Interior designers share 10 of the worst trends they've seen this year, so far

Interior designers share 10 of the worst trends they've seen this year, so far
  • Business Insider asked interior designers about the worst trends they saw this year.

  • The experts said fast furniture and beige walls need to go before 2025.

  • Extreme minimalism, bouclé, and open shelving are also on the way out.

Housing prices are still rising, and properties are moving at a painfully slow rate.

Whether you're trying to make your house stand out on the market or just spruce up your space, Business Insider asked interior designers about the worst trends they saw this year — so you at least know what to avoid.

Here's what they said.

Fast furniture isn't holding up.

modern fast-furniture wooden bed with green bedding
Flat-pack furniture can be more affordable, but it doesn't always look best. JulezzzAUS/Shutterstock

Samantha Lund, the CEO and principal designer at Simply Sam, told BI that she doesn't like the increase in fast furniture — like ready-to-assemble or flat-pack pieces from large chains.

"The trend of buying cheap, disposable furniture has negative impacts on both the environment and personal style," she said. "These pieces often lack quality and character, leading to frequent replacements and increased waste."

Lund said it's better to invest in well-made, timeless pieces if it's in the budget or shop secondhand for cheaper finds that still have character.

All the bouclé has gone too far.

living room with two bouclé chairs and a small round end table
Bouclé chairs and couches became popular this year. Kristen Prahl/Getty Images

Andy Yates, the principal designer at Andy Yates Design, said bouclé is a nice way to bring cozy texture into a room. However, when every chair, sofa, and ottoman has the same nubby fabric, it feels overplayed.

"I like to mix bouclé with complementary materials like smooth velvet, crisp cotton, or sleek leather for a more dynamic look," he told BI. "Incorporate bouclé sparingly, perhaps in an accent chair or ottoman, for just the right amount of tactile warmth."

Painting upholstery isn't the answer.

yellow upholstered chair in a living room with fake plants
If you want to give a chair or couch a new color, just reupholster it. Chodimeafotime/Shutterstock

Kasandra Rafter, an interior designer and the founder of Canyon Creative, told BI that she's noticed a rise in the number of people painting fabric furniture to refresh it.

However, the unconventional DIY trend can leave chairs and couches stiff and uncomfortable.

"Instead, I recommend reupholstering if the piece is worth salvaging or opting for a slipcover for a cleaner, more practical solution that maintains the fabric's integrity and comfort," she said.

Extreme minimalism isn't all that practical.

minimalist living room setup
Keeping everything neat as a pin is challenging. Kite_rin/Shutterstock

Although many people have embraced decluttering this year, Lund thinks some people have taken it too far.

"The trend of extreme minimalism has often resulted in sterile, unwelcoming spaces devoid of personality," she said. "This austere approach has made homes feel more like a showroom than a lived-in space."

A better alternative would be to embrace a more balanced minimalism that still allows for personal touches and comfort.

"Those who went too minimal can now slowly reintroduce carefully chosen decorative items, artwork, and cozy textiles to create a more inviting atmosphere without sacrificing the clean aesthetic," she told BI.

Matching furniture sets don't have enough personality.

matching black furniture in a yellow bedroom.
You don't have to buy matching dressers and nightstands for your bedroom. Toyakisphoto/Shutterstock

Although matching furniture sets may seem practical and convenient, Joyce Huston, the lead interior designer and cofounder at Decorilla Online Interior Design, told BI she doesn't like them.

"Matching sets make rooms feel cookie-cutter and uninspired," she said.

The designer suggested mixing and matching pieces from different styles and eras to create a more curated, eclectic look.

"Don't get hung up on matching wood species and paint colors perfectly, but embrace the variation," she told BI.

There's still too much farmhouse decor.

farmhouse style bathroom with a rustic wooden vanity, a tub, and a shower
The rustic design style is getting rusty. Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

The oversaturation of farmhouse-style decor — characterized by shiplap walls, barn doors, and rustic signs — has led to a lack of originality.

"While elements of this style can be charming, its widespread use has made it feel inauthentic and dated," Lund told BI.

She suggested incorporating subtle rustic elements into your overall design if you're a big fan of the trend.

Drapery isn't the best room divider.

sheer curtain dividing rooms in a home
Curtain dividers can make a space feel unfinished. Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Rafter told BI that she's seen an uptick in drapery being used as room dividers this past year.

"When privacy or separation is needed, we suggest using functional, stylish alternatives like open bookcases or decorative screens," she said. "These not only create boundaries but also bring character and personality to the space."

Beige isn't doing anything for your walls.

beige living room with modern furniture and fake plants
Painting everything beige and other flavors of off-white is boring. Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

Yates told BI that beige walls are the equivalent of an unseasoned meal — flat and boring.

"I've seen a lot of spaces drenched in neutrals, and life is better not completely monochrome," he said. "Instead, you should make sure to layer soft neutrals with complementary tones like warm terracotta, forest green, or deep navy."

You don't need an accent wall.

bedroom with a blue/gray accent wall and wooden features
Accent walls have become quite popular, especially in bedrooms and living rooms. BryanChavezPhotography/Shutterstock

Rafter said single accent walls are past their prime.

"Instead of isolating one wall, one can envelop the entire room in a bold paint color or textured wallpaper," she said.

For an added layer of depth, the designer suggested carrying the finish across the ceiling to create a cohesive and immersive space that feels intentional and impactful.

People are overdoing it with the open shelving.

open wooden shelves filled with dishware and other kitchen supplies
Open shelving can look messy and be hard to clean properly. Cavan-Images/Shutterstock

Lund told BI that open shelving can look great in moderation. However, the trend of replacing all upper kitchen cabinets with open shelves has proven impractical and needs to be scaled back.

"It requires constant maintenance and organization to look good, and it exposes dishes to dust and grime," she said. "A more balanced approach would be to use a mix of closed cabinets and some open shelving for display."

Read the original article on Business Insider