10 Chip Gaines-approved trends that are losing their charm

When Chip Gaines first brought his ideas to the spotlight, a lot of those home trends took off instantly. But as styles shift and people think more about how their homes actually function long-term, some of those once-loved looks are starting to wear out their welcome.

You might still see them here and there, but they don’t feel as fresh or practical as they used to. If you’ve been considering any of these choices, it’s worth knowing they may be on their way out.

Over-Sized Kitchen Islands

Chip’s projects often included massive kitchen islands, and while they’re useful, they’re not always realistic. In smaller spaces, they dominate the room and make moving around awkward.

Homeowners are starting to rethink whether an oversized island is worth the space trade-off. A more practical size can still give you seating and prep area without taking over the kitchen. Proportion matters more now than size alone.

Too Much Gray

Chip’s farmhouse projects leaned heavily into neutral gray walls and finishes. At first, gray felt like the perfect backdrop, but over time, it’s started to feel flat. Entire gray interiors can leave a home looking washed out.

The trend is moving toward warmer neutrals like beige, taupe, or even creamy whites. These tones add more depth and make a house feel welcoming instead of cold. Gray still has its place, but not when it’s the dominant color everywhere.

Exposed Light Bulbs

The industrial farmhouse vibe brought in bare bulbs and cage-style fixtures. While they made a big statement for a while, they’re not aging well. Exposed bulbs create harsh lighting and can feel unfinished in spaces meant to be cozy.

Swapping them for shaded fixtures or warmer-toned lighting makes a huge difference. It keeps the atmosphere comfortable without losing the character you’re aiming for. The trend now is leaning toward functional lighting that still feels polished.

Overdone Farmhouse Signs

Chip’s influence brought a wave of oversized signs with words like “Gather” or “Eat.” While they had charm in the beginning, they’ve become overused to the point of cliché. Instead of feeling personal, they read more like mass-produced decor.

Today’s approach is more about subtle character—framed art, vintage finds, or family photos that actually mean something to you. That kind of personality holds up much longer than store-bought phrases.

Shiplap Everywhere

Chip made shiplap famous, and for a while, you couldn’t walk into a newly remodeled home without seeing it. The problem is, once it spread into every hallway and bathroom, the look stopped feeling special. Too much of it can make a space feel dated rather than timeless.

That doesn’t mean you have to rip it out if you’ve got it. Shiplap can still work when it’s used sparingly—think one accent wall or a small mudroom. The key now is balance, not covering every inch of the house with it.

Barn Doors Inside the House

Sliding barn doors looked charming at first, but in real life they aren’t always practical. They don’t block sound well, and the hardware can loosen over time. For bedrooms or bathrooms, that’s a bigger issue than most people expect.

You can still get a farmhouse touch without relying on barn doors. Pocket doors or more traditional options with updated finishes give the same character without the downsides. Barn doors are starting to feel more like a design shortcut than a feature that truly adds value.

White-On-White Kitchens

Chip and Joanna popularized the crisp, all-white kitchen, but homeowners are realizing that keeping it spotless is tough. Every smudge, spill, or scratch shows instantly, making upkeep frustrating.

These kitchens can also come across as a little cold if there isn’t enough warmth added back in through texture or color. That’s why more people are mixing in natural wood, stone, or even muted paint tones to keep the space from feeling sterile.

Faux Distressed Furniture

The farmhouse look often included heavily distressed pieces, but the “factory-distressed” trend has lost ground. When everything looks worn out on purpose, it can make a space feel messy rather than inviting.

More people are gravitating toward furniture that shows natural wear over time. Real wood that ages gracefully feels authentic in a way mass-produced distressing can’t replicate. Quality pieces will always outlast trends.

Subway Tile Overload

Classic subway tile got a boost thanks to Chip’s projects, but its overuse has made it less appealing. When it covers every wall, it can start to feel repetitive and lack personality.

Alternatives like handmade-look tiles or larger formats are being used to break things up. People want kitchens and bathrooms that feel unique, not like they came straight out of a standard playbook.

Excessive Open Shelving

Chip helped make open shelving a go-to, but it isn’t always practical. Open shelves look great when perfectly styled, but they collect dust fast and don’t hide everyday clutter.

Many homeowners are finding a balance by mixing open shelves with closed storage. That way, you get the airy look without sacrificing function. Full walls of open shelving are falling out of favor because they’re tough to keep up with.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.