Outdated Wall Trends Interior Designers Are Sick Of Seeing And What To Do Instead

Your walls are one of the easiest ways to keep your home looking updated. However, the wrong wall decor can make your interior appear outdated and unrefined. From choosing paint colors to adding texture, there is a delicate balance between showcasing your personality and maintaining a stylish space. You should pick a style that speaks to you while still ensuring your home appears curated. The options can easily feel overwhelming, which is why you might want to take a cue from the interior experts themselves.

Luckily, we have some exclusive advice from several top interior designers and decor professionals. House Digest asked these industry authorities what wall trends we should avoid moving forward. If you're on the fence about a few ideas, this advice will help you decide whether to go for it or try a different decorating approach. So before you transform your space, learn about what trends are outdated and how to pull off their new, fresh replacements.

If you want to dip your toe into daring wall decor, it might be tempting to experiment with a single accent wall. However, this visible hesitance can make your interior look amateur. Andrea Sinkin, interior designer at Andrea Sinkin Design, explains exclusively to House Digest that she's over the accent wall trend. She explains, "Commit to the design or just don't do it. But doing one wall of wallpaper, or one wall paneling, or one wall of shiplap just looks cheap. It immediately dates the space." In fact, shiplap itself has landed on several lists of outdated decor. 

In Sinkin's opinion, bigger is better. Even if your space isn't everyone's taste, guests will admire your commitment to the aesthetic. She elaborates, saying, "If you want wallpaper, do the whole room. If you want paneling do the whole room. And if you can't afford to do the whole room, then just keep your wall solid and go to HomeGoods and get some big pieces of art!" Bold, floral wallpaper is having a massive comeback, and it's the perfect opportunity to go big with your wall decor. So, for trendy wallpaper, consider a pattern like NextWall's Acanthus Floral Peel and Stick Wallpaper. If your goal is still to make a single surface pop, create a custom shelving wall, a functional living room trend replacing outdated accent walls. 

It may be tempting to add texture to your walls, but it's important to make sure that you don't utilize a technique that doesn't suit your space. Alice Moszczynski, interior designer at Planner 5, exclusively tells House Digest readers why Venetian plaster walls might date your home. She explains, "Venetian plaster walls have had a strong run, but I'm finding them overused to the point where they've lost their specialness. They were a luxurious way to add texture and depth, but now I see them used in spaces where the architecture or styling doesn't support that level of detail, making the finish feel forced rather than intentional." 

This is an excellent example of how leaning too hard into trends can actually backfire in the long run. There are tons of mistakes everyone makes when using Venetian plaster, but one of the major errors is assuming it suits every space. Using it in sleek, contemporary spaces or with other elements that don't jive with the texture can create an off-putting contrast.

Moszczynski offers a few more universal alternatives, suggesting, "I'd consider exploring wallpaper or other paint finishes instead. Limewash delivers that beautiful, layered movement, but with a more relaxed, lived-in feel that works in both modern and traditional spaces without overwhelming the room." A lived-in, organic appearance is extremely popular throughout current design trends, and natural, cozy decor has the benefit of always looking effortlessly chic. For a simple way to create character, try out the look with a peel-and-stick option like Bumoo Beige Limewash Wallpaper.

Wide stripes were a popular trend just a couple of years ago, but trends can change quickly. This year, there is a massive shift away from striking striped decor. Lucy Harrison, interior designer at SouthPark Interiors, shares exclusive advice with our readers: "Subtle stripes can still work, but bold, high-contrast ones can overwhelm a space and strain the eyes, especially depending on the color palette. Instead, choose a rich paint color and let it shine." Rather than relying on patterns for visual interest, go for eye-catching textures and colors with a subtler approach when incorporating patterns.

Although large stripes might be making their way out, there are still a few classy ways to decorate your home with stripes. As Harrison mentioned, subtle stripes are one alternative to consider — especially if you combine them with texture. For example, try matte, textured tiles with vertical grooves for backsplashes or shower walls. Another tile-inspired approach is to add thin stripes of accent tiles. The key is to make the stripes look naturally integrated rather than out of place. You can also opt for wallpaper, as per Harrison's recommendation. A textured version, like Manhattan Comfort's Natalie Series, features subtle stripes that can be painted any hue you choose.

According to our expert, you should resist the urge to paint arches on your walls. This once-trendy technique will keep your home stuck in the past. Anastasiia Amani, interior designer at the Cruise & Hospitality Division at Big Time Studios, exclusively tells HouseDigest, "First thing that pops into my head are those painted arches and half-height color blocks. They had their big moment during the lockdown years, but now they just scream 'DIY from 2019.' They tend to break up a space in strange ways." This is especially true if the style of your home doesn't naturally suit arches. While they can suit a Spanish or Mediterranean-style home, more traditional American architecture might not be the best fit.

There are tons of ways to create visual interest while keeping your interior looking timeless. Amani elaborates, saying, "Personally, I'd much rather see walls done in tonal layering — say, one color in two close shades stacked vertically — or a continuous wainscot in the same hue. It stretches the room and feels so much more intentional." The two-tone wall trend is a subtle yet impactful way to add depth. One of the most popular color combinations is a deep blue lower wall paired with a white or cream upper portion. For inspiration, these are the top 5 creative ways to bring the two-tone wall trend into your home.

For another accent wall faux-pas, some designers are urging homeowners to get more selective with their choice of wood panels. Although wood paneling is back in a big way, you should make sure it is actually adding value to your space. Amani explains, "Another one I've really had enough of is the cookie-cutter slat wall. You know the ones — identical thin wooden ribs behind every TV unit on Instagram. They rarely add anything beyond looking like a quick trend copy." A trend for trend's sake is a recurring design flaw, according to the pros. And even though aesthetics are important, don't add a trendy touch without reason.

That being said, Amani doesn't think you need to forgo textured wood surfaces altogether. She says: "What feels fresher now is either real millwork that has function (storage, acoustics) or ribbed surfaces done in a subtler way — painted the same color as the wall, so the relief is tactile but not shouting at you." Fluted wood is currently taking over the design world and offers a more low-profile approach to a slatted wall, especially if you follow Amani's advice on painting the textured addition. 

If there's one thing that the designers agree on, it's that a visible lack of commitment is a major no-no. So when you're curating your personal space, the pros advise against decisions that look like a quick fix or thoughtless install. Amani explains, "And then there's shiplap and those quick-install board-and-batten treatments. They worked when everyone was leaning into farmhouse style, but in 2025, they just feel like staging tricks." In fact, there are many outdated farmhouse design trends that are being replaced in 2025, and overdone shiplap is one of them.

The options to add texture to your walls are practically endless. Amani echoes Moszczynski's advice above, advocating for subtler sources of texture. She states: "Instead, I think simple v-groove paneling, or even just a great limewash or mineral paint, adds far more authenticity without making a home feel like a set." If you want to explore the limewash trend, make sure to use a sealant – especially if the room is exposed to humidity or moisture.

There are several ways designers pick the perfect shade of paint, and one way is through the process of elimination. One color some experts are eager to eliminate? Cold, sterile grays. Amani expands on this, saying, "Color-wise, I'm definitely over the cold contractor grays. They flatten everything, especially in low-light rooms, and make spaces feel icy." This out-of-date trend of drenching everything in cool neutrals has been dubbed "Millennial Gray," and that's not a positive nickname.

If you're not on board with maximalism and bright colors, you don't have to give up neutrals completely. It's all about finding neutrals that bridge the gap between cool and warm. Amani specifies, "What I recommend to clients now are warmer neutrals with depth — mushroom, putty, stone tones. They play nicely with both warm woods and cooler metals, so you get longevity." Try Sherwin-Williams Mushroom for a light, welcoming taupe shade. Or for a more daring option, go with the darker Driftwood by Benjamin Moore.

Sometimes, quality is more important than visual interest. If you feel tempted to add texture but you're working on a strict budget, resist the urge to explore three-dimensional solutions. Peel-and-stick wallpaper or synthetic panels that mimic the look of real wall texture can look inexpensive and tacky in person. Amani explains, "Foam stone panels, fake brick... they might look clever online, but in real life they cheapen a space fast." Just because something looks intriguing in photos doesn't mean it will have the same impact in real life.

If your budget doesn't allow you to add real stone or brick, you can still create a space that looks expensive with less dramatic upgrades. Amani advises, "I'd much rather use natural textures, even in small doses, or clay and mineral paints that give you depth without pretending to be something else." When applying mineral paint, it's important to maintain a wet edge to ensure smooth, even coverage without visible lines. If you're unable to paint the entire room because of budgetary restraints, plan ahead and choose a natural stopping point, such as a corner or doorway.