Out with the Old, In with the New
Style isn’t eternal, and sometimes no matter how much money and time you invest in decorating your home (or how few trends you fall for), your interior decor becomes dated, and the look you once loved doesn’t work as well. Despite your best efforts, that brightly colored accent wall you painted earlier just isn’t doing the job anymore.
Most trends — appliances in harvest gold and avocado, reflective brass fixtures, open floor plans and ultrahigh ceilings — date homes to a particular time in history. Although no designer has a crystal ball, some styling choices are sure to date your home to 2021. Here’s to out with the old and in with the new.
Modern Farmhouse
White board-and-batten walls, industrial accents and neutral tones: The design world has exploded with the modern farmhouse look, mostly thanks to Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper” fame. Popular trends have an unfortunate habit of being overdone
Instead: Incorporate one element. Dip your toe in. Rather than overhauling your entire living space with a trend, use elements of the modern farmhouse aesthetic, such board-and-batten or shiplap, on just one wall.
Matte Black Fixtures
Piggybacking on the modern farmhouse trend is matte black plumbing, light fixtures and handrails. It’s “one of those finishes that’s going to date itself, for sure,” Lee says.
Instead: Mix in classic looks. Using mixed metals will create a layered space so you’re not tying every element to a single trendy item.
Dark Or Bold Furniture
Terra cotta, burgundy, olive green and other dark tones can be risky, especially for a staple item, such as a sofa. Lighter-colored pieces don’t have to be off-limits. Furniture companies have really stepped up their game with performance fabrics in recent years, so they can be dry-cleaned, laundered or spot-cleaned.
Instead: Keep it neutral. People can go back to that classic, neutral palette, which allows you to change up the look by changing pillows or putting a different color throw on it.
Inauthentic, Blended Styles
Avoid opting for a trend that doesn’t serve your home’s architecture. You don’t instinctively think of an urban loft with modern farmhouse style or cold, industrial elements in a homey Cape Cod for a reason. Any style that clashes with a space’s authenticity can be problematic.
Instead: Preserve architectural integrity. Trying to force stylistic choices can make a space appear dated and trendy in a bad way. Work with the original architectural details (exterior styling, cabinets and trim, columns) that are built in to the home and not easily changed.
Rustic Wooden Feature Wall
Thanks to the farmhouse boom, wooden features are a la mode. Keep rustic or reclaimed wood at a minimum – if you insist, try for something clean and natural looking.
Instead: Try grass-cloth wallpaper. Rather than something that’s destined to become “very dated this style choice will give you the texture you didn’t know you were looking for without looking passé.
Exposed Edison Bulbs
They look cool, but it’s just not the best lighting and you’re going to get tired of the glare if fixtures are at eye level. If you really want to use them, chandeliers are the best application.
Instead: Install shaded fixtures. Consider using organic shapes and coloured glass for great visual impact and diffused light.
Sliding Barn Doors
The interior barn door with exposed hardware is a product of the industrial and modern farmhouse trends. Whether rustic or painted or modern, everyone’s in love with barn doors right now. And while there’s plenty of ways to go about this trend – it definitely deserves a space on this list.
Instead: Go with pocket or folding doors, but keep in mind that typically, pocket doors are not as soundproof and don’t provide as much privacy as a regular swing door. This is your chance to add interesting door hardware, large hinges or unique double doors instead.
