Interior trends come and go, and they are changing faster than ever before. Professional designers are constantly striving to distinguish their style with bold and distinctive looks, but this is not always appealing or practical for the general public. This dichotomy reveals an intriguing tension between professional designers and the style that ordinary people prefer.
Most people prefer a practical yet beautiful style that will last for years over trends that come and go. Designers frequently regard these trends as relics of the past, and they strive to distance their work from them in order to establish fresh and contemporary aesthetics.
The constant struggle that homeowners and designers have to maintain between doing what they love and staying current is symbolized by this conflict, and these groups may come to differing conclusions about each subject in the end.
Outdated Interior Trends That Designers Dislike But People Love
Although a lot of people say they do not follow interior design trends, we are all impacted by them in some way. The key to creating a long-lasting interior design is to build a home with styles that you enjoy, regardless of what any professional says.
Gallery Walls
Despite designers’ preferences for a cleaner aesthetic, gallery walls with their eclectic mix of vintage finds, personal photographs, and modern art continue to be popular with homeowners. Designers are increasingly favoring large-scale prints, oversized paintings, and groupings of similar pieces.
People appreciate the personal touch that gallery walls add to their space. The versatility of gallery walls, which range from symmetrical to haphazard displays, makes them a popular element in home decor. They can arrange them for any area and curate them to reflect their personalities and tastes, so this trend is likely to remain popular among the general public.
Luxury Vinyl Planks
Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) continue to captivate the public because they offer the appearance of hardwood flooring while remaining durable and affordable. Many people believe that the difference between LVP and natural flooring is insufficient to justify the higher cost. LVP can very closely resemble the look of hardwood without the high cost and maintenance. Its water-resistant qualities and ease of installation make it an excellent choice for busy households.
Designers will always prefer natural flooring, such as stone or hardwood, over LVP due to its inherent beauty and textural appeal.
Subways Tiles
Subway tiles, with their clean and simple shape and modern appearance, have long been a kitchen and bathroom design staple, to the point where designers have become bored with the look. Designers have begun to use more distinctive and uniquely shaped tiles to differentiate their spaces. They are incorporating tile styles such as zellige and encaustic into their kitchen and bathroom designs.
Most people still love the look and style of subway tile. The tiles complement a variety of styles, from modern to vintage, and their ease of cleaning and low cost make them a practical choice for any space.
Shiplap Paneling
Shiplap paneling, which first gained popularity in farmhouse decor, is still popular among homeowners due to its warm texture and rustic look. According to many designers, shiplap has become too commonplace and overdone, making it unappealing to use in new projects.
Modern homeowners still embrace shiplap paneling as a way to add character and a cozy feel to a room. Whether used on an accent wall or throughout the room, shiplap’s versatility and appeal ensure its ongoing popularity in home design.
Accent Walls
Accent walls are an easy way to add color and texture to a room without having to change the entire wall surface. Many designers dislike accent walls because they disrupt the overall visual harmony of the room. They also believe that they make a room appear unfinished because the owner has not fully committed to a particular color.
Despite this assessment by professionals, accent walls remain popular due to the bold statement they make. Accent walls enable personal expression and design experimentation, so whether they are painted a striking color, covered in wallpaper, or enhanced with a textured surface, people will be using them for many years to come.
Barn Doors
Barn doors, with their visible hardware and rustic style, were a popular style trend among homeowners and some designers alike. But because of the oversaturation in the home market and also because of their functional and aesthetic challenges, professional designers are utilizing other alternative door styles.
Barn doors are still popular among homeowners and renovators despite these difficulties because they are simple to install and have a farmhouse appeal that many people find appealing.
Farmhouse Sinks
Farmhouse sinks, also known as apron sinks, are a classic style that has grown in popularity across all circles. Many people enjoy the wide basins’ ability to handle large pots and pans, as well as their nostalgic appeal.
As their popularity has grown, the problems with this type of sink have become more apparent. They are extremely heavy and require a custom countertop design. Farmhouse sinks are also more expensive than other sink types and can be difficult for smaller family members to use. Designers are moving toward sleeker, less noticeable sink options, but farmhouse sinks remain popular among those who prefer a cozy, traditional kitchen look.
Carpet
Carpet was once popular as a way to make your floors more comfortable and warm, as well as a luxurious alternative to hard floors. Carpet is no longer a popular choice among professional designers. Even most homeowners prefer hard floor surfaces in high-traffic areas like living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. However, unlike interior designers who prefer durable floor surfaces in all rooms, many homeowners still prefer carpet in their bedrooms because it is a space where comfort takes precedence over style.
TVs Over the Fireplace
TVs are a non-negotiable element in many living rooms, and the most popular place to put them has become over the fireplace. This is because many fireplaces are centrally located and already serve as a natural focal point in a room. Designers frequently discourage this placement choice for both aesthetic and ergonomic reasons. In spite of professional advice to the contrary, homeowners continue to choose this location for convenience’s sake as well as its neat, uncluttered appearance.
Open Shelves
Open shelves in a kitchen design, as well as storage furniture, provide a functional and visually appealing way to display dishes, decorative items, and household necessities.
Designers advise against using open shelves because the visibility of the items can make a room appear cluttered. They also allow dust and grime to accumulate on the displayed items, making maintenance difficult. However, open shelves are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Homeowners continue to enjoy the convenience and appearance of open shelving, as well as the opportunity to display some of their most treasured possessions.
Word Art
Word art with inspirational quotes remains popular among the general public, despite being considered cliche and kitschy by designers. Homeowners appreciate the personal or motivational messages that these word signs add to their personal spaces. They also reinforce the farmhouse aesthetic that continues to be popular with the public at large.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are frequently overlooked in professional design in favor of sleeker, more distinctive lighting fixtures, but homeowners continue to prefer them due to their practical appeal. Designers frequently argue that ceiling fans disrupt the aesthetic flow of the room, but most people value the relief they provide as well as their contribution to energy efficiency. They provide an energy-efficient way to keep rooms cool in the summer while circulating warm air in the winter.
