6 Overrated Decorating Trends Designers Are Tired of Seeing Everywhere

These looks aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

As you’re scrolling Instagram or flipping through design magazines, you probably see some of the same trends again and again. So many kitchens these days are sporting open shelving, for one, and you’re bound to spot some sage green walls or accents in a newly finished renovation project .

If you’re thinking some of these repeated looks are disproportionately hyped, you’re not alone. Interior designers also have thoughts when it comes to overrated design trends. Ahead, find their six most egregious examples.

Meet Our Expert

• Isabel Ladd , interior designer
• Tara Lenney , interior designer
• Elizabeth P. Lord , interior designer
• Madelaine Mayer , founder and design principal at AD:ROIT Architecture and Interior Design
• Maythi Perez Garcia , associate designer at Blakeley Interior Design

Related: Skip These 7 Design Trends if You Want To Clean Less Often, Design Experts Say

White Boucle

It’s hard to step into any home decor shop or showroom without seeing it. White boucle is—and has been—everywhere. According to Madelaine Mayer, founder and design principal at AD:ROIT Architecture and Interior Design, that’s the problem.

“While this texture may have felt fresh five years ago, it now looks ubiquitous, and by extension, tired,” Mayer says. “It's also prone to snagging, so especially if you have pets , you're better served with a tighter weave fabric like a velvet or chenille, which are just as soft and luxurious with better durability and longevity.”

Faux Wall Molding

Giving a room old-world charm is usually a nice idea. But it can backfire.

“While we absolutely love custom millwork and incorporate it in most of our projects, we find the trend of faux wall molding and wainscoting overrated because it often lacks the craftsmanship that makes real millwork special, and can feel like an afterthought rather than an intentional design choice,” says Maythi Perez Garcia, associate designer at Blakeley Interior Design.

She explains faux molding may come across as flat or generic—rather than enhancing the character of the space—when it’s only done in one or two rooms. Professionally done millwork typically extends throughout a home, so standalone additions fail to add genuine depth.

Subway Tile

Subway tile continues to bedeck countless kitchens and bathrooms. But Mayer says it’s time to move on to something with more personality.

“This is another trend that has gone from refreshing to mundane in the last few years. There are so many more interesting tiles and fun-colored grouts available at all price points,” she says. “If you prefer an all-white scheme, try a zellige tile which adds subtle color and texture variation in a range of shapes and sizes. Instead of the standard running or stacked pattern, try a basketweave, straight herringbone, or windmill. The possibilities are endless!”

Burgundy

Red and burgundy paint shades are ubiquitous these days. Tara Lenney, founder of Tara Lenney Design, doesn’t think this overrated look will last.

“Red is such a bold, dominating color, and if you’ve loved it all your life, then by all means , embrace it,” she says. “But this sudden resurgence in red and burgundy, especially on things that are expensive to change later—like your entire kitchen? I’m not convinced it will stick around in the design world for long.”

Can Lights

It’s high time we stop using can lights to illuminate kitchens, according to Isabel Ladd of Isabel Ladd Interiors. That’s because they make them feel cold, rather than a warm extension of your home.

“We're not performing surgery in a kitchen, so ban the cans and opt for lighting that invites conversation and sets a mood,” Ladd says. “Select a fixture that could belong in the living room or foyer, and always, always use a lightbulb with a warm glow . But if you can't imagine life without task lighting, simply conceal them under the upper cabinets.”

Stainless Steel Appliances

Designer Elizabeth P. Lord thinks both homeowners and designers have felt confined to stainless steel appliances when designing a kitchen.

“Stainless was an industry standard for a long time without any suitable alternatives,” she says. “But now, with appliances becoming more of a statement piece in a kitchen, they have to be incorporated into a design with intention to be a focal point in the space.”

She points to options like CAFÉ Appliances, which can be customized with finish options like forest green with brushed brass hardware, for example. “We’re no longer held to ‘settling for stainless,’” she says.

Related: 6 Underrated Decorating Ideas Interior Designers Want You to Try in Your Own Home

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple .