8 decorating trends that fall apart in real life

Trendy décor looks good in magazines or online, but not all of it works well once you’re actually living with it. Some trends are hard to maintain, impractical, or just don’t age well. While they may seem stylish at first, they can turn into frustrations quickly.

If you’ve ever tried a trend and found it messy, hard to clean, or dated within a year, you know how fast they lose their appeal. These are the ones that often look better in photos than in real life.

All-white interiors

White-on-white spaces look clean in pictures, but they’re nearly impossible to maintain. Every scuff, fingerprint, and stain stands out.

Unless you’re ready to clean constantly, all-white homes often end up looking worn quickly. Adding contrast with darker accents makes a space more livable.

Open shelving in kitchens

While it looks stylish, open shelving collects dust and grease fast. Plates and glasses rarely stay picture-perfect once daily use begins.

Cabinets with glass fronts or limited shelving areas work better if you like the look but need practicality.

Oversized furniture

Huge sectionals or oversized chairs dominate a room and limit flexibility. They’re comfortable but often make a space feel crowded.

Scaled-down furniture looks balanced and leaves room for rearranging when needed.

Chalkboard walls

Fun at first, but they smudge easily and constantly need touching up. Chalk dust also creates extra mess in rooms.

Whiteboards, cork boards, or simple framed lists are more practical ways to keep notes or art.

Shiplap everywhere

Shiplap has its place, but using it on every wall makes a home feel dated quickly. It’s also harder to clean than smooth drywall.

Using it sparingly as an accent keeps it fresh without overwhelming a space.

Heavy accent walls in dark colors

Dark accent walls can make a bold statement, but they’re hard to live with long term. They shrink a room visually and don’t always match changing décor.

Lighter, textured accents like wood panels or wallpaper tend to stay in style longer.

Glass-top tables

They look sleek but show every fingerprint, crumb, and streak. Daily upkeep is more work than most people want.

Wood or composite tables are easier to maintain and don’t require constant cleaning.

Trendy tile patterns

Bold tile looks great when first installed, but it can date a kitchen or bathroom quickly. It’s also harder to replace when trends change.

Classic tile with removable accent décor is a better option if you want flexibility.

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