Interior design moves fast—and what once felt fresh and modern can start feeling tired almost overnight. If you’re in your 30s or 40s, you’re probably thinking differently about your home than you did a decade ago: you want beauty, but you also want function and comfort. Whether you’re upgrading your forever home, styling a new build, or just itching for a refresh, knowing which trends are on their way out (and what to replace them with) will help you create a space that feels elevated and timeless in 2025—and beyond. Let’s talk about the Top 10 Outdated Trends you can confidently retire—and what to embrace instead.

1. All-Gray Everything

There was a time when gray was the ultimate neutral. From walls to flooring to furniture, gray became the default choice for anyone chasing a modern, polished look. But as we step into 2025, the endless sea of flat gray feels cold, lifeless, and uninspired.

Why It’s Out: Gray lacks the emotional warmth people are craving in their homes. After years of uncertainty and stress, we now desire spaces that feel cozy, welcoming, and full of life—not clinical or washed out.

What to Try Instead: Warmer neutrals like greige (gray-beige!), mushroom beige, creamy whites, and soft clay tones are replacing flat, cool gray tones. Earthy colors and natural textures help ground the home emotionally.

Practical Example: If you have a gray-on-gray living room, repaint the walls a creamy alabaster and layer in a beige linen sectional, textured wool rugs, and oak wood accents.  These layers help balance warmth and cool and add plenty of texture to create a balanced feel.  In a modern condo, trade a gray dining set for a warm wood table paired with muted upholstered chairs in caramel or stone hues.

2. Open Concept Everything

Open-concept living was once the gold standard. But endless wide-open rooms often sacrifice intimacy, warmth, and functionality.

Why It’s Out: As families spend more time at home, distinct spaces for work, relaxation, and dining have become more desirable. Sound privacy and visual organization matter more now.

What to Try Instead: I understand there is practicality for the open concept movement, especially in smaller floor plans.  However, semi-open plans that define areas subtly without closing them off entirely is the way to go. Strategic furniture placement, partial room dividers, built-in bookcases, or archways can create separation.

Practical Example: In a ranch-style home, instead of demolishing all the walls, consider creating a large cased opening between the kitchen and dining room. In a new build, use a double-sided fireplace or pony wall to divide living and dining spaces while maintaining light flow.

3. Excessive Minimalism

Minimalism taught us that less can be more—but taken to an extreme, it can feel barren and sterile.

Why It’s Out: Homeowners want calming spaces, but they also want character, soul, and a sense of “home.” A space stripped of personality doesn’t nourish the people living in it.

What to Try Instead: Embrace Soft Minimalism, which combines clean lines with cozy layers. Incorporate curated pieces that have personal or emotional significance.

Practical Example: In a Scandinavian-inspired apartment, layer a simple linen sofa with woven baskets, textured area rugs, a chunky knit throw, and handmade pottery on open shelves. In a contemporary home, add dimension to a minimalist white kitchen by mixing natural stone countertops with matte black hardware and rich wood bar stools.  And don’t forget to add those keepsakes here and there that spark joy and help tell your story!

4. Faux Farmhouse Overload

At its best, farmhouse style is warm and grounded. But mass-market versions turned it into an assembly line of shiplap, barn doors, and rustic signs.

Why It’s Out: True farmhouse style is authentic and lived-in, not themed or overly staged.

What to Try Instead: Shift toward a Modern Organic or European Farmhouse aesthetic that emphasizes natural materials, subtle textures, and genuine vintage pieces.

Practical Example: In a suburban home, swap your industrial barn door for a traditional French door painted in muted sage. Remove faux shiplap panels and instead invest in natural limewashed walls. In a farmhouse kitchen, replace mass-produced faux antiques with real vintage cutting boards and hand-thrown ceramics displayed casually on open shelving.

5. Overly Industrial Design

Industrial design was beloved for its urban, edgy vibe—but when every surface feels cold and unfinished, it loses its appeal.

Why It’s Out: Residential spaces need warmth, softness, and a sense of comfort that heavy industrialism lacks.

What to Try Instead: Mix industrial elements sparingly with natural textures and cozy finishes.

Practical Example: In a loft space, leave exposed brick and beams but bring in a velvet sectional, layered natural fiber rugs, and brass accent lighting. In a suburban new build, replace harsh black metal lighting with fixtures that blend black with warm wood or soft brass finishes for a gentler industrial touch.

6. Fast Furniture That Falls Apart

Fast furniture might be convenient, but it’s wasteful and disappointing in the long run.

Why It’s Out: Sustainability and quality have become core values for homeowners who expect their investments to last.

What to Try Instead: Invest in fewer, better pieces that offer longevity and character.

Practical Example: Instead of buying a mass-produced coffee table, hunt down a vintage one made of solid wood and refinish it if needed. In your bedroom, upgrade to a real wood bed frame with timeless styling instead of a trendy upholstered headboard that will date quickly.  Resist the impulse to fill that hole in your design with a a trip to Ikea and instead check out places like Facebook Marketplace.

7. Mass-Produced Wall Art Sets

Once a quick fix for blank walls, mass-produced art now feels generic and soulless.

Why It’s Out: Spaces deserve art that sparks joy, nostalgia, or conversation—not cookie-cutter prints.

What to Try Instead: Choose art that has personal resonance. Support small artists, print your travel photography, or incorporate one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.

Practical Example: In a coastal home, create a gallery wall with framed sea-themed sketches you found at a flea market combined with personal beach photos. In a traditional home, hang a large vintage oil painting above the fireplace rather than a factory-made abstract canvas.

8. Matching Furniture Sets

Buying furniture as a matching set was once considered a smart shortcut to “finished” rooms. Today, it reads as bland and unimaginative.

Why It’s Out: Personality and curation trump coordination.

What to Try Instead: Mix materials, styles, and shapes for a collected-over-time look.

Practical Example: In a transitional living room, pair a plush linen sofa with a mid-century walnut armchair and a rustic coffee table. In a modern bedroom, skip the matching dresser and nightstands—instead, pair a sleek low dresser with a vintage trunk used as a nightstand for character.

9. Overly Themed Rooms

Literal decorating themes feel cartoonish and make it harder to evolve your space naturally.

Why It’s Out: Themed decor quickly feels dated and doesn’t leave room for growth.

What to Try Instead: Capture a feeling or lifestyle rather than a theme.

Practical Example: In a beachside condo, instead of seashell prints and anchor pillows, use natural elements like linen slipcovers, driftwood accents, sandy-toned rugs, and large-scale abstract ocean photography. In a mountain home, avoid antler chandeliers and instead opt for warm woods, plaid textiles, and soft leather chairs that evoke cabin life without gimmicks.

10. Ultra Dark and Moody Everything

Dark, saturated colors can be beautiful—but overdoing them creates oppressive, light-draining spaces.

Why It’s Out: Excessive darkness can make homes feel smaller, less joyful, and less livable.

What to Try Instead: Introduce moody colors in moderation and balance them with light and texture.

Practical Example: Instead of painting an entire bedroom black, paint just the headboard wall in deep navy or charcoal and leave the other walls a warm white. Layer the space with linen bedding, woven baskets, and light oak nightstands to keep it feeling open yet cocooned. In a moody dining room, balance a rich olive green paint with a large mirror, creamy drapery, and lots of warm wood furniture to avoid a heavy feel.

Create a Home That Grows With You

The best thing you can do when approaching design in your 30s and 40s is to design for your future self. Choose warmth. Choose quality. Choose meaning. Because while trends come and go, a home full of thoughtfully chosen pieces, meaningful colors, and layered textures will always feel like the right choice.

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Any New Decor in 2025

With so many trends, styles, and tempting online carts, it’s easy to impulse-buy pieces that feel exciting in the moment—but end up collecting dust or looking dated six months later. Before you invest in new furniture, art, or accessories, pause and ask yourself these five questions. They can save you money, reduce clutter, and help you create a home you truly love.

1. Will I Still Love This in Five Years?

Trendy items can be fun, but ask yourself honestly: if this style fades, will I still enjoy looking at it every day? Timeless design doesn’t mean boring—it means surrounding yourself with pieces that have lasting emotional or aesthetic value.

Tip: If the answer is “maybe,” see if you can incorporate the trend in a small, reversible way like a throw pillow or vase instead of an expensive sofa or light fixture.

2. Does It Fit the Overall Mood or Story of My Home?

Every piece you bring into your home should contribute to the overall feeling you want—whether that’s cozy, elegant, vibrant, or serene. Items that don’t support your home’s “story” can feel visually jarring or make decorating harder in the long run.

Tip: Create a simple mood board for your home style. Before buying, mentally check if the new item fits in or clashes.

3. Is It High Quality (or Can It Grow With Me)?

Think beyond the immediate use. Will the material hold up over time? Is the craftsmanship solid? Could this piece transition into a new home or new phase of life? Good design is not only about how something looks but how it endures.

Tip: When possible, touch it, sit on it, or feel the material in person—or read detailed reviews if shopping online.  I know this is easier said than done these days as most retailers are primarily online, so always request samples if available, and look into return policies.

4. Can I Style It in More Than One Way?

Versatility is the secret weapon of good design. A great piece should be flexible: a side table today, a nightstand tomorrow. A woven basket in the living room could become stylish storage in a bathroom down the line.

Tip: Before buying, imagine at least two different rooms or settings where you could see this piece fitting naturally.

5. Am I Buying This for Me—or Just Because It’s Trending?

It’s easy to get swept up in what’s popular, but your home should reflect your unique taste, lifestyle, and personality. Trends should inspire, not dictate, your choices.

Tip: If you saw the item without any social media hype attached, would you still love it? If yes, it’s probably a worthy addition.

Decorating intentionally isn’t about being perfect—it’s about curating a space that feels like a true extension of you. Every thoughtful piece you add becomes part of a story that will grow richer and more beautiful with time.