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While we can all agree that taste is subjective, some decor decisions will almost always land you on the home design naughty list. Often, many of these are born from a love of the current trends—but it’s important to know when you’re taking the aesthetic of the day a little too far.
As we look ahead to 2025 home trends and track what’s on the rise, we thought it could be kind of fun to take a peek at what’s officially out of style, as well.
With this in mind, we turned to a few of our favorite designers to ask what they feel should never make a comeback—and reads totally tacky.
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Meet the Expert
- Melanie Coddington is the founder of Coddington Design, a luxury interior design firm.
- Kelly Hoppen is an award-winning interior designer with her own eponymous firm based in London.
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01
of 07Matchy-Matchy Design Choices
Credit: FollowTheFlow / Getty Images
Monochromatic rooms might be having a moment, but Melanie Coddington of Coddington Design says it’s a fine line.
If you lean too far into the world of matching bedroom sets, trendy color schemes, or heavily themed decor, you run a risk of putting all your designer eggs in one basket, so to speak.
“These elements may become outdated quickly and may not stand the test of time,” Coddington says. “It’s essential to strike a balance and focus on enduring design principles for a timeless aesthetic.”
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02
of 07Shiny Fabrics
Credit: The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
While some fabrics, like silk and velvet, have a natural sheen to them, Coddington warns of any textiles that are intentionally shiny. Often, these can only look synthetic and cheap.
“I tend to avoid super shiny fabrics, as they can feel tacky and have a short-lived aesthetic,” she says. “Instead, opt for materials with a more subdued sheen or matte finish.”
These picks, Coddington assures us, are far more likely to look timeless and sophisticated.
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03
of 07Plastic Laminate Countertops
Credit: littleny / Getty Images
If you’re tackling a bathroom or kitchen re-design, designer Kelly Hoppen feels passionate about one thing: plastic laminate countertops have got to go.
“I loathe plastic laminate—it’s tacky and does nothing for a kitchen or bathroom,” she says.
While this is often a budget-friendly choice, there are plenty of other countertop options out there these days—and many are far more timeless.
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04
of 07Primary Colors
Credit: Per Magnus Persson / Getty Images
It’s important to craft a beautiful color palette for your space, but Coddington says, unless you’re designing a vintage-era preschool classroom, you should definitely avoid using all three primary colors in one room.
“I find it challenging to incorporate bright red, blue, and yellow into adult living spaces without the design feeling overly simplistic or juvenile,” she says.
Instead, Coddington suggests incorporating some subtlety. “I prefer working with a more nuanced and sophisticated color palette to create a mature and timeless aesthetic in my designs,” she says.
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05
of 07Overdoing the Patterns
Credit: Per Magnus Persson / Getty Images
While layered patterns can look lovely, Hodden warns that too much of a good thing can take a room into tacky territory.
“For example, flower print wallpaper,” she says. “Use it as an accent and make it a star piece in a muted neutral background—but only do a niche or one wall.”
This goes for any specific pattern or look. If you love it, use a light touch. Consider incorporating it into your home in small doses, mixing it in with other textures, or layering it on top of other neutral, textured pieces.
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06
of 07A Chaotic Approach to Maximalism
Credit: Steph Wilson / Unsplash
Maximalism is a beloved aesthetic when done correctly, but when done wrong, it can quickly veer into too much and too tacky. Coddington says the best way to avoid this is with careful curation, a cohesive theme, and a defined color palette.
“Avoiding clutter and ensuring each item contributes meaningfully to the overall aesthetic helps prevent the space from feeling overwhelming or tacky,” Coddington says.
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07
of 07Doing Too Much
Credit: Per Magnus Persson / Getty Images
If you’re looking for one overarching rule to follow when trying to avoid getting a little too tacky, Hodden gave us the best words of wisdom: seek balance.
“Design is about balance in every aspect,” Hodden says. “It’s the same as dressing yourself. When you overdo the jewelry, makeup, and accessories—it speaks too much.”