Sincerely, Shannon

1. Millennial Grey

We’re finally moving away from the millennial grey trend. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a trend from the 2010s when seemingly everyone was decorating their homes in all different forms of grey. You can actually see it when you’re house hunting, too: the tile, floors, walls, counters… everything is a different shade of grey, and they would decorate in grey too! Now I think grey can be used in design, but that’s a little bit much!

2. Generic Word Art

Live laugh love, everyone! I mean, seriously, if that’s your thing, keep with it, but I know so many people with the basic ‘live laugh love’ or ‘blessed’ signs hanging in their living rooms or dining rooms. The home sweet home signs or the “HELLO” signs near the door. Some are super cute; I’ve seen people with a welcome floor mat, a welcome sign, and even statues holding little hello signs, all in the same entryway. I get it, HELLO!

3. Decor That Says What It Is

Sort of in the same vein we were in before, but this is specifically for signs that literally tell you what something is. I don’t need a utensil holder that says utensil or a bread box that says bread. Even worse are the big signs that say “Kitchen” that go in your kitchen. I figured out I was in the kitchen when I saw the fridge and the oven. They have the same thing for the dining room and the laundry room that I see everywhere. If you are going to use artwork, at least don’t make it directional.

4. Too Many Pillows

I love a throw pillow as much as the next person, but come on, I have been places where there are so many pillows you can’t sit on the couch! Or the other option is you end up putting all the pillows on the floor. One or two pillows are great, a few more if you have a sectional. Once we get to more than five on one piece of furniture, we are getting excessive.

5. Furniture That Doesn’t Fit the Room

A couch can look so good in the showroom or online, then you get it into the space, and it is way too big, or too small, or you didn’t realize the color just doesn’t work in your space. Make sure you are thinking about your space when you are purchasing furniture, how it will be used, and how it will function in the overall space.

6. Bad Lighting

This one depends on the space. I feel like there are two ends of the spectrum: either the light is too dim or way too harsh. Right now, my house is way too dim; we have a few different lights, but the room is still dark because the lighting isn’t doing its job. Then on the other side, people use way too much harsh lighting. Having cool-toned overhead lights and exposed bulbs can make you feel like you are in an office building.

7. Not Designing Like You Have Pets

This one drives me crazy. Getting furniture without considering your pets, then getting upset when it gets covered in dog hair or scratched. Getting fragile things and putting them on bottom shelves or on the edge of counters where curious paws and tails can knock them over. If you have a pet, it’s not just you who lives there; it’s their house too. Think about choosing materials that work for your pets and your lifestyle. Design as if they belong there; add a dog bed or a cat tree to your design. If your dog needs a ramp or stairs, add it into the design of your place instead of making it an afterthought.

8. Everything Needing to Be New

Oh look, KitchenAid came out with a new mixer that is the same as last year’s, but this one is “new”. Or oh, there is new stuff out for the season, out with all the old, in with all the new. It’s a waste of money and a perfect example of overconsumption. You don’t have to get rid of everything each season when new things come out; pick what you like and design how you please. If you like things from this season, great. Get some stuff! If you hate it, there is no need to get anything!

9. All Homes Look the Same Because of a Trend

This goes back to the millennial grey trend that literally everyone was doing. It was “trendy”. Design for you. If you like to color-drench in lime green and have bright orange furniture, do it. Trends be damned. Trends are great places to get inspiration from; you don’t have to copy a design, and if you know what you like, do it.

10. Designing for Resale Instead of Yourself

You buy a house and are so excited, then you design it like you are going to sell it again. I have had family and friends refuse to do things that would make living in their homes easier and more comfortable because they are worried about “resale value”. Knocking down a wall to make yourself more comfortable for many years to come might hurt resale value, or it might increase it. Maybe your idea actually works better in the house; you’re the one living there, after all. You might as well enjoy the house you live in instead of worrying.

Take any of these suggestions, or leave them! Design should reflect your own personality and lifestyle, not what is popular or what everyone else thinks. Your home should be designed for you!

What’s an interior design trend or choice that drives you absolutely crazy? I would love to hear from you!