13 “Trendy” Looks That Are Ruining Your Home
Everyone wants to have a home that is both comfortable and trendy. Unfortunately, some of the most popular home design trends can actually detract from the beauty and functionality of your space.
While it’s always fun to experiment with new design ideas, it’s important to consider whether they will truly enhance your home or just make it look cluttered, outdated or unappealing. Here are 13 “trendy” looks that, while popular, might be ruining your home.
1. Open Shelving
Open shelving is a popular trend in modern kitchens, but it can easily make your space look cluttered. When you have open shelves, every dish, cup, and bowl becomes a part of your decor. If you’re not careful, this can lead to a messy, disorganized look.
Additionally, open shelves can be a hassle to keep clean. Dust, grease, and other cooking splatters can easily soil your dishes and other items on the shelves, meaning you’ll have to clean them more often. If you love the look of open shelves, consider using them sparingly and in conjunction with closed cabinetry.
2. All-White Everything
While an all-white interior can look clean and modern, it can also come off as cold and sterile if not done correctly. Plus, it can be difficult to keep an all-white space looking pristine, particularly if you have kids or pets.
Instead of going all-out with the white, try incorporating some color into your home decor. You can do this through accent walls, furniture, rugs, or even just a few well-placed accessories. This will add some warmth and personality to your space while still maintaining a clean, modern look.
3. Overdone Industrial Design
Industrial design, with its exposed brick and metal accents, can give your home a cool, edgy vibe. However, when overdone, it can make your home feel cold and unwelcoming.
To avoid this, try to balance out the industrial elements with softer, warmer features. For example, offset exposed brick walls with plush furniture, warm lighting, and soft textiles. This will help to create a more balanced, inviting space.
4. Excessive Gallery Walls
Gallery walls can be a great way to showcase your favorite photos, art pieces, or other memorabilia. However, when overdone, they can make your walls look cluttered and your home feel chaotic.
Instead of filling every wall with frames, try to be more selective with your gallery wall. Pick a few key pieces that you really love and arrange them in a simple, cohesive way. This will create a more balanced, sophisticated look.
5. Fast Furniture
Fast furniture, like fast fashion, is cheaply made and not designed to last. While it might be tempting to fill your home with trendy, inexpensive pieces, these items can quickly fall apart and end up in a landfill.
Invest in quality furniture that will last. It might be more expensive upfront, but it will save you money in the long run. Plus, well-made furniture can add a sense of luxury and sophistication to your home.
6. Too Many Throw Pillows
Throw pillows can add a pop of color and a sense of comfort to your living room or bedroom. However, too many throw pillows can make your space look cluttered and your furniture look uninviting.
Instead of going overboard with the pillows, try to limit yourself to a few key pieces. This will keep your furniture looking inviting and your decor looking clean and simple.
7. Cluttered Countertops
Cluttered countertops can make your kitchen look messy and disorganized. Plus, they can take up valuable prep space and make cooking more difficult.
Instead of leaving everything out on the counter, try to find a place for each item in your kitchen. This will make your kitchen look cleaner and more organized, and it will make cooking more enjoyable.
8. Overly Themed Rooms
While it can be fun to decorate a room around a specific theme, doing so can make your space look tacky and dated. Plus, you might get tired of the theme quickly and be left with a room full of decor that you no longer like.
Instead of going all-out with a theme, try to incorporate elements of it in a more subtle way. This will give your room a cohesive look without making it feel overdone.
9. Synthetic Materials
Synthetic materials, like polyester and plastic, can be cheap and easy to clean. However, they can also look cheap and can be harmful to the environment.
Instead, try to incorporate more natural materials into your home decor. This will give your space a more luxurious, high-end feel, and it will be better for the environment.
10. Matching Furniture Sets
While matching furniture sets can make decorating easier, they can also make your home look generic and lacking in personality.
Instead of buying a matching set, try to mix and match different pieces. This will give your home a unique, eclectic feel and will allow you to show off your personal style.
11. Shiplap Overload
While shiplap can add a rustic touch to your home, too much of it can make your space look dated and overdone.
Instead of covering every wall with shiplap, try using it on one accent wall or in small doses. This will give you the rustic look you want without overwhelming your space.
12. Minimalism to the Extreme
While minimalism can help keep your home clean and clutter-free, taking it to the extreme can make your space feel cold and uninviting.
Instead of stripping your home down to the bare essentials, try to find a balance between minimalism and comfort. This will create a space that feels clean and organized, but also warm and welcoming.
13. Too Much DIY
While DIY projects can be fun and cost-effective, too many of them can make your home look cheap and unfinished.
Instead of trying to DIY everything, pick a few key projects that you’re confident you can do well. For everything else, don’t be afraid to hire a professional. This will ensure that everything in your home is done right and looks high-quality.
Remember, trends come and go, but your home is forever. So, choose designs that resonate with you and that will stand the test of time.