5 Viral Decor Trends Everyone Tried — and Designers Secretly Hated
As a certifiable interiors enthusiast, I could spend hours scrolling through home design accounts on social media. Sometimes, I think I’ve seen it all — and while part of my job is tracking the trends, there are definitely a few I’m growing tired of seeing.
As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to know which popular home design styles have been truly overdone at this point. So I turned to leading interior designers to weigh in on the viral design trends they are tired of seeing in their feeds. If you have or still love any of the trends below, don’t worry — it’s not so much that any of these things are wrong, per se, just that they don’t feel fresh anymore. Here’s what the experts had to say.
Farewell to Open Floor Plans
The open-concept layout, a primary feature of modern homes, is continuing to face pushback from designers who value privacy, defined function, and acoustic separation. “Homes with open-concept layouts are loud, hard to furnish, and leave little room for real design moments — every element has to coordinate instead of letting each room have its own personality,” says Cathryn Erickson, interior designer and founder of Cathryn Lindsey Design.
“More walls also mean more opportunities to anchor storage, artwork, or statement furniture,” Erickson adds. “After living in an open concept myself, my biggest frustration was hosting: No one wants to pour a glass of wine with a pile of dirty dishes in full view.”
“Sad Beige” Color Palettes
Another trend that designers are voting off the island is the monochromatic beige approach. Once viewed as soothing, designers agree that this trend really feels impersonal and lacking in soul.
“Personally, I can’t wait for the end of all-beige-everything. I think your home should be an extension of your personality and reflect you at your most eccentric and glamorous self,” remarks potter and designer Jonathan Adler. “Try a gallery wall composed of personal photos, art inspired by your favorite travel destinations, or a groovy graphic that speaks to your soul,” Adler adds.
Aashni Kumar, principal designer and founder at Aashni Kumar, seconds this shift toward character, stating: “I once loved a tone-on-tone color palette, but I’m now ready for some surprises and bold elements, which help create individuality and add personality to spaces.”
Bye-Bye, Bouclé
Recently, bouclé furniture has dominated seating and accent pieces. However, designers are now fed up seeing white bouclé sofas everywhere. Also, the fabric doesn’t wear very well, especially in areas of friction.
Hardesh and Monica Chawla, cofounders of Essentia Environments, explain: “By 2026, we expect to see the shift away from materials like bouclé and an increase in textiles that age gracefully, like supple leather, raw silks, or natural linens.”
Move Over, Minimalist Kitchens
In perhaps an unexpected twist, designers are also advocating function over form in 2026 (well, maybe not everywhere), particularly in the kitchen. Practical storage is a must-have for keeping things looking clean and stylish. That’s why they’re turning away from open shelving.
Designer Ethan Charles Greenfeld, founder and principal designer at Ethan Charles Design, says, “The minimalist kitchen aesthetic featuring no upper cabinets with a single open shelf might seem stylish and create a clean, spacious feel, but it’s impractical. Where would you store your glasses and dishes?”
Matte Black Hardware
Last but not least? Matte black hardware — this finish has flooded the market in both lighting and bathrooms, and designers are over it.
“My eyes are desperate for finishes that have softer, richer tones, smoky pewters, and new hues of oil rubbed bronze,” concludes Ashley Macuga, interior designer and founder of Collected Interiors. “There are still very appropriate places where matte black should and can be used (mostly dark and moody environments), but broadly speakingb… it’s officially time to bid adieu.”
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