Interior Designers Agree: These Home Trends Instantly Make a Space Look Tacky or Dated

There's a difference between a design that ages like a classic and one that just ages, and designers say a surprising number of once-popular choices fall into the second group.

Some home trends come and never go, becoming all-time favorites. But some, designers say, have overstayed their welcome and must go for good. Here are the trends that experts now consider tacky, dated, or simply overdone. If you have these in your homes, it’s time to let them go.

Vessel Sinks and Glass Tile

According to designer Susie Novak, "A shocking amount of bad design traces back to the 90s," and this includes vessel sinks. "They always look forced, they're a nightmare to keep clean, and I've yet to see one that actually elevates a space."

Novak advises staying away from these and using a farmhouse sink instead. Another 90s trend that Novak despises is the glass tile. "It's miserable to install, and even at its best, it still reads like a sterile '90s bathroom," Novak says.

Millwork Done Wrong

Molding, paneling, and decorative trim can elevate a room, but only when they look like they actually belong there. "These features were originally practical solutions to structural or functional issues, so if you make sure they look authentic, they'll look correct," says designer Jonathan Gordon. "Otherwise, there's a good chance that they'll look tacky."

There’s also one trend popularized by home design shows that designer Juliana Ewer advises against: adding a single accent wall behind a TV. Ewer suggests adding wainscoting along the lower half of every wall in a room instead of just one wall.

All-White Everything

Ewer thinks all-white kitchens and bathrooms have become "the generic update of the decade" because it’s the safest choice, especially when selling homes. There’s nothing wrong with white, according to Ewer, there should be some contrast, like natural wood accents or texture so the room doesn’t look too flat.

Arches and Chandeliers, Without Restraint

Now that arched doorways and windows are making a comeback, designer Tracy Kurc warns against jumping on the trend, without any thought, just because they’re popular. "Trend-forward design without restraint doesn't make a home feel luxurious; it makes it feel overworked," she says.

This is also true for statement entryway chandeliers. When sourced and styled well, they make a good first impression, but Gordon warns that a cheap fixture will always look cheap, regardless of its size.

Overdone Furniture Trends

There are also several furniture designs that designers have grown tired of, such as chrome accents, especially knockoff versions of iconic pieces. According to designer Ali Budd, these become bothersome, not because they’re outdated but because they feel inauthentic. "It's not about trends, it's about integrity," she says.

For designer Kristy Turner, it’s the over-the-top, heavily decorated furniture that need to go in favor of simpler pieces made from natural materials, which clients now prefer. This also includes jewel-toned velvet sofas and button-tufted Chesterfields, which may look good in photos, but snag, crush, and wear out easily.

Patterns That Didn't Age Well

Fabrics like Chevron and Ikat aren’t getting any more attention from designers. According to Amy Elbaum, Chevron's bold, high-contrast design is dated and doesn't easily mix with other styles. Mikel Welch feels the same about Ikat, once his go-to pattern, which he now finds "loud" and "busy" for his current, minimalist taste.

What the designers are saying isn’t that these trends are bad, but when used without restraint, authenticity, or without thinking long-term, they become dated and tacky.