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Design trends come and go, but the finishes you choose for your home should stand the test of time. While it’s tempting to follow what’s “in,” certain choices date quickly, leaving your home feeling stuck in another decade. Common questions from our clients, like are accent walls out of style, reflect just how overwhelming ever-changing advice can be.
The Atlanta interior designers at Z & Co. Design Group have years of custom home design experience and have seen many trends lose their luster fast. If you want a space that endures in beauty and always feels fresh, it’s time to rethink these fading ideas and embrace selections that will feel intentional, elevated, and uniquely yours.
Gray Floors and Cabinets: A Cool Trend That’s Cooled Off
For years, builders and renovators leaned hard into cool gray on floors, cabinetry, and even walls. Now, is gray going out of style? Absolutely. This trend came and went, and is a prime example of why you should not follow trends if you want to love your home forever! The gray promised “modern,” but the effect now reads cold and one-note.
Gray flooring in particular seems everywhere, but not every home can pull it off without looking washed out. The same goes for gray-painted cabinets, which can appear industrial and dated faster than you think.
Timeless Alternative:
With white cabinetry and neutral floors, the North Akin kitchen strikes the perfect balance of timeless beauty and subtle sophistication.
Opt for white-painted cabinetry for a bright, classic look, or try medium-stained cabinets that highlight the natural beauty of the wood. For floors, choose hardwoods in light oak or a well-balanced medium brown, not too gray, not orange, and avoiding espresso-dark planks. This palette offers warmth and versatility so you can reinvent your spaces with accessories, not a full gut renovation.
Color Drenching: Bold but Risky
Color drenching—painting walls, trim, and ceilings in a saturated shade—has dominated Instagram feeds and TikTok trends, promising personality and drama. But it can quickly become overwhelming, especially in large or open spaces, and repainting all that trim can be costly.
Timeless Alternative:
Reserve bold, all-over color for rooms you want to feel enveloping, like an office, guest bedroom, or powder room. For main living areas, lean into light neutrals such as Sherwin-Williams Alabaster or Drift of Mist. These soft shades create timeless, all-over backdrops that let you layer in personality with rugs, art, bedding, and pillows.
Is Wallpaper Back in Style?: A Classic Reimagined
Homeowners in 2025 are asking, "Is wallpaper back in style?" The truth is, wallpaper never really left, but how you use it determines whether it feels timeless or dated.
Timeless Alternative:
Grasscloth is a beautiful wall treatment that adds rich texture to your walls without overwhelming the space.
Instead of chasing trendy geometrics or novelty prints, focus on quality textures, natural patterns, and classic motifs that enhance the architecture of your space. Think subtle grasscloths, elegant stripes, or botanical designs that have stood the test of time. It’s worth mentioning that with proper prep, wallpaper is much more easily removable than it was years ago. This means you can change it later without ripping down the sheetrock, a noticeable issue with those renovating homes with 20+ year old wallpaper.
Black Windows: Too Bold for the Long Run
Black-framed windows and doors have become a signature look in recent years. But are black windows going out of style? Many designers find that these elements quickly become the focal point, and their strong contrast can limit future decorating ideas. They also feel intense and inflexible, especially inside, where they can dominate instead of blending in.
Timeless Alternative:
White or soft-colored interior window frames set the stage for creative freedom. They blend into the background, letting art and decor take center stage as your style evolves.
Accent Walls and Shiplap: Trends Past Their Prime
Are accent walls out of style? The verdict is in for 2025: Yes! They’re no longer the go-to feature to add interest in your home and you can lose interest in them quickly.. Our designers encourage skipping “modern” geometric accent walls and opting for something more classic.
Similarly, many wonder: Is shiplap out of style? It too has lost its must-have status except when used sparingly in mudrooms or utility spaces, but no longer as an every-surface solution. This was a super hot feature during the Modern Farmhouse trend, which is also out. Use sparingly and keep it classic.
Timeless Alternative:
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This wall paneling adds timeless dimension and architectural character, creating a refined backdrop that never goes out of style.
Forego the feature wall and consider timeless wall treatments, such as classic wainscoting, paneling, and trim, or subtle, tailored wallpaper throughout. Or shiplap a single space in your home, such as the backdrop in your laundry room instead of an accent wall in every main living space.
Black and White Kitchens: Too Harsh
If you’ve been wondering are white kitchens out of style, the answer is a bit nuanced. It’s not white itself that’s the problem; white kitchens remain a timeless favorite. The issue lies in pairing all-white cabinets with bold black finishes, which creates a stark, high-contrast look that many now find overdone and harsh.
Timeless Alternative:
Soften the contrast by mixing warm wood tones, layered neutrals, and metals beyond just black. Instead of white subway tile with black grout, switch to a softer grout color for a look that stands the test of time.
Hardware: Overpowering Is Out
Many homeowners are wondering if black hardware is going out of style or if oil-rubbed bronze is out of style. They’ve been popular choices for years, lending kitchens and bathrooms a bold, modern edge. But recently, these dark, heavy finishes are losing their appeal, especially on a white backdrop. The truth is, these looks can now feel overpowering or “too trendy,” making spaces feel dated sooner than you’d hope.
Timeless Alternative:
A brushed brass faucet brings warmth, elegance, and timeless appeal to th vanity.
Brushed brass or polished nickel are timeless hardware alternatives. They add an element of understated luxury without dominating the room, allowing you to change out accessories and decor rather than your hardware when trends shift.
Lighting: Simplify for Longevity
Lighting and architectural details can make or break a room's feel. Trends like Edison bulbs, cage-style pendant fixtures, and ultra-glam crystal chandeliers were everywhere not long ago, but have begun to feel overdone and dated in 2025. These styles can distract more than decorate, cluttering the space and overshadowing your overall design.
Timeless Alternative:
Timeless lighting with clean lines and warm metallic finishes elevates this kitchen, adding both function and a touch of enduring elegance.
Look for sculptural yet simple lighting, with classic forms that don’t scream “trend” but still add character. Warm metals and glass finishes combined with clean lines or soft curves create fixtures that elevate a room without overpowering it.
Ready for a Home That Always Looks Up-To-Date?
Finishes are fundamental to your home’s style, so it’s critical to ask yourself whether those elements will truly keep your space fresh and current over time. To create a home that feels effortlessly stylish year after year, focus on these timeless design principles:
- Stick With Light Neutrals: Choose soft, light colors for large surfaces like walls, ceilings, and trim. This lets you refresh your space with new decor elements instead of costly repainting or renovations.
- Choose Mid-Tone Wood Finishes: Avoid extremes like gray-washed, overly orange, or very dark woods. Medium-stained wood brings balance and natural warmth to any room.
- Opt for Classic Metals: Choose classic metals that provide warmth and sophistication while blending easily with a variety of styles and colors.
- Avoid Trend-Heavy Patterns: Instead of bold accent walls or high-contrast designs, select subtle textures and understated patterns. Think classic wallpaper, tailored paneling, or full-room treatments that add depth without overwhelming your room’s overall harmony.
At Z & Co. Design Group, our local interior designers specialize in guiding homeowners to make smart finish choices that honor individuality while ensuring long-lasting appeal. Whether you’re renovating or building new, our expert Atlanta design group can help you create a home that is both enduring and uniquely yours.
