you shudder in the same way as that now-unloved material.
There's a trend flooding Instagram right now: show homes filled with industrial-style doors, windows and even shower screens. Crittal-style glazing certainly isn't new, but the graphic steel frames have overtaken bi-folds in popularity tenfold. But the black grid design is so graphic that, like other strong patterns we've mentioned, they could saturate and drown out all the other elements.
Decadent wall murals can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, and their striking imagery has dipped in and out of fashion ever since. Innovative technology and current trends are enabling decorators to create incredible natural landscapes such as forests and exotic lands. But such dramatic scenery could ultimately prove overwhelming.
A certain Berber-style rug is so popular in homes right now it even has its own Instagram handle. But while the deep-pile texture and global print are super-fashionable right now, how long before its mainstream appeal leads to its downfall?
Dark kitchens have been having their moment for a while now. But while their moody, atmospheric hues add drama and refinement, Interior experts DWH analysed Google search data from the past two years and discovered that white kitchen ideas have spiked an astonishing 20,000% in the past 18 months. So it seems the clean and fresh kitchen will eventually bleach the shady contenders out.
There is no denying statement floors are striking. But as flooring serves as a stable foundation and is expensive to install, we can't help but think that timeless options will soon take the lead. But if you simply can't resist jazzing up your treads before the style goes out of date, this rustic Medditerran pattern is vinyl, and is therefore cost-effective to replace in a few years.
From Edwardian chaise lounges to circular Love seats from the 70s, to today's sumptuous rich-toned sofas, intense, luxurious velvet is an interior trend that is reborn again and again. That being said, maybe we've seen one too many jewel-coloured cushions that even Beyoncé would admit are too bling. Are you excited to see how the plush velour gets reinvented next – or looking forward to throwing the fabric out like a pair of crushed velvet leggings?
Macrame as an art form is both practical and pretty. However, it could be time to untie the knots from all those omnipresent hanging chairs, hanging planters and wall hangings. The trend may 'hang around' for a bit longer in gardens, but indoors the bohemian textile looks like it's being replaced with classic and colourful embroidery, which is already making its way into big brand trend stories.
Whether it's brushed gold, matt black or reflective brass, feature fixtures are the go-to accessory in trendy kitchens and bathrooms right now. But they are easy to replace, and it won't be long before and new finish takes over. Plus, the chic extras may look the part but they are not so practical – ask anyone who's installed a matt black faucet in a hard water area!
A hero piece of farmhouse-style, barn doors have been lending our homes a rustic charm for a good few years. But the chunky gates may soon be moved along by more elegant pocket doors that slide directly inside the adjacent wall. Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas of Interiors by Design told Insider: "The trend for barn doors, often painted a drab brown, will be replaced by pocket doors or classic French doors."
During the 90s, dried flowers were chic. Then they just got dusty. Right now Pampas grasses, bunny tails and poppy heads are so hot, they've literally dehydrated! But how long before we need to bring out the feather duster again?
Trends tend to follow a pattern where looks come and then go, before returning a few years later with an update. Rattan furniture is a perfect example. During the 60s and 70s, it was a stylish staple within bohemian-style schemes. But it started to get a dated and dreary reputation. Now, thanks to our hunt for sustainable materials and texture, woven wood is back. It will probably always have a place in our gardens, but we suspect the familiar pattern will again date quickly.
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