With each new year comes the opportunity to start fresh, rejuvenate your style, and take a new approach to your home decor. Everyone has their own unique taste, but the beginning of the year is the perfect time to get inspired by the newest, sought-after trends and try to reimagine your living space. You can go all out and embrace something entirely new, or you can tweak your style to make it more contemporary.

As you know, trends oftentimes go out of style and make a comeback when you least expect it. So you may see some of these old things until they gain popularity again in a few years. For now, we will make sure you stay on top of the newest trends, as well as inform you about the ones that aren’t so hot anymore. In this article, we will cover all of the bases when it comes to what outdated decorating trends you can leave in the past.

Bathroom Trends to Avoid

There are plenty of trends that we already know are out of style, but some trends you might not be aware of went out of style this past decade. Let’s cover all the bases and look at what is in or out for the new year.

Ditch the Clutter

It’s important to think about the functionality of your space instead of just how it looks. Interior design is based on more than appearance. You should strive to build a space that is not only beautiful but addresses your health and wellbeing. Cluttered spaces are one of the bathroom trends to avoid this year.

Having tons of items crowding your bathroom will gather dust and make it harder to clean. Believe it or not, clutter has also been proven to decrease your mood and increase your stress level. With all of this in mind, focus on making your bathroom clean, organized and relaxing. Declutter crowded countertops and shelving.

Oversized Tubs

Another trend that seems to be losing popularity is the use of oversized tubs. They are quickly becoming one of the decorating trends to avoid.

Sometimes bigger is better, but not when it comes to something in your bathroom space. Having a tub that is large enough to comfortably soak and relax in is fine, but anything larger is less desirable. An oversized tub takes up precious space, which can leave your bathroom feeling cramped and uncomfortable.

Granite Countertops

The use of granite countertops in your bathroom has made it on the list not necessarily for being outdated or out of style, but because there are a couple of other options to explore. Since 2016, the use of granite countertops has been in decline. Homeowners are turning to other materials, like quartz or limestone.

While granite is typically cut from pure stone slabs, engineered quartz is a composite of ground quartz and resin, making it the stronger, more durable material. Limestone is a great option to explore as well because, aside from its growing popularity and its ability to add value to your home, it’s an alternative to marble because of its remarkable resemblance. Marble is loved but it’s also more expensive, which makes limestone such a popular choice. While granite isn’t necessarily one of the outdated decorating trends to avoid, it may be something to consider swapping out for another material just for the sake of changing things up.

Elaborate Lighting Fixtures

Elaborate and garish lighting fixtures are becoming less popular as the years go by and, as such, are one of many decorating trends to avoid. A fantastic alternative to chandeliers or other bold lighting fixtures in your bathroom is the use of recessed lighting. This type of lighting has become increasingly popular over the last decade, one of the main reasons being that it can make even a small bathroom feel larger.

If you have a tiny bathroom and you want to give the illusion of a more spacious room, it may be a good idea to consider installing recessed lighting. It’s also great because you get to choose where you want your lighting focal points to be, like over the tub, shower, and sink.

Glass Block Windows

Glass block windows may ensure a bit more privacy when it comes to utilizing them in your bathroom space, but they have faded in popularity and made the list for bathroom trends to avoid. Glass Block windows date back to the 1900s, and they do give an outdated impression.

You often chose windows for the natural light that they emit. A more up-to-date window trend is to go big or go home, and allow a ton of light and air into a room to open it up and make it feel larger. Glass Block windows only serve to make a bathroom seem smaller simply due to their cloudy appearance and inability to let in as much light. If you are looking to change something about your bathroom but you don’t know where to start, try removing the glass blocks.

Use of Copper

There’s no doubt that using copper in your bathroom once made headlines. It was a bold design move. It demanded the attention of anyone who entered, and it was incredibly unique for some time. Now, the use of copper has lost its luster and has become one of the bathroom trends to avoid.

When it comes to fixtures, buyers gravitate toward chrome, brushed or satin nickel, and stainless steel. All of these materials are versatile, durable, and they go with practically anything. Metals like brass and bronze are more favorable since they stand up to moisture and heavy usage quite well.

Fish Scale Tiles

Fish scale tiles may be the perfect option for the fan of ocean-inspired decor, but not for many other people. This is a very important thing to keep in mind if you ever plan to sell your home. This style of tile isn’t the most popular among buyers.

If you are hooked on mermaids or you love the look of scales, we suggest steering clear from this trend. Try ocean-themed artwork instead.

What’s Trendy? What’s Not?

Now that we have gone over some decorating trends that won't be joining us in the new year, let’s look at some more specific wall and accessory decorating trends that might become dated.

Is crown molding outdated?

Is wood trim outdated?

Are curtains outdated?

Are jetted tubs out of style?

The idea of a jetted tub may be appealing, but it’s actually becoming a bathroom trend to avoid due to it being less functional and more expensive than a regular tub.

Jetted tubs are noisy and can be distracting when you are trying to soak peacefully. They tend to completely drain traditional hot water tanks and result in high-energy costs. They are bulky and call for more space. Moreover, they often require more maintenance due to many mechanical elements being involved. While jetted tubs aren’t out of style for aesthetic reasons, they are going out of style due to lack of functionality.

Are chrome fixtures out of style?

Are travertine floors outdated?

Are cornice boards outdated?

Not necessarily, it depends on the cornice board and the look you want. Fabric cornice boards can, at times, lend an outdated look while the wood-alternative can look much more modern and stylish when used over blinds and shades. They can be deliberately styled to look antique along with the rest of the decor, or they can be styled to look very modern.

Cornice boards add firm lines to the window, making them appear longer and grander. They also can hide the head-rail of curtains.

Your Perfect Bathroom. It’s Closer Than You Think

Now that you know about all of these outdated decorating trends, you will be able to create the perfect bathroom space in your home, one that is comfortable, stylish, and renewed. If you want inspiration for bathroom designs that are actually trendy, perhaps you’d like to read our article about Master Bathroom Ideas. Bath Fitter’s timeless styles allow you to experiment with whatever trends are current because our tubs and showers go with everything, and we have the perfect selection for whatever route you plan on taking. Whenever you are ready to start renovating, be sure to keep us in mind.