Who can forget the pervasive Tuscan style of the early 2000s? Its distinctive charm was so widespread that it’s still associated with that era today. As we navigate the midpoint of the 2020s, we’re witnessing a similar shift with the trends of the 2010s. From rustic farmhouse finds to the greige and gray palette, four design experts weigh in on the trends that have outlived their welcome.
Melanie Bryant, the visionary behind Melanie Bryant Interiors in Jackson, Mississippi, is among those who agree: Gray, particularly the cool variety, needs to make way. As Bryant notes, “It loses its allure quickly—what resonates with people is warmth, texture, and the layers that make a home feel welcoming.”
Elizabeth Burch, the owner and lead designer at Elizabeth Burch Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee, suggests replacing gray with a warm white, favoring Greek Villa by Sherwin-Williams. She advocates for incorporating playful trims or wallpaper to infuse a space with character.
While the farmhouse trend popularized by Chip and Jo may be a favorite, it’s no longer fitting. It swept through homes in the 2010s, complete with barn doors, vintage signs, and neutral palettes. Yet, Julie Dodson Webster, the founder and creative director of Dodson Interiors in Houston, Texas, advises against a complete overhaul. Instead, Webster emphasizes the importance of allowing spaces to evolve naturally, developing their unique identity over time.
Webster also suggests replacing art featuring mundane phrases with more vibrant pieces, such as abstracts or landscapes. Even with prints, these choices can offer a fresh perspective and visual intrigue.
Bryant highlights that the issue isn’t the aesthetic itself but the overuse of certain styles, such as mid-century modern wall-to-wall, which can feel incongruous in a variety of homes. However, incorporating a few pieces can still add a touch of personality.
Standard furniture sets from big-box stores or catalogs may be practical, but they often lack the distinctive flair needed to create a collected and dynamic space. Webster advises blending antiques and vintage finds to add depth and character.
White-on-white kitchens can be alluring for their cleanliness and simplicity, but they can also come off as sterile. Rachel Peck, the design principal at Rachel Peck Interiors in Austin, Texas, encourages boldness in design, urging clients to embrace what they love fully.
Peck warns that greige vinyl plank flooring can date a space and lacks the warmth and versatility of a mid-tone hardwood. For those preferring a lighter option, pale oak is a more personable choice.
