While you don’t necessarily need to buy into current home design trends (at least not all the time), there is some value to creating a space that looks and feels appealing to the modern eye. Plus, if you do anticipate selling in the future, it’s a good idea to consider the popular design styles and how you can incorporate them into your space. But what’s popular to one person may not have appeal to another. And, as trends shift begin to shift, it’s clear that not everything that’s well-loved needs to be incorporated into your space. From some of the most overused trends to the downright out-of-style, here are a few popular design styles that designers actually hate.
The All-White Trend
While creating a uniform look in a space may be appealing at first glance, some designers feel that it’s actually the opposite. An all-white room may evoke a cleaner, less cluttered feel, but at the cost of any variation—or, as some designers argue, any real interest. “The all-white trend is awful,” says Andra DelMonico, the contributor for Trendey. “It creates a flat design that’s just boring. Too many people do it wrong, so they skip any natural materials and texture, which results in a room where everything blends together.” Although a white room is bright, too much brightness doesn’t allow for relaxation or the calming feeling that your home may need. Plus, an all-white design is impractical when it comes to any type of accident, mess, children, or pets—which, as DelMonico notes, doesn’t always make sense.
Vessel Sinks
When it comes to bathroom renovations, vessel sinks have become increasingly popular over the years. Vessel sinks are those where the water flows from the faucets directly into a raised basin on a flat countertop. While this is, of course, sophisticated and arguably trendy, some designers just aren’t into it. “Vessel sinks are beautiful to look at but… [not] very user-friendly,” shares Marco Bizzley, Certified Interior Designer at House of Grail. Despite their popularity, Bizzley argues against this investment. “[These sinks] are hard to keep clean, difficult to use, and almost impossible to repair,” he says.
Knockoffs & Replicas
When it comes to designing a space, it’s not unusual for designers and homeowners to want to make some budget-friendly decisions. While this is fine in some situations, other times choosing replicas or budget-friendly options can cheapen the look and may not last. “Designers hate replicas, shares Taha Lamnii, co-founder of Zarabe. “Imitation… [is] a faux pas.” Rather than opting for a rug that isn’t made organically, with real materials (rather than synthetic), or with an authentic process, she suggests investing the time and money into something that will not only last but be meaningful in your space. “At Zarabe we believe that each of our handmade rug has its own story, and so should be all authentic Moroccan rugs. They should be perfect in their imperfections,” she says. “These are products made with passion by artisans that learnt from their parents and grandparents… There isn’t the laser-perfection of a machine print but they’re the perfect passion and care of an artisan who brought to life, knot by knot, a rug that can’t be cloned or will lose the care and passion that made it at first."
The Farmhouse Trend
Farmhouse decor is still very popular, but as practicality has set in, many designers have since turned away. “One of the main things about a farmhouse interior that is not trendy anymore [is] the motivational signs or frames,” says David Mason, owner of The Knobs Company. “Moreover, farmhouse decor includes furniture made of rustic wood, and [while] that might have [been the] aesthetic in the past, nowadays, it has started to look not real.” Nowadays, both homeowners and designers alike are adopting more practical and user-friendly designs, opting for less static motivational quotes, and more down-to-earth planters, workstations, and usable space. It’s less about creating the rustic farmhouse and more about making a home that feels like you.
