The 2010s brought a wave of decor trends that once dominated Pinterest boards and home makeover shows. However, as interior design evolves, many of these once-beloved styles have faded into the past. Overuse, impracticality, or shifting tastes have led to their decline. If you’re still holding onto these trends, it may be time to rethink your space and embrace a fresher, more timeless aesthetic. Here are 12 decor trends from the 2010s that are officially out and what to replace them with.

1. Overly Minimalist Spaces

Minimalism had its moment, with stark white walls, bare furniture, and a lack of personal touches dominating interiors. While clean, clutter-free spaces are refreshing, ultra minimalist homes often feel cold and uninviting. Today, designers embrace warm minimalism, a style that balances simplicity with warmth, layering cozy textures, natural materials, and meaningful details. Think soft linen sofas, handcrafted wooden tables, and curated personal pieces that tell a story. It’s about creating serene, intentional spaces that feel both modern and deeply comforting.

2. Barn Doors Everywhere

Barn doors had their moment, thanks to the farmhouse-style boom of the 2010s. They brought rustic charm and saved space don’t always fit in urban lofts or modern homes. Their bulky presence can feel out of sync with clean lines and contemporary aesthetics. Luckily, there are stylish alternatives. Sliding pocket doors disappear seamlessly into walls, offering a minimalist look, while steel-framed glass partitions provide an airy, industrial feel without sacrificing light or openness. Both options maintain space efficiency while feeling more in tune with modern design sensibilities.

3. Open Shelving in Kitchens

Open shelves in kitchens were once praised for their airy, stylish look, but in reality, they often become magnets for dust, grease, and clutter. What starts as a beautifully curated display can quickly turn into a chaotic mix of dishes, spices, and random items that demand constant upkeep. Many homeowners are now shifting toward sleek, concealed storage solutions that keep everything tidy and out of sight. Hidden cabinets and minimalist designs not only maintain a clean, functional kitchen but also create a sense of calm because let’s be honest, life’s already messy enough without having to dust your dishes daily.

4. Gray Everything

For years, gray has ruled interior design, covering walls, furniture, and flooring in a cool, neutral palette. While once seen as sleek and modern, it now feels flat, uninspired, and even a little cold. Homeowners are craving warmth, shifting toward inviting neutrals like beige, taupe, and earthy tones. These hues bring depth, comfort, and a natural, lived-in feel that gray often lacks. Whether it’s a creamy wall color, a cozy sand-toned sofa, or warm wood accents, these shades create spaces that feel more personal, welcoming, and full of life.

5. Shiplap Overload

Shiplap, once the go-to wall treatment for farmhouse-style interiors, had its moment in the spotlight, thanks to its rustic charm and cozy appeal. But after years of overuse, it now feels more predictable than fresh, often making spaces look overly theme driven rather than timeless. Designers are moving away from this trend in favor of wall treatments that add depth and character in a more refined way. Textured finishes like plaster, limewash, and elegant paneling bring warmth and sophistication without feeling cliché, offering a modern yet inviting alternative to the once beloved shiplap.

6. Industrial-Style Lighting

Edison bulbs, exposed wiring, and heavy metal fixtures once defined the industrial aesthetic, giving spaces a raw, factory-inspired edge. While these elements still have their charm, an overreliance on them can make a space feel cold and uninviting. Today, designers are embracing a softer, more balanced approach incorporating sculptural lighting, diffused glows, and warm LED tones that create a more welcoming ambiance. The shift isn’t just about style, it’s about comfort, making spaces feel less like warehouses and more like homes filled with warmth and personality.

7. Matching Furniture Sets

Ten years ago, furnishing a home often meant buying a complete, matching furniture set like sofa, coffee table, and side tables all in the same style. It was the simplest way to decorate, but it also led to spaces that felt generic and uninspired. Today, people are moving away from that cookie-cutter approach, embracing a more eclectic, mix-and-match style. Curating pieces with different textures, eras, and materials adds warmth and personality, making a home feel truly lived-in. A space that tells a story—your story—rather than looking like a showroom.

8. Excessive Marble

In the 2010s, high-gloss white marble countertops and backsplashes were the ultimate symbol of luxury, gracing countless kitchens and bathrooms. But over time, their pristine, polished look started to feel a bit too sterile, almost like a showroom rather than a lived-in space. Now, homeowners and designers are craving something warmer, more organic. Travertine, soapstone, and honed finishes are making a comeback, bringing depth, texture, and a softer, more natural charm. These materials create spaces that feel inviting and timeless, where elegance meets comfort.

9. Millennial Pink Overload

Millennial Pink, that soft, rosy hue that once dominated Instagram feeds, boutique hotels, and trendy cafés, defined the aesthetics of the 2010s. It was on everything like walls, sofas, kitchenware, creating a dreamy, modern feel. But as with any overused trend, fatigue set in. While still charming, the color now feels overly familiar, making way for richer, more grounding tones. Earthy shades like terracotta, deep forest greens, and warm browns are stepping in, bringing a sense of depth, calm, and connection to nature, perfect for today’s craving for authenticity and comfort.

10. Chevron and Geometric Patterns

Chevron-patterned walls, rugs, and furniture had their moment in the 2010s, bringing bold, high-contrast energy into homes. But today, their rigid, repetitive look can feel a bit overwhelming and even dated. Instead, people are embracing a softer, more natural aesthetic with organic, free-flowing patterns. Think abstract brushstrokes, hand-drawn motifs, and textured weaves that feel warm, artisanal, and personal. Whether in textiles or wallpaper, these elements bring a sense of ease and individuality, making spaces feel more inviting and lived-in.

11. All-White Kitchens

White kitchens have long been associated with cleanliness and modernity, but over time, they’ve begun to feel a bit cold and impersonal. To break away from this sterile look, homeowners are embracing more warmth and character by introducing color. Vibrant cabinetry, natural wood accents, and two-toned designs bring depth and personality into the space. The mix of contrasting hues and textures helps create a cozy yet stylish environment, transforming the kitchen into a welcoming hub for cooking, gathering, and creating memories. It’s about finding the right balance between function and aesthetic, making the space feel truly lived-in and loved.

12. Word Art Decor

In the 2010s, signs with catchy phrases like “Live, Laugh, Love” seemed to be everywhere, gracing the walls of homes and offices alike. While these slogans added a certain cheerfulness, they quickly became a decorating cliché, often losing their charm due to overuse. Today, there’s a shift towards more sophisticated and subtle artwork. Abstract paintings, evocative photography, and meaningful visual pieces are taking center stage. These forms of art invite deeper reflection and create a more personal connection, moving away from the loud and predictable phrases of the past and embracing creativity that feels more authentic and timeless.

This article was created with the assistance of AI but thoroughly edited by a human being.