6 Home Design Trends to Ditch

The start of a new season always brings change, including what’s considered “in.” Home design experts and novices alike turn to their computers and predict which trends will be the big thing of the year — and which looks are out. Let’s take a look at which design trends we’re so over right now, and what we should replace them with.

Chevron

No surprise to me, chevron has been in our faces since day one, and most of us are exhausted at this point. In fact, some people were calling for an end to chevron patterns as early as 2011, but this trend has just refused to leave.

• Instead of using a chevron pattern in your home design, opt for a true herringbone pattern — or skip the pattern all together and go for a textured rug with a solid design.
• Texture itself is a big theme this year — think items with woven fabric, rich leather or beading.

Whirlpool Tubs

Gone are the days of wasteful and space-consuming whirlpools. Not only can these tubs use up to 100 gallons of water, they also require regular maintenance — not to mention they are huge and take up valuable floor space in your bathroom.

• Tear this costly monstrosity out and use your newly gained floor space for a large shower, or his and hers sinks.
• If you can’t live without a tub, a new soaking tub will allow you to take baths while still saving water.

Instant Vintage

Instant vintage is what happens when you take an item of furniture and try to make it look more aged than it actually is. Unlike your faux furniture, this look is dated. A focus on authenticity should play a big part in your home design this year.

• If you want a vintage look in your home, try to acquire real antique furniture. Check your local antique businesses and thrift stores.
• When getting new furniture isn’t an option, throw a coat of paint on what you already own. Covering up any fake aging with a fresh color will bring your pieces into the new year.

Mirrored Furniture

While mirrored furniture once made your room look more spacious, it now makes your room look more like a disco. Ditch this dated look in favor of one that’s more natural — handcrafted wood furniture. Mirrored and metallic furniture used to be an easy way to add a bit of glam and shine to your space, but that look is so overdone now.

• Update your home design by using a mix of handcrafted wood furniture and metal furnishings. You want them to complement each other without matching perfectly. Looks that are too put together and perfect are out — you want some pieces to stand out and make a statement.

Kitchen Desks

While it used to make perfectly good sense to have a desk where your landline was, that time has long since passed. These days almost everyone has a cell phone, and home phones are becoming a thing of the past.

• Getting rid of your obsolete kitchen desk will clear up valuable space that you can use for more seating or storage. If you’re like me and you have enough books to have your own small library, consider putting in some new shelving to hold your collection.
• Use your newly gained space in a way that actually suits your current lifestyle — add a charging station for the electronics you need throughout the day.

Taxidermy

I can feel unrest stirring in the southern states about this so-over trend. While this trend is on its way out, I don’t think it’ll be gone as quickly as some of us would hope — I don’t see my neighbors ditching their deer heads any time soon.

• Replace your taxidermy with something that’s timeless for a reason that has nothing to do with chemicals — intricate wall hangings. Tapestries or wooden carvings are a great way to put some flair on your wall that isn’t made from a dead animal.
• If you want to stick with the animal theme, try updating your look with paintings or prints of animals, but skip the birds — those are out too.

While most of us are ready to move past these outdated trends, not everyone is ready to let go. When you really get down to it, your home should be what you want it to be.

Home decor is very much a personal preference and while we can be guided in the “right” direction, ultimately the right choices for you are the ones you love. Mixing and matching new trends with the old might leave you pleasantly surprised with how much you enjoy these new looks — don’t be afraid to try something new.