Formal Dining Rooms
The age of pristine formal dining rooms is rapidly coming to an end. A lot of the backlash we have seen against dining rooms recently is not so much that they are redundant, but they are redundant in their traditional, very formal form, according to interior designers. The majority of busy families still prefer to eat at their kitchen islands, bar tops, and eat-in kitchen tables over the dining room because it’s much more practical.
Modern families prefer multipurpose spaces that adapt to their daily needs rather than rooms preserved like museums. The trend toward casual entertaining and relaxed gatherings has made these formal areas feel stuffy and outdated, with younger homebuyers actively avoiding layouts featuring these rarely-used rooms. Many homeowners are converting these spaces into home offices, libraries, or playrooms instead.
Dark, Heavy Industrial Lighting
The harsh black metal cage lights and exposed bulb fixtures that dominated modern home flips are now feeling cold and unwelcoming. Black metal cage lights and exposed bulbs were once a staple in modern house flips, but buyers are over the harsh, cold lighting that comes with industrial-style fixtures. Instead, they’re looking for warm, inviting lighting that complements their space.
Sleek, minimal pendant lights and statement chandeliers in warm tones like brushed gold, brass, or soft black are becoming the preferred alternative. Smart lighting that allows for adjustable brightness and warmth is also a huge selling point in 2025. The shift reflects homeowners’ desire for lighting that actually makes their spaces feel cozy and lived-in.
All-Matching Black Hardware
The trend of matching every single piece of black hardware throughout a home is starting to feel amateur and predictable. Matching black plumbing, bath hardware, and cabinet hardware are out! While a black fixture can have its place, matching everything is a rookie mistake. Design professionals are advocating for more sophisticated approaches that mix materials and finishes.
Instead, opt for mixing materials and finishes for a custom look. Even better if the finishes are hand-applied or have a patina. This creates visual interest and prevents homes from looking like they were decorated from a single catalog page.
Wide-Plank Light Wood Flooring
Those expansive light-colored wide plank floors that seemed so elevated just a few years ago are losing their appeal. The light-colored, wide-plank wood flooring and large-format tile that were once reliable, go-to choices for elevated transitional style are on their way out in favor of finishes that add texture and authenticity to the home. The clean, uninterrupted expanses that made these options so appealing in the past now come across as impersonal, uniform, and sterile. Their popularity has left a once-impactful design choice feeling predictable and less distinctive.
Homeowners are gravitating toward flooring with more character and variation. Textured surfaces, darker tones, and materials with natural imperfections are taking the spotlight as people seek authenticity over perfection.
Modern Farmhouse Style
The rustic chic aesthetic that dominated home design for years is officially losing steam. The overly “rustic chic” look is officially outdated. Buyers are moving towards sleek, modern, and transitional designs that feel less theme heavy. The barnyard elements that once felt fresh now appear overdone and gimmicky.
A modern organic style that blends natural wood, minimal accents, and neutral tones without being overly rustic is the preferred alternative. A few wood accents are fine but ditch the barn doors and distressed wood overload. The new direction emphasizes clean lines while still incorporating natural elements in a more refined way.
Built-In Platform Tubs
Those grand step-up bathtubs with decorative tile surrounds are becoming design dinosaurs. Built-in tubs with large platforms and small grouted tiles are not only an eyesore, they take up valuable real estate that should be given to the shower. These step-up tubs are also hazardous for those in the home of all ages. Safety concerns are driving much of this change, as aging-in-place becomes a priority for many homeowners.
The trend is moving toward larger, more luxurious walk-in showers with beautiful tile work and multiple shower heads. These provide better functionality while taking up less space and offering safer access for all family members.
Waterfall Countertops
The dramatic waterfall edge countertop that extends to the floor is starting to feel overdone and impersonal. Waterfall countertops had their moment, but they can sometimes feel a little too sleek and cold. In 2025, homeowners are craving kitchens with more warmth and personality. I’m seeing a shift toward islands with mixed materials or unique details that make the space feel inviting, layered, and full of charm.
The movement is toward kitchen islands that incorporate different textures, materials, and finishes to create more visual interest and personality rather than the stark, monolithic waterfall look.
All-White Everything
The pristine, gallery-like aesthetic that dominated design magazines is finally losing its grip. Those stark white walls, white countertops, white cabinets, and white furniture looked stunning in photographs but proved impractical for actual living. Families discovered that maintaining these clinical spaces required constant vigilance against everyday messes. The cold, sterile feeling also left many homeowners yearning for warmth and personality.
People are embracing warmer tones, textured surfaces, and materials that can actually handle daily life without looking dingy. The shift represents a move toward homes that feel lived-in and welcoming rather than showroom-perfect.
Maximalism and “Core” Aesthetics
The overwhelming trend of collecting items to fit specific aesthetic “cores” is burning out homeowners and designers alike. Maximalism and all the ‘cores’ – let’s get back to the ‘core’ and let go of the overzealous trends that have us running to buy more stuff. The constant pressure to curate collections that fit trending aesthetics is proving exhausting and financially draining.
Instead of filling spaces with items chosen for their adherence to a particular style, people are moving toward more thoughtful, sustainable decorating that focuses on quality pieces they genuinely love and will keep for years.
Overly Complex Smart Home Systems
While smart home technology continues advancing, overly complicated systems are becoming counterproductive. Smart home systems manage your heat, AV, and lighting automatically based on pre-set programs, but they can be more complicated than convenient. I believe it’s getting too complex to navigate, upkeep and spend even more time with technology in the home, which should want us want to simplify, disintegrate and make our homes the warm place where AI has no place.
The trend is shifting toward invisible technology that blends seamlessly into your home. Forget clunky gadgets and flashing lights, the smart home tech that designers love is built to blend seamlessly into your home. Homeowners want the benefits of smart technology without the complexity or visual clutter.
Granite Countertops with Stainless Steel Appliances
Once the ultimate status symbol in kitchen design, the ubiquitous granite-and-stainless combination has become the design equivalent of a flip phone. What was once special has become so commonplace that it no longer signals quality or taste. Homeowners are increasingly turning to warmer materials like wood, soapstone, or concrete countertops paired with integrated appliances or colored finishes.
This combination dominated kitchens for so long that it now screams “dated” rather than “upscale.” The move is toward more unique materials and finishes that offer personality and warmth.
Dedicated Home Theater Rooms
Technology has made the dedicated home theater obsolete faster than you can say “streaming service.” Those specialized rooms with tiered seating, built-in screens, and complicated wiring systems are increasingly viewed as inflexible white elephants. With streaming services making content available anywhere and smart TVs becoming more sophisticated, the need for a separate theater room has diminished significantly.
Modern families prefer flexible spaces that can serve multiple functions rather than rooms dedicated to a single purpose that may only be used occasionally. The valuable square footage is better utilized for multipurpose family rooms or home offices.
The home design landscape is evolving rapidly, with functionality, flexibility, and authenticity taking priority over formal, matchy-matchy aesthetics. The 2025 design trends look to emphasize sustainability, comfort, and timeless elegance. The focus 2025 is on blending quality with personal expression, ensuring your home remains a sanctuary for years to come. These changes reflect how we actually live today – seeking spaces that adapt to our busy lives while still feeling beautiful and personal.
What would you have guessed was becoming obsolete first?