All trends come and go, and that’s especially true when it comes to home decor. While some styles get lucky enough to stand the test of time, many others quickly feel outdated and impractical—especially when they cost a fortune.
To help you freshen up your space and avoid wasting any more money, let’s take a look at some common home decor trends that have become both outdated and far too expensive.
Overly Ornate Furniture
Sure, a few decades ago bulky, ornate furniture with intricate carvings and heavy fabrics was once a big sign of elegance and luxury. But today, it usually just feels outdated and clunky, especially when you put it in smaller spaces. Not only are these pieces super pricey, but they also tend to dominate rooms instead of complementing them.
Granite Countertops
It may feel like only yesterday when granite countertops were the gold standard in kitchens, but they’re quickly being replaced by more modern and affordable options like quartz or butcher block. There’s no denying that granite is durable, but it’s also expensive to install and feels overdone in today’s homes.
Tuscan-Inspired Kitchens
As you may remember, Tuscan-style kitchens with dark wood and warm earth tones were all the rage in the early 2000s. However, this style now feels heavy and outdated compared to the bright, airy kitchens we see trending today.
The other problem is that remodeling these elaborate spaces is costly and rarely worth the time and money.
Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
It might be hard to imagine today, but wall-to-wall carpeting was once considered a luxury. Now, it’s easy to see how much it has fallen out of favor in modern homes. Not only is it expensive to install and maintain, but it’s also known for trapping dust, staining easily, and wearing down quickly.
Oversized Bathtubs
If you love a long soak in the tub, you might’ve been tempted by those large, jetted bathtubs. But while these were once a symbol of relaxation and wealth, they’re increasingly being seen as impractical. After all, they do take up a lot of space, need a lot of water, and they can be shockingly expensive to install.
Shiplap Walls
Thanks to farmhouse trends and DIY shows, shiplap walls could be found in many homes a few years ago. While they were charming at first, the look now feels overdone and dated to most people. Plus the cost of materials and installation can really add up quickly.
Heavy Drapes and Valances
Back in the good old days, elaborate window treatments like heavy drapes and valances were seen as must-haves for formal rooms. And yet today, they typically just come off as outdated and overly fussy. Not to mention, they can cost a small fortune to buy and clean.
Open Shelving in Kitchens
Open shelving is still relatively popular for showcasing dishes and decor, but the problem is that it often creates more stress than style. Anyone who’s owned these shelves will know that keeping them neat and clutter-free is a real challenge, and the cost of high-end shelving systems can be really high.
Faux Finishes
Faux finishes like sponge painting and textured plaster were once thought of as a creative upgrade for walls. Today, though, these techniques are more likely to feel outdated and annoyingly expensive to maintain or remove. The good news is that a simple coat of paint in a neutral or bold color looks far more modern and costs much less.
Excessive Marble
If you’ve been around for a while, you’ll know that marble has long been a symbol of luxury. However, going overboard with it—like marble floors, walls, and counters—can easily feel overwhelming and cold. It’s also extremely costly to install and prone to those annoying scratches and stains.
Bold Accent Walls
No one can deny that accent walls painted in bright or bold colors add personality to a room, but it might not be the kind of personality you want around anymore. A lot of people now think that they make spaces feel tacky, unbalanced, and visually overpowering.
Oversized Chandeliers
Yes, grand chandeliers with ornate crystals certainly look bold and dramatic, but they’re costly, hard to maintain, and often feel weirdly out of place in modern homes. Today’s trends are more in favor of understated pendant lighting or sleek, minimal fixtures that are both cheaper and more versatile.
Matching Furniture Sets
Not long ago, a lot of people bought entire matching bedroom or living room sets for an easy way to create a well-coordinated home. But now, this look feels dated and overly staged to most. These sets can also be surprisingly pricey and lack a sense of charm or character.
Barn Doors
A few decades back, sliding barn doors became a go-to feature for adding farmhouse charm to homes, but they’re really starting to feel overused. Installing them can be expensive, especially when custom hardware is involved. They can also be pretty noisy and let through a lot of sound.
Massive Entertainment Centers
If you’re a ‘90s kid, you might remember the time when huge entertainment centers housing bulky TVs and stacks of DVDs were all the rage. And yet now, they’re seen as nothing more than outdated space-hoggers. With today’s slim TVs and digital streaming services, mounting your TV on the wall or using a minimal media console is far more practical and budget-friendly.
Glass-Top Dining Tables
Glass-top dining tables were once seen as a popular and stylish choice for their sleek and elegant look, but they can also be very costly and high maintenance. They show every fingerprint, smudge, and scratch, making them especially impractical for busy households.