30 OUTDATED HOME TRENDS THAT WE HOPE NEVER COME BACK

They made a splash in the 70s to 2000s, but that's exactly where these trends can stay.

 

FAST FURNITURE

You've probably heard of "fast fashion," which refers to clothing that is a factory-made, much cheaper version of what's currently on the runway. The equivalent in home decor is "fast furniture," which is an inexpensive design that you essentially buy knowing that you'll toss it in a few seasons...or the next time you move. These easy-to-assemble (and even easier to afford) designs really blew up in the mid-1980s and have been going strong since.

Although it can be a great way to save money, there's a reason that antiquing and repurposing old furniture has been having a major moment. Recycling and reusing existing decor allows you to reduce waste and also collect pieces that are special and have their own story.

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NAUTICAL MOTIFS

Anchors, sailor's rope, and seashells belong on the actual beach, not in your living room. Even if you own an oceanside home, ditch the cheesy nautical decor—you can achieve beachy vibes without being too obvious. Pick a color palette inspired by your beautiful surroundings, or include subtle decor elements like coral and driftwood.

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NAUTICAL MOTIFS

Anchors, sailor's rope, and seashells belong on the actual beach, not in your living room. Even if you own an oceanside home, ditch the cheesy nautical decor—you can achieve beachy vibes without being too obvious. Pick a color palette inspired by your beautiful surroundings, or include subtle decor elements like coral and driftwood.

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EDISON BULBS

Every hip coffee shop from Brooklyn to Portland has these antique-style lights hanging from the ceiling, and we're over it. The "exposed" lighting look belongs, well, back when Thomas Edison came up with the original design.

Thankfully, glitzy statement lighting is having a major comeback, and honestly, we'd choose a chandelier over one of these dinky little bulbs any day. Harsh lighting is officially out.

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TUFTED HEADBOARDS

Tufted furniture is centuries old, but it no longer has the glam feel it once did. Now, it just looks a little stuffy—and if you want a statement headboard, why not commit to something that actually makes a statement (instead of blending in with your mattress)?

TUSCAN KITCHENS

This style was everywhere in the early 2000s, and we can certainly see its appeal. Today's kitchens, however, focus on creating a light, airy place to cook, rather than emulating a dark Italian villa.

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DAMASK

Is it a floral? Is it chintz? No, it's damask, which was a pattern found on everything from wallpaper to curtains in the 90s. If you still have this in your home, try an update of large, statement blooms instead.

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WALLPAPER BORDERS

Whether it runs through the middle of a nursery as it does here, or trims the top of your wall, this trend should stop short anytime after the 90s. Try one of these fashionable (and super fun) wallpaper trends instead.

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MATCHING WINDOW VALANCES

When the window valances match the curtains, and those match the furniture, you know you've arrived in a decade past. Swap boxy for elegant with updated, modern curtains.

MASON JAR MANIA

Admittedly, this may still be a trend. Since the 90s, mason jars have been heralded as the answer to all home needs: candle holders, salad containers, soap dispensers—the list goes on. Now, however, a new appreciation is blossoming for artisan goods like hand-crafted vases, meaning mason jars can go back to their original job of canning preserves.

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WICKER FURNITURE

Yes, this will forever be an anchor for your poolside patio. But saturating your interiors with wicker furniture as the world did in the 80s and 90s is no longer necessary. Play with color by investing in a bright sofa instead.

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DUSTY PASTELS

In the 80s, all pastels were dusty blue or dusty pink—giving them that perpetual just-not-quite-clean look. Today, colors are more decisive (like in this London townhouse), and we're thankful.

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HOLLYWOOD MIRROR LIGHTS

Yes, you're a star. But that doesn't mean you need to be blinded by this 90s trend every morning. Bathroom lighting today is softer and more delicate than these harsh bulbs.

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AVOCADO GREEN AND HARVEST GOLD

These two calm colors were staples of the 70s as the country recovered from the Vietnam War. Now, however, the color combo can come off as drab and, naturally, outdated.

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GRANITE OVERLOAD

In the early 2000s, we witnessed a single-material overload, often appearing in the mass application of dark granite in kitchens. Today, accents tend to be more effective, and a minimalist modern aesthetic with lighter materials is often preferred.

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FERNS EVERYWHERE

It's a beautiful plant, but you don't need one in every room. In the 90s and 2000s these plants took over homes, but there's no need to make your living room look like a greenhouse.

 

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PLAID

Oh, the 70s. We certainly don't miss this look, which made you feel like you were in a plaid kaleidoscope. As with many other items on this list, sticking to small doses is key.

 

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PINE FURNITURE

Don't get us wrong, an occasional pine accent is fine and dandy. But in the 80s and 90s, it was just about everywhere, from bookshelves to dressers to chests.

 

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AVOCADO FRIDGE

Continuing the avocado green and harvest gold theme, refrigerators in the 1970s seemingly reflected what was inside them—avocados. It's a fun concept, but its charm is preserved in that decade.

 

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VERTICAL BLINDS

Not only are these, well, annoying to open and close, but they're also a relic of the past. Invest in beautiful curtains for an eye-catching element in the room.

 

 

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BEAN BAG CHAIRS

Oh, hello 90s. Though this may have been a handy chair to eat a slice of pizza in between college courses, it should never leave a dorm room. Still, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort: Try one of these cozy reading chairs instead.

 

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GIANT SILK PLANTS

Many a fond pastime was formed in Michael's aisles, picking out silk flowers and branches when this 90s trend was in full force. But now, there's a much higher appreciation placed on real bouquet flowers—besides, they have so many health benefits!

 

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SPONGE WALLS

Homeowners in the 90s started getting crafty, but unfortunately, that often meant swapping carefully painted walls for, er, sponge painting. Though it created "texture," we can't help but appreciate today's chic, bold and sponge-free look instead.

 

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GLASS BLOCKS

In years past, glass blocks were used to let light shine into a shower area without sacrificing privacy. Now, however, they may come off as dated. Homes today are more likely to use creative glass designs or a skylight to offer privacy.

 

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POPCORN CEILING

Oh, popcorn ceilings. Shall we agree that the only place popcorn belongs is buttered and in the movie theatre? Instead, consider painting your ceiling in a striking hue.

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RUFFLED BEDSKIRTS

Granted, just about everything in the 80s was ruffled, from curtains to skirts. But the ruffled bedskirts? That's true turn-of-the-century fashion. Now, beds tend to opt for minimalist, chic bedskirts — or none at all.

 

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FAKE FRUIT

Although there was something satisfying about pinching those rubber grapes throughout the 90s, the dust that collected on them wasn't as fun. Faux has been traded for fresh with the growing popularity of eating green and shopping local farmer's markets.

 

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HEAVY HEADBOARDS

While headboards of the past were heavy wood giants, today, they're often more minimalist or don't exist at all. (Canopies, on the other hand, reign as an evergreen decor staple.)

 

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FLORAL EVERYTHING

The 80s loved florals, and that meant putting the pattern on just about everything. In modern design, florals are more thoughtfully used as accent patterns.

 

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LACE TABLECLOTHS

Often, these traditional tablecloths were placed over plastic to protect furniture. While in small doses they may still work in a room, in most cases, they tend to be outdated compared to more modern, colorful tablecloths of today.

 

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LACE DOILIES

While we're on the subject of lace, just ditch the lace doilies, too. Especially when paired with a floral tablecloth, they simply read "too much."

 

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