1. Naked Windows
Minimalism is a popular trend right now. Many people think that they should leave their windows completely bare to give their home a simple, urban, loft-style look. But here’s the truth: You are going to hate those bare windows because there’s zero privacy, zero protection from the sun while you’re trying to sleep in, and your windows look…. Blah! A better idea is to find minimal window treatments. A sheer curtain or wooden blind give you the same look but add some privacy.
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2. Chalkboard Paint
When chalkboard paint came out a few years ago, everyone was obsessed with it. It was cool and new then, but now it should not be used in any area of the home that you want to look put-together. Chalk smudges, and you probably aren't Van Gogh, so it’s in your best interest to ditch the chalkboard paint. Instead, paint an accent wall in a bold color, put up some modern wallpaper, or hang a large piece of art to create a focal point in the room.
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3. Toilet Rugs and (4.) Covers
First of all, do you realize how gross these rugs and covers are? When was the last time you washed them? Secondly, these furry rugs and covers make your bathroom look oh-so dated, even if your other bathroom decor is modern. Ditch this trend altogether, and replace your u-shaped toilet rug with a modern, square rug that can work anywhere in the bathroom, not just by the toilet.
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5. Optical Illusion Prints
Optical illusion prints use to be all the rage. People thought their guests would enjoy staring at them while they were using the restroom or whatever else. Unfortunately, this trend has been so overdone that it just looks tacky. Plus, have you ever seen an optical illusion print that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb?
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6. Hanging Plants
Who came up with this idea in the first place? Hanging plants are a pain to take care of, and they hardly add any visual interest to your home. You’ll fare much better if you remove all those plants from your ceiling, replant them in gold-dipped pots, and arrange them on your kitchen counter or a bookshelf.
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7. Geometric Prints
In the past, bold, diamond-patterned curtains and throw pillows were considered the perfect accent pieces in a home. Now, this trend kind of makes your home look like a college freshman’s dorm room. Instead of choosing overdone prints like Chevron, opt for bold colors. Burgundy, royal blue, purple, or something metallic can be a nice replacement.
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8. Faux Fur
Faux fur is still in when it comes to fashion (for now), but it’s day is done in the home decor world. Faux fur throws and pillows look cheap, especially after they’ve been used a couple of times. To keep that element of texture in your home, invest in some faux (or real) marble or marble-print pieces. Marble is classy, timeless, and it will give your home the fresh look it needs.
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9. Taxidermy
The only place where taxidermy works is in a hunting lodge. Since your home is not a hunting lodge, you have no business hanging a deer head on your living room wall or putting a stuffed raccoon on your mantle. It’s creepy and ugly, and there are significantly better alternatives, like buying an exotic vase with an elephant engraved in it.
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10. Matchy-Matchy Everything
When decorating, many people think that everything in a room has to match everything else perfectly. Don’t think this way for two reasons: You’ll drive yourself nuts, and your house will look like a hospital ward. Mix and match things together that you normally wouldn’t, and if you like it, go with it! A little bit of imperfection is what will keep your home interesting.
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