When it comes to home décor trends, there are some that just need to lay down and die. These instantly make a room look dull, dated, and tacky. For your new home design, avoid these tasteless trends like the plague. Your new house will thank you.

Just Skip These Passé Trends for Your Home Design

There are better choices for finishing off your home than these five options. Instead of fads, choose home design trends that are timeless and have staying power.

Fake Wood Paneling

A relic of the ‘60s and ‘70s, fake wood paneling always looks dark, dreary, and dated. What’s more, it never looks like real wood. Most people who encounter this faded trend in their homes are quick to rip it out or paint over it. Both are good ideas, although painting fake wood paneling might be the better choice if you are budget-conscious.

If you do like the idea of wood on the walls, choose real wood, and keep it to an accent wall so it doesn’t feel like you’re living in a cabin.

Chevron

The repeating zig-zag pattern called chevron had a huge surge in popularity a few years ago. Chances are, you could find chevron on everything from rugs and textiles, to curtains and pillows, to patterned chairs, floors, and tile. However, what once seemed fresh and modern now feels played-out and cliché.

If you crave pattern in your home, go for something classic yet visually interesting, like stripes, paisley, or dots, instead.

Faux Finishes

Remember sponge-painting? This look for walls was popular throughout the ‘90s and early ‘00s. It was often done with colors like mauve, hunter green, or a dusty, denim blue. Unfortunately, it never looked sophisticated – just tacky and muddled. What was it supposed to be imitating, anyway?

Beige Everything

Beige walls, beige furniture, beige carpet – it all adds up to a whole lot of boring. Once upon a time, it seemed like most new houses were awash, from top to bottom, in a coat of blah beige. There are far more interesting neutrals to play around with.

However, if you insist on keeping the bones of your home decor neutral-toned, don’t forget to add color through additions like furniture and artwork.

Tile Countertops

Tile countertops are a nightmare in the kitchen. Grout is hard enough to clean in your shower, but in the kitchen, it will collect everything from crumbs to dirt to bits of food. Plus, tile can easily crack, chip, and break. Combined with the grout problem, tile countertops quickly wear out and look dingy – who knows why this ever became a fad?

These days, a much more modern option that is till budget-conscious for your kitchen home décor is a solid surface countertop that mimics the regal look of granite or quartz.

Don’t fall victim to interior design fads and trends that will quickly fade within a year or two. If you really love the look and must include it in your design, choose to add it in a way that’s more temporary, such as with pillows, artwork, and fabric, as these can be switched out far more easily.