Interior design experts have revealed the trends of the last 10 years that they’ll be happy to leave behind as we enter the next decade.
Granite worktops, farmhouse kitchens and matching furniture sets all make the list of onetime must-haves that are now deemed to be passé.
The list, originally published by US-based interiors site My Domaine, also slams millennial pink and oversized wall clocks.
Here, British experts weigh-in on why these design fads should all remain in the 2010s – and what you can try instead…
GRANITE
Hard luck! Granite worktops made the list of trends now deemed to be passé. Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style expert for Wayfair.co.uk, said granite has made way for marble
Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style expert for Wayfair.co.uk, said: ‘While granite was a rock solid option for kitchens over the last decade, as we move into 2020 customer tastes are starting to evolve.
‘Marble is now a favoured finish among discerning renovators due to its lighter, brighter aesthetic, while terrazzo has made a shift from our floors to our countertops.
‘This composite material which features a medley of marble chips has a fresh contemporary feel and works wonderfully with an array of woodwork, making it oh so 2020.’
Interior designer Katharine Pooley, founder of company Katharine Pooley, said: ‘Granite makes sense as a countertop – it’s sturdy and easy to clean.
‘However as we head into the 2020s there are so many more design options available for your kitchen.
MILLENNIAL PINK
Change of colour: Kris Manalo, Senior Upholstery Buyer at Heal’s, noted customers are moving towards warmer, neutral schemes, led by trends seen on Instagram and Pinterest
Nadia said: ‘Millennial pink was the pastel of the decade, bringing its rosy glow to the design and fashion worlds alike, but in 2020 a new sorbet shade will be sweetening our wardrobes and our interiors.
‘Enter Neo Mint, a whisper-soft green with undeniable freshness and an optimistic energy. At Wayfair, we’ve seen searches for mint coloured picks soar by 350 per cent in the past year and the trend is only set to increase as we head into 2020, hungry for a more hopeful colour palette.’
Kris Manalo, Senior Upholstery Buyer at Heal’s, said: ‘The influence of social media on interiors is going nowhere as we head into the new decade. We have recently seen a move away from ever popular millennial pink, with many influencers and customers moving towards warmer, neutral schemes, led by trends seen on Instagram and Pinterest.
‘Rich mustards and deep blues have also been best-sellers on big ticket items like sofas in the last six months, indicating that the use of statement hues to inject colour into pared back schemes is proving popular.’
Katharine said: ‘Millennial pink, whilst a lovely shade, has been overdone in recent years and now has dated rather quickly. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with injecting a dose of pink into any room – however perhaps pick a more timeless shade, or one that will go with more colour options. The minute a shade becomes in fashion, it’s destined to go out of date!’
BIG CLOCKS
Time for a change! Interior designer Katharine Pooley urged shoppers to swap their oversized wall clock for something smaller to give themselves ‘more options to add wall art, or mirrors’
Katharine Pooley said: ‘They dominate a wall and can seem quite overbearing at times, I’ve never understood the need to have oversized wall clocks!
‘Go for something smaller and it’ll leave you more options to add wall art, or mirrors, in your room.’
MATCHING FURNITURE
One of a kind: Matching furniture sets (pictured) and sofa suites are on their way out, according to experts. They will be replaced by individual pieces that celebrate eclecticism
Nadia said: ‘Say goodbye to your matching suite, 2020 will be the decade where eclecticism is embraced in all its varying forms. While customers tend to gravitate towards certain styles – from glam to industrial, there is now such an array of choice available that there is less emphasis on matchy-matchy sets.
‘At Wayfair, we see shoppers snapping up sofas in an array of shades. Statement occasional chairs are also hugely popular as shoppers seek out quirky perches that will help take their schemes from blah to brilliant.’
Elena Paparozzi, Furniture Buyer at Heal’s, said: ‘Throughout the home, there’s been a real movement away from matching furniture sets in recent years. For example, in our Designed by You range, 30 per cent of tables are bought with a bench rather than dining chairs.
‘This is a significant change in buying behaviours and reflects how customers are becoming more creative in their design choices and opting for more relaxed, contemporary living, rather than staying loyal to traditional layouts.’
Katharine said: ‘Nowadays people’s styles can change regularly, so it doesn’t always make sense to invest in an entire matching furniture set. Going mismatched can add a lot more flexibility to your space as well, as you can move furniture around rooms.’
FARMHOUSE KITCHENS
Time to shake things up: Maggie Griffin, founder and lead designer of Maggie Griffin Design, thinks the neutral palette of a farmhouse kitchen will be replaced with splashes of colour
Maggie Griffin, founder and lead designer of Maggie Griffin Design, told MyDomaine: ‘While I enjoyed the neutral farmhouse trend, I’m ready to add in more color, pattern, and interesting accessories to my designs.
‘Rustic signage, dried cotton, and galvanized metal all have their place, but I find that a mix of finishes and styles is far more telling of who actually lives in a space.’