Like our clothes, our home is where we express our taste. Within the walls where we eat, laugh, cry, work, nurture, grow and sleep is a space that belongs entirely to us. We can design it however we like: Move furniture around. Color the walls. Hang wild art and display mementos. As I see it, the only duty when decorating the house is that we have to comply what we really love– even if that means relying on or avoiding any outdated home decor trends for 2022.
Yes, there is a crutch: Here We decorative elements in their own way. Ask any interior designer “what do you look like?” and they’ll probably pause and say something like, “I’m so glad I never saw [fill in the blank] in one living room Again.”
It makes sense, as we often change and calculate what we wear to match the latest sartorial breeze. Our homes can also fall into increasingly difficult situations. But what exactly are those traps? I asked three design experts to review their top outdated decor trends for 2022. While some of their answers surprised me, they all excited me instead. change, paintand even donate a few things.
But like any “rules,” these rules are meant to be broken. Take from here what tells you and leave the rest. It’s your home. Unfortunately, I still pair my skinny jeans with all the “wrong” shoes — and I love it.
Feature image allowed by Liana Levi.
Outdated trend #1: Fast furniture
Here’s a sobering fact: The EPA estimates that Americans have generated more 12 million tons of furniture waste in 2018 (the most recent year reported), nearly 10 million tons of which went to landfill. That’s reason enough to live with less. And it’s an inspiration to rethink mass-produced, poor-quality furniture items, believe Interior designer Liz Lipkin. We’ll probably be getting rid of the quick and fast patches in a few years, she says, “because they don’t hold their place or they’ve become obsolete.”
Consider Swap for: Vintage
Image courtesy of Hayley Pannekoecke by Kip & Co.
Next time you’re contemplating that super-cheap coffee table, give it a try. Lipkin suggested going shop for antiques and antiques. “In addition to being more characterful and more enjoyable to shop for, antique furniture is built to last. Buying second hand saves money in the long run and reduces your environmental impact.” This is a win-win for both parties.
Outdated trend #2: All-white kitchens
There’s an undeniable freshness to an all-white space. Clean and neutral, it’s a color palette that complements any and all decor inclusions. Lyndsey Scott and Wendy Robinson, co-founders and principals of How We Haven. Scott believes that “an all-white kitchen can feel very sterile and flat. “There is little diversity and personality gaps, they lack the ability to evoke inspiring emotions.”
Consider Swapping for: Mixing sounds
photo taken by Danae Horst.
How to fix? Let the rainbow shine in this room. The same goes for different materials and finishes. “Right now, we’re seeing a lot mixed kitchen,” Robinson told me. “The mix of white and colored cabinets with wooden islands creates more interest with textures and colors.”
Outdated Trend #3: Shiplap
There was a time when I glued burlap to every wall. The interface is textured, inviting and warm. Of course, it is still the same, however more modern options guarantee the appearance of today. Scott and Robinson said: “Shiplap is overdue. It’s in too many places and too many surfaces.
Consider Swapping for: Straight line
photo taken by Nikole Ramsay.
For a current and fresh vibe, Scott and Robinson Believe that you don’t have to completely leave shiplap. Flip it – literally. Install it vertically. Doing so will bring the eye up, creating a sense of larger space. The design duo also recommend trying a slate wall as another way to create more depth.
Outdated Trend #4: Signs
I like a good reminder. Something that marks where I am or promotes how I feel. (You know that affirmation is like putting lipstick on a mirror? It’s still a winner, in my book.) But hanging certain phrases in the house requires a rethink, Scott and Robinson say. “You don’t need a sign to say you’re in the kitchen or the bathroom,” pleads Scott, who believes all the decor on the farm is gently fading.
Consider Swapping for: European farm aesthetic
Photo courtesy of Las Perellis.
Now, this is not to be confused with the more global rustic look. According to Robinson, European farmhouse style, which features vintage furniture, lacquered tables, functional pieces and lots of books, is “trending right now”.
Outdated trend #5: Accent walls
Is it uncommitted? Partial repair? A quick dose of decorative hobby? Whatever the accent wall is to you, Lipkin says it’s time to “put it behind our backs”. That’s right. Designers believe that restricting a beautiful color to one dimension limits its potential and has been for a long time.
Consider Swapping for: Color every wall
Molly Winters’s photo.
If you tend to only wash one wall in one color, consider all the other walls. “It’s time to level up and give the audience the attention it deserves,” Lipkin said. Painting an entire room completely transforms the look, feel and overall vibe of a space. Wallpaper too, continues Lipkin. “If you love it, put it freely on all four walls.”
Are you ready to leave the decorating trends in the past?
