These 12 Home Features Won’t Be Trendy for Long

Open Shelving in Kitchens

Open shelving has been a go-to for kitchens in recent years, offering a breezy, minimalist look. However, more homeowners are finding that open shelves collect dust, grease, and clutter much faster than traditional cabinets.

According to a 2024 survey by Houzz, nearly 60% of homeowners said they regretted choosing open shelving because it made their kitchens harder to keep tidy. With busy lifestyles and the desire for easy maintenance, enclosed cabinets are making a strong comeback.

Plus, open shelves often force people to put aesthetics over practicality, which doesn’t work for everyone. Many interior designers now suggest that unless you love spending time arranging dishes, it’s better to skip this trend.

As a result, open shelving is quickly losing its appeal and is likely to fade away in the next few years.

Barn Doors

Barn doors surged in popularity with the rise of farmhouse-style interiors, but their moment may be passing. While they do save space compared to swinging doors, they often lack soundproofing and privacy.

According to a 2023 report from Zillow, listings with barn doors sold for less than those with standard doors, hinting at diminishing buyer interest. Many homeowners also complain about barn doors being difficult to install and maintain, especially if they’re not high quality.

As tastes shift toward more modern and timeless designs, traditional or pocket doors are being favored once again. Barn doors can look out of place in many homes, and their novelty is wearing off.

It’s becoming clear they won’t be a staple in future home designs.

All-White Interiors

All-white interiors once symbolized modern elegance and sophistication. However, they are now being criticized for feeling cold, sterile, and difficult to maintain.

In a 2024 interior design trends analysis from Architectural Digest, experts noted a 40% decrease in the use of all-white color palettes compared to previous years. White surfaces show every smudge, fingerprint, and splash, which can quickly become frustrating for busy families or pet owners.

Designers now recommend warmer, more inviting color schemes and natural materials to create a more comfortable and personalized space. The shift toward earthy tones and layered textures is a clear sign that all-white interiors are losing their place in the spotlight.

Accent Walls in Bold Colors

For years, painting one wall a bright color was a quick way to add personality to a room. But this trend is fading fast.

According to a 2024 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, only 11% of new homes featured accent walls, down from 27% five years earlier. Homeowners are gravitating toward cohesive color schemes that create harmony rather than sharp contrasts.

Bold accent walls can also make spaces feel smaller and more chaotic, especially in open-concept homes. Instead, subtle color variations and tone-on-tone palettes are gaining favor for their calming effect.

The era of the dramatic accent wall is quickly coming to an end.

Industrial Lighting Fixtures

Industrial-style lighting, with its exposed bulbs and metal finishes, became popular thanks to loft conversions and urban-inspired interiors. Now, however, people are seeking softer, cozier lighting options.

Research from the American Lighting Association in 2024 shows a 35% drop in sales for industrial lighting fixtures, while demand for more organic, sculptural, and fabric-covered lights is on the rise. Harsh lighting can make homes feel unwelcoming, and the industrial look doesn’t blend well with other styles.

Designers are now recommending fixtures that add warmth and character, moving away from the utilitarian look that once dominated.

Shiplap Walls

Shiplap walls became synonymous with the “modern farmhouse” trend, but their popularity is starting to wane. In a 2023 Realtor.com report, listings featuring shiplap saw a 20% decrease in buyer interest compared to the previous year.

Many homeowners say shiplap looks outdated and is difficult to maintain, as the grooves can trap dust and dirt. Designers are shifting toward more subtle wall treatments, such as textured wallpapers or natural wood panels.

As the farmhouse look fades, shiplap is likely to become a relic of the past rather than a sought-after feature.

Sliding Barn-Style Shower Doors

Sliding barn-style doors made their way into bathrooms, especially as shower enclosures, but this feature is quickly losing steam. According to a 2023 HomeAdvisor study, complaints about difficult cleaning and water leakage have risen by 30% among homeowners with this style.

The tracks can accumulate grime and are often tricky to keep spotless. Frameless glass shower doors are becoming the preferred choice because they offer a sleeker look and are easier to clean.

As homeowners prioritize functionality and hygiene, sliding barn-style shower doors are rapidly falling out of favor.

Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

Once a symbol of comfort and luxury, wall-to-wall carpeting is now seen as outdated and difficult to keep clean. In a 2024 Consumer Reports survey, 68% of respondents said they preferred hardwood or luxury vinyl flooring due to ease of maintenance and better resale value.

Carpets are notorious for trapping allergens, dust, and odors, making them less appealing for families with children or pets. Newer flooring options are also more durable and come in a wider range of styles.

As a result, wall-to-wall carpeting is being replaced by hard surfaces with area rugs for added warmth and comfort.

Overly Large Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands have grown larger over the years, but bigger isn’t always better. Recent data from the National Kitchen & Bath Association shows a significant shift: in 2024, 47% of kitchen remodels opted for smaller, more functional islands instead of oversized ones.

Huge islands can disrupt the flow of a kitchen, making it harder to move around, and often end up as dumping grounds for clutter. Designers now emphasize right-sizing islands to fit each kitchen’s proportions while maximizing utility.

The trend is moving toward multi-purpose islands with built-in storage or seating, rather than giant slabs dominating the space.

Grey Everything

Grey became the dominant neutral color over the past decade, but its reign appears to be ending. According to a 2024 paint trends forecast by Benjamin Moore, sales of grey paint shades have dropped by 22% in the last year alone.

Homeowners and designers are shifting toward warmer neutrals, such as taupe, beige, and soft greens. Grey interiors can feel cold and impersonal, which is at odds with the desire for cozy, inviting living spaces.

With this shift, grey-centric decor is poised to become a hallmark of the past rather than a trend for the future.

Floating Bathroom Vanities

Floating vanities gave bathrooms a modern, airy feel, but they’re now seen as less practical. A 2023 survey by the National Kitchen & Bath Association found that only 19% of new bathroom remodels included floating vanities, a sharp decline from previous years.

Homeowners report that floating vanities offer less storage and are harder to clean underneath. There’s also a perception that they lack the durability of traditional vanities, especially in homes with children.

The trend is shifting toward freestanding vanities with more storage and timeless appeal.

Smart Appliances with Excessive Tech

While smart appliances offer convenience, not all features are genuinely useful. According to a 2024 Statista report, 54% of users said they rarely used most of the advanced “smart” functions on their kitchen appliances.

Frequent software updates, complicated interfaces, and concerns about cybersecurity have also made buyers wary. Many people now prefer appliances that are reliable and easy to use, rather than tech-heavy gadgets that can quickly become obsolete.

As a result, the demand for overcomplicated smart appliances is dropping in favor of simpler, user-friendly options.