It's Time to Move on From These Outdated Décor Trends

While we love the idea of a timeless space, the ever-changing landscape of home décor makes achieving a classic home look challenging. One day everything is covered in bold pink marble, and then the next it's all about minimalist décor. While we don't subscribe to every trend, we do enjoy experimenting with them, so we tapped four interior designers to find out exactly what's in (and what's out) right now.

Ahead, designers Katharine Pooley, Vanessa Alexander, Anne Hepfer, and Sasha Bikoff all weigh in on the outdated décor trends of 2018 and what they'd replace them with. From modern glam looks to bright colors and metallic accents, here are all the trends you need to know about. If you're ready to get ahead of the trends, take note of these passing fads and learn how to upgrade your space for the new year ahead. While you're at it, shop a few products to help you get the look right now. 

The Outdated Trend: West Coast Minimalism

"There's a way to establish a clean design aesthetic without sacrificing color nor pattern," says Bikoff. "The 'all-white' bare space never feels like a home in which people actually live, which hurts the aesthetic greatly."

The Replacement: Modern Glam

"Color and pattern add such a charismatic look and a sense of warmth that beats minimalism every time," according to Bikoff. Experiment with patterns and textures like those found in this clean yet dynamic living room.

The Outdated Trend: Lack of Color and Texture

"I love a white moment or white walls but hate a strictly colorless palette. Even in white rooms, not all shades of white need to be the same, and layering textures is very important," says Alexander.

The Replacement: Mix of Color and Style

"I love creating reflective moments with lighting, mirrors, and a few key pieces of art where I add in color," Alexander says. She also recommends mixing metals, aged brass, or patinated steel and shades of black and brown.

The Outdated Trend: Industrial Kitchen

"No matter how luxurious the brand, I don't think refrigerators, ovens, or dishwashers look chic in a kitchen, so I prefer to conceal them as best as possible," says Hepfer. "The industrial look—the only aesthetic in which exposed appliances really do look good—is on its way out."

The Replacement: Clean and Modern

"I prefer to have as little machinery as I can get away with in a kitchen to keep the aesthetic of the space clean," she says. For a polished look, search for ways to keep major appliances camouflaged as much as possible.

The Outdated Trend: Accent Walls

"The trend of a single wall in a jazzy 'wow factor' wallpaper seems tired to me," says Pooley. "This unfortunate trend sometimes gives the impression that the budget did not quite stretch for the full desired effect."

The Replacement: Texture Wall

Instead of a loud wallpaper, try out a textured element. "I prefer to incorporate a polished plaster or more subtle textured wallpaper (like silk or grass cloth), as it adds interest and texture subtly," she says.

The Outdated Trend: Color Pops

"White-washed spaces with pops of bright colors is definitely an outdated look that needs a break," says Bikoff. "It's been done so many times in so many ways that there is truly no other way to try to make this look fresh and different."

The Replacement: Bright Colors

Instead of simply introducing small pops of colorful décor into an otherwise muted space, invite color (and lots of it) into all aspects of a space. Combine bright colors and prints to create this fun, lively look.

The Outdated Trend: Midcentury Modern

Many would argue that this trend is here to stay, but Alexander has other opinions. "I adore midcentury architecture but think the trend went a little overboard recently," she states.

The Replacement: Variety

"I like to employ a blend of contemporary, custom/bespoke, and vintage pieces from a variety of periods—creating a layered feel that is rich in texture and influence yet functional and effortless," Alexander says.

The Outdated Trend: Rose Gold

This metallic accent is everywhere, but Hepfer believes its time will be up soon. "The pink undertone makes it a bit more difficult to coordinate with the rest of the room, especially if there is already a bold use of color present," she explains.

The Replacement: Metallic Accents

"I like to accent a room with metallics because I think they bring a contemporary and glamorous feel to the space," says Hepfer. Go for timeless materials like gold and silver to achieve this look.

The Outdated Trend: Beige Minimalism

"The 'sea of beige' of minimalist interior design a decade ago created some very unattractive interiors," according to Pooley. "They were just so plain."

The Replacement: Color and Mixed Metallics

Trade in subdued beige for a tasteful blend of colors and materials. "I much prefer the trend that clients are now embracing: incorporating color in all hues. It is so much more joyful. My projects tend to incorporate a lot of colors mixed with metallics and natural textures," Pooley says.

The Outdated Trend: Farmhouse Chic

According to Bikoff, the farmhouse-chic trend is "as overdone as Edison bulbs." The style gained popularity so quickly that it couldn't possibly last. In addition, Bikoff points out that the look often feels out of place. "Walking into a farmhouse-inspired apartment in the middle of a bustling city just doesn't seem to work," she says.

The Replacement: Bring the Outdoors In

Bikoff is ready to ditch the farmhouse-chic look, but you can give this trend a refresh by incorporating wooden, rustic elements indoors. Look to this simplistic white kitchen for inspiration.

The Outdated Trend: Ultraviolet

While ultraviolet was named Pantone's color of the year, Hepfer thinks it's best to avoid this shade of purple. She says that the color is "so bright and so specific that homeowners would get sick of it quickly."

The Replacement: Turquoise and Yellow

If you want to introduce color into your home but don't want to hop on the ultraviolet bandwagon, give shades of turquoise and yellow a try. It's a unique color combination that looks fresh and lively when done tastefully.

The Outdated Trend: Traditional

"When I was younger I felt like there was a major trend toward traditional art and design—dark woods and colors with lots of frills," explains Alexander. However, she thinks this trend is better left in the past.

The Replacement: Open Floor Plan

"In recent years, people started to yearn for and embrace open floor plans, edited palettes, mixing styles, and periods which to me is really the meaning of modern," she says. If you have enough space, resist the urge to decorate and fill every square foot of it in order to achieve this look.

The Outdated Trend: Repetitive Design

While it's easy to rely on the same colors and patterns throughout a space, these repetitive designs can feel tired. "It is always very important to create unique and personal designs," says Pooley.

The Replacement: Personalized Accessories and Artwork

Proudly display personal items like books, art, and sculptures to give your home a bit of personality. "Limited-edition pieces make each space unique and the accessories showcase personality to keep things exciting," Pooley notes.