5 Living Room Styles That Are Going Out of Style, Designers Warn

Just like in fashion and makeup, design trends are constantly cycling in and out of popularity. In the living room especially, trends can feel extra pronounced since it’s a space that gets so much foot traffic and where furnishings are constantly evolving.

So, what living room styles are no longer trendy at the moment? We tapped three interior designers for their insight.

All Gray Interiors

Ultimate Gray was Pantone’s Color of the Year in 2021—and it quickly proliferated interiors. However, it’s no longer a default color in living rooms, as people are looking for tones with more life.

“While gray can still be a versatile neutral, entire gray-on-gray schemes are being swapped out for warmer tones, like earth tones and even some bold colors,” interior designer Amy Leferink says.

Interior designer Rashmi Patel agrees that while color is ultimately up to personal preference, concrete and pepper tones are no longer cutting it.

“If there’s one trend I’d prefer not to see make a big comeback, it’s the all-gray look,” Patel says. “While gray can be beautiful in moderation, an entirely gray space can feel a bit flat and lacking in warmth.”

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Midcentury Modern Style

Midcentury modern design is used widely for inspiration by first-time homeowners and interior designers alike. However, it’s starting to take a backseat to other styles.

“Midcentury modern, while still beloved, has become so predictable it’s started to feel formulaic—it looks inexpensive and generic,” says design historian Christiane Lemieux. “Styles like these are fading fast because they’re too of this moment in time, unable to grow or adapt as design naturally evolves.”

Still, Leferink finds that its clean lines and simplicity could make a resurgence in living rooms in future years.

“It’s versatile and pairs well with contemporary updates, making it a candidate for longevity,” she says.

All Neutral Palettes

Along with all gray, neutral palettes are similarly no longer all the rage.

“As a designer, I believe a home should reflect who you are, so if someone loves neutrals, they should absolutely embrace that style,” Patel says. “Personally, though, I’m excited about the shift away from strictly neutral spaces.”

Instead, Patel suggests incorporating muted, moody tones to bring in warmth and depth. She says this creates a more balanced and inviting space.

Exaggerated Farmhouse Style

Thanks to the likes of iconic early-2000s Joanna Gaines home flips, farmhouse style became an accessible, loved aesthetic. However, certain iterations of the design can feel out of place in modern spaces.

“The highly rustic, shabby-chic look with distressed wood and burlap accents is becoming less popular, as modern farmhouse styles are becoming more refined and less ‘overdone,’” Leferink says. “While it has its charm, the heavy rustic style can feel dated, especially if not balanced with modern touches.”

Overly Curated Finishes

Faux finishes that were favored in the 1990s, like sponged walls or overdone Venetian plaster, are trends Leferink wouldn’t want to see come back.

“Similarly, overly ornate furniture and gaudy opulence can overwhelm a space, making it feel more like a museum than a home,” she says.

Instead, Lemieux finds that true elegance lies in the story a living room tells rather than how well it fits into the zeitgeist.

“I love those spaces that feel like they’ve grown organically over the years, even decades, filled with items that mean something—walls, furnishings, and artifacts that hold memories and reflect lives lived fully,” Lemieux says. “It’s these rooms, shaped by experience rather than Instagram aesthetics, that stand the test of time.”