Interior Design Micro Trends to Avoid

Microtrends in the interior design space can be a costly expense if you buy into them! 

It is a lot more difficult to change an entire space in your home than it is to just buy into micro fashion trends which you can throw out easily.

This is why in this blog post, I’m exploring the top micro trends that have already exited the interior design space (more quickly than they arrived) or trends that are on their way out. 

So, you can make sure to avoid these interior design micro trends in your home!

What are Interior Design Micro Trends?

But first…what exactly are micro trends?

Micro trends are a phenomenon where a large group of people are influenced to buy a specific thing usually by celebrities or a collection of people online. 

Microtrends tend to last only a few years or even a few months before suddenly they are no longer popular. 

They are often the type of trends that we look back on and think, ‘What were we thinking?’

The Top Interior Design Micro Trends To Avoid

Now you know what a micro trend is, here are the top interior design micro trends to avoid.

1. Sliding Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors. Love them? Or hate them?

We’re kicking off this list of the top interior design micro trends with sliding barn doors

If I’m honest, I can still be quite partial to a sliding barn door, in the right context.

However, this is a micro trend that was popular out of seemingly nowhere and then quickly disappeared.

Although the look can be quite cool in certain homes, for the most part, these doors are completely impractical.

These doors are not great for blocking light sounds or smells.

Unless your house is leaning into the farmhouse trend you should probably avoid this micro trend.

Photo: Pexels

2. Modern Minimalism 

After the Kardashians showed off their houses online and on their show, we were all guilty of leaning into the micro interior design trend of modern minimalism, right?

You know the type of architecture that looks like the home has never been lived in?

Yeah, well this trend is quickly declining. Hallelujah! 

I’m glad to see this trend go as I far prefer homes with a little more character.

 

Photos: Good Moods

3. Bench Dining Tables

I’m undecided on bench dining tables.

Whilst the design is certainly unique and can be a great focal point in a dining room, let’s be honest when we talk about this trend and say it’s uncomfortable!!

Not having backs on the dining chairs can make sitting down to eat your favourite meal of the day more stressful than relaxing 

I think most people who bought into this trend have quickly switched out the backless benches to dining chairs - so at least it’s a versatile trend.

 

Photo: Next

4. All White Everything

All white everything was bordering on a macro trend, however, I would still consider this a micro trend as it disappeared very quickly. 

Having an all white kitchen with a few black accents or an all white living room left little to the imagination and as we all lean into more charming homes, this was one of the interior design micro trends that couldn't stand the test of time.

 

Photos: Pinterest

5. Curved Sofas

So many people were once leaning into the mid-century design of curved sofas and again, you either love them or hate them,

I’m not sure where I fall on this yet, but in my opinion, they don’t look comfortable at all. 

These sofas often feel exclusive which is not the vibe you’re looking for in a lounge or living room. Whilst elegant, they perhaps aren't the most practical or comfortable. 

 

Photos: Homary

6. Open Plan Layouts

As we move into an era of creating more cosy homes, we are bidding farewell to open-plan layouts.

Most people are working to create more intimate and purposeful environments and open-plan layouts can often feel sterile and unwelcoming. 

Image: Pinterest

7. The All Grey Aesthetic

We can all now admit now that the all grey aesthetic never truly looked great, right?

There was once upon a time when all we wanted was an all grey interior - no matter which room in the house we were redecorating, 

And I don’t doubt that we truly believed that it looked great at the time but now…

Even the hardcore fans who still defend this trend are gradually moving to hues of greens, blues and more earthy tones.

 

Photos: Pinterest

Key Takeaways Interior Design Micro Trends to Avoid  

These are all the top interior design micro trends that we’ve seen in the past couple of years that we are no longer taking into our future.

Although you can never fully predict when or if an interior design is going to resurface for the most part I’m happy to see these interior design micro trends go. 

What did you think? Let me know in the comments if you like any of these micro trends and are waiting for them to come back!