Every decade produces its share of bold design choices that seem brilliant at the time, but cringeworthy in hindsight. Some trends age gracefully; however, many do not—and if your home feels old or outdated, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders to undo the tackiness caused by some of these trends. Here are four home design trends that have had their moment in the spotlight, but frankly do not need to make a comeback.
1. Sponge Walls
If you grew up in the late ’80s or ’90s, there’s a good chance at least one room in your childhood home had walls that looked like they’d been attacked with a kitchen sponge. Sponge painting was seemingly everywhere, producing a mottled, textured look that felt artistic at the time.
In reality, sponge walls are busy, dated, and difficult to live with long-term. They make rooms feel smaller and visually chaotic, and they’re a genuine headache to paint over when you’re ready to move on.
2. Animal Patterns
A small amount of leopard print can be fun, but an entire room covered in zebra stripes or cheetah spots is a different conversation. Animal print had a long run as a bold design move, showing up on walls, ceilings, and trim in homes that were going for a glamorous or exotic, worldly look.
The problem with animal print as a wall treatment is that it fights everything else in the room. Furniture, artwork, and rugs all have to compete with walls that are already doing a lot of talking.
3. Wood Paneling
Wood paneling was very popular in the ‘70s and onward, when covering every wall in dark, grooved wood boards felt rustic and cozy. However, it often made rooms like basements, dens, and living rooms feel dim, closed-in, and perpetually stuck in a time capsule.
If you have original paneling in your home, painting it is often a faster, more affordable transformation than you’d expect, and the difference is nothing short of dramatic.
4. Popcorn Ceilings
These bumpy, cottage-cheese-looking textures are a cheap way to hide imperfections and reduce noise, and they have lingered far longer than they should have. Beyond looking outdated, popcorn ceilings collect a lot of dust and are nearly impossible to touch up when damaged—not to mention, older ones can be a health hazard due to the presence of asbestos.
Smooth ceilings, whether achieved through scraping or fresh drywall, make an enormous difference in how polished and modern a space feels. If your home still has its original popcorn ceilings, removing them is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make before a fresh coat of paint ties the whole space together.
If you’re ready to update your home, don’t settle for a design trend that’s stuck in the past. Opt for something newer, modern, and exciting—and if you still have doubts, you can trust a team of professionals to help guide you!
About Platinum Painting of Arlington
Our team here at Platinum Painting of Arlington has been helping homeowners all across DFW for the last 15 years, offering a wide range of interior and exterior painting services for residential and commercial projects. If your home feels outdated and needs a refresh, our experts would be more than happy to provide suggestions and assist you with the whole process, from start to finish. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up a FREE estimate, just reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (817) 983-7280.