Home Home Decor Ideas Distracting Design Trends to Avoid, According to Designers By Elizabeth Sweet Elizabeth Sweet Elizabeth Sweet is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Journalism and Savannah College of Art & Design's Interior Design Masters program. She is proud to have worked in editorial departments for both Chicago Home + Garden Magazine and Better Homes & Gardens, and has 12 years of experience in the field. Her words have appeared in the pages of Southern Living Magazine and websites for Better Homes and Gardens, House Beautiful, Chicago Magazine, Dwell, and more. Find her at elizabethsweet.com and on Instagram. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on February 28, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Aaron Dougherty Photography Trends can be great fun, or they can pull us off track. When designing your home (or a client's, if you're a design talent), heed the experts: Choose what you love, and you'll love what you choose. Make your home unique rather than mainstream. Pick colors, textures, and materials that speak to you, and they're sure to stay in style. Erica Evensen of Austin's Evensen Design agrees. "We always encourage clients to buy pieces that resonate with them and not to buy items to simply fill the home," she says. "Your interiors should be a reflection of your personality, with things you love curated over time." Are you redecorating, renovating, or simply need some direction? We've asked a handful of Southern designers to share a tempting design trend to avoid. Keep their advice in mind, and you'll soon have a timeless space to enjoy. 01 of 09 Trendy Patterned Tile Getty Images In many bathrooms and kitchens, you're sure to see patterned flooring and wall tile. For designer Andi Morse, founder of Morse Design, it's a trend to evade. "Patterned tile is a popular trend these days," she says. "I like the look, but it will make your house dated in a few years. I recommend sticking to solids in different textures." 02 of 09 Sticking To A Defined Style Nick Johnson Designer Blair Burton of Blair Burton Interiors says homeowners should avoid a defined style in their home and kitchen (like modern farmhouse, rustic, or Tuscan). "Choose texture and pattern over a specific style," she says. "Spaces that look like they were taken entirely from Pinterest aren't as authentic or appealing." 03 of 09 Faux Marble In The Kitchen Molly Culver If you're selecting materials for a renovation, avoid imitation surfaces. For Burton, faux marble is trendy but a no. "Marble must be authentic to make its way into a kitchen," she says. "It doesn't have the same patina and warmth as natural stone." 04 of 09 The Sterile White Kitchen Getty Images For Burton, it's prudent to avoid the sterile kitchen trend all together. "If you decide to go with an all-white kitchen, make sure to vary materials and textures to keep the look interesting," she says. 05 of 09 Open Shelving If You're Not Tidy Getty Images "If homeowners tend to be less than tidy, they should steer clear of open shelving," says Caron Woolsey, Founder of CW Interiors. "If the shelves are used to display infrequently used items, they will need to be dusted. If open shelving is used to store dishes, said dishes will need to be artfully stacked and accessed regularly, which could lead to a glass or dish getting knocked and falling to the floor." 06 of 09 Maximalism Evensen Design "I recommend you avoid embracing maximalism," Evensen says. "As much as we love layering styles, textures, and curating unique pieces for our clients, design is all about how you edit a space. If you want to embrace this trend, do it in a small space that doesn't dominate your entire home." 07 of 09 Uniformly Painted Walls Aaron Dougherty Photography Terra McNutt of Dallas-based RI Studio says it can be tempting to stick to one monochromatic color when designing your home, but contrast is crucial. "Adding in bold accents and textures into your space is key to an interior you'll love for years to come," she says. "Say goodbye to all-white designs and select an unexpected paint color or wall-covering that adds depth and interest." 08 of 09 All Matching Furniture Stovall Studio "Matching furniture may seem like the easiest way to achieve the style or look you want for your interior, but it results in a lack of authenticity," says Cheri Etchelecu Martin of Cheri Etchelecu Interior Design. "Don't be afraid to mix finishes and textures with furnishings that show personality and creativity! You will end up with a more curated space." 09 of 09 Furniture In Trendy Colors Breathe Design Studio Christine Turknett of Breathe Design Studio in Austin says homeowners should use trendy colors in easily-updated places. "Green is the color of the year, but I would stray from purchasing furniture in colors like avocado or lime green," she says. "Instead, I suggest painting the walls or using accessories so that your furniture will remain timeless and you can change up accent colors easily." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit