:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/controversial-home-design-trends-OHara-Interiors_Spacecrafting-Photography-4ffee23c13b84cb3af53909de9e9e5ec.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "10 Controversial Home Trends Designers Secretly Love")
Design trends are always shifting, but some are a bit more polarizing than others. If you’ve ever scrolled through your feed or flipped through a magazine and thought, “Wait, people are actually doing that?” you’re not alone. From clashing colors to unconventional materials, some trends consistently leave both designers and homeowners divided.
But here’s the thing: Controversial doesn’t always mean bad. In fact, seeing a pro embrace a trend you previously deemed as “out” or “too risky” can give you permission to pursue an interior scheme that’s true to your taste, whether or not it appeals to anyone else. So, to inspire us all to be a little less risk-averse in our design pursuits, we asked some of our favorite designers to share the sometimes controversial trends they’re unabashedly proud of embracing. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or just curious about what’s making waves (and raising eyebrows) in the design community, consider this our way of saying, “You do you.”
Wall Tapestries
Douglas Friedman, Styling by Mieke ten Have for Jessica Jubelirer Design
Think wall tapestries are reserved just for the collegiate set? Designer Jessica Jubelirer encourages you to rethink that assumption. “While many associate wall tapestries with time spent in college dorm rooms, authentic tapestries are beautiful pieces of artworks steeped with history and craftsmanship,” she says. “Featuring magnificent colors, intriguing patterns, and sumptuous textures, handwoven tapestries can have a huge impact on a space, thanks to their inherent warmth and artistry and should not be overlooked.”
Ornate Wood Furniture
Over the years, dark wood furniture with intricate detailing has fallen out of favor, with many assuming it’ll make your space feel old, dingy, and heavy. “Some designers and clients are still a bit hesitant about embracing more ornate wooden pieces, but I personally love them, especially in small forms like a Victorian side table or game table,” says designer Meghan Jay. “These rich wooden accents not only add a sense of history and charm, but they also make a space feel warm, inviting, and full of character. There’s something about the depth of the wood that makes a room feel lived-in and beautifully timeless.”
Accent Walls
Photo and Design by AD ROIT
Put 20 designers in a room and you can almost guarantee that they’ll remain firmly divided on the subject of accent walls. It’s a love it or hate it type of feature—and designer Madelaine Mayer of AD:ROIT happens to love it. “I know everyone loves to hate an accent wall, but when done well I think they are a fantastic addition to a space,” she says. “Take this accent wall in my own living room for example—I am obsessed with this wallpaper, but I couldn’t live with it on every wall; it would be overwhelming and claustrophobic. Instead, I installed it on the free standing focal wall of the space, grounded it with the bookcases and cabinet, and used a complementary color and motif on the adjacent walls to make the space feel cohesive.”
Open Shelving
Spacecrafting Photography
Often reserved for modern homes, open shelving is a polarizing topic. For some, it’s an opportunity to showcase favorite trinkets or beautiful cookware; for others, it’s a paralyzing addition that causes stress (and extra cleaning). “People worry about dust or cleanability with open shelving, but I’m a big fan,” says Grace Reina Sandoval, a Minneapolis-based design associate for O’Hara Interiors. “This style turns your kitchen into a gallery that shows off your glassware, dishware, and other kitchen accessories, and styling it can be less formulaic than you assume.”
White Bouclé
Amanda Archibald for Seasons For Design
Bouclé has been the fabric du jour for years now, which is perhaps why some designers and industry experts advise staying away from it. “Some say white bouclé’s moment has passed or that it’s been overused, but I disagree—if you love it, keep it,” says designer Lauren Carranza of Seasons For Design. “The texture, cozy feel, and the way it adds depth to a simple white piece makes it timeless in my book. Design is personal, and there’s no expiration date on what brings you joy—so embrace what you love, unapologetically.”
Synthetic Rugs
John Neitzel
Rugs can be one of the largest investments you make for your home. Not only are they the literal foundation of your room, but they’re large and can often be extremely pricey. “A high quality area rug can last decades, but sometimes, especially in complex and challenging NYC spaces, you just need something soft that’s low maintenance, low stakes, and ties the room together,” says Mayer. “Even in shoeless homes, pets, kids, and walking around the city will bring dirt into your space, and there’s nothing wrong with an easy solution.” So, if a synthetic rug is more realistic for your home, Mayer’s all for it.
Bold Kitchen Cabinetry
Spacecrafting Photography
If you’re investing in something as pricey as a full-scale kitchen renovation, your instinct may be to keep things as simple and timeless as possible—but according to Sandoval, that cautious mindset may cause you to miss out on showcasing your personality. “We do bolder or brighter kitchen cabinet colors all the time,” she adds. “People understandably love a white or neutral kitchen, but I’d still encourage you to consider more colorful options. You spend so much time in the kitchen, and color is a great way to make it feel more fun and full of personality. If you don’t want to totally commit to that bold look, you can use color on just your island or just on the perimeter cabinetry.”
Fabric-Wrapped Appliances
Douglas Friedman, Styling by Mieke ten Have for Jessica Jubelirer Design
You may assume you have just two options when it comes to your kitchen appliances: stainless steel or cabinet fronts. Jubelirer, however, likes to take an unexpected route. “Perhaps it’s a bit unorthodox and outside the box, but I have created unforgettable kitchens by wrapping refrigerators in charming, patterned fabrics,” she says. “For a client’s family home, I installed upholstery throughout the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator doors for a warm, elegant, and cohesive effect. The upholstered refrigerator adds a touch of luxury and warmth to the space, to the tune of a historic farmhouse on the English countryside.”
Conversation Pits
The adage “What goes around comes around” can apply to almost any industry, but it’s especially true for design. If you love a trend that was hot in the ‘70s or ‘80s, chances are good it’ll find a place in modern design again sometime soon—even if you’re one of the few who embraces its return. “I love a conversation pit around a fireplace,” says designer Jeanne Barber of Camden Grace Interiors. “It conjures up Mad Men martini vibes, and if I were to build my home from scratch, a conversation pit would 100% be in it, trendy or not.”
Old-School Furniture
What comes to mind when we say “recliner”? If it’s your dad or grandpa chilling in an overstuffed, eyesore of a chair during Sunday football, you’re not alone. The good news? According to designer Taniya Nayak, recliners are back and more stylish than ever. “I just got a new reclining sofa from Arhaus and it’s like my best kept secret,” she says. “No one can tell it’s a reclining sofa, which is such a win. Those old school recliners are an absolute thumbs down in my book, but these newer, more disguised versions of them are fine by me!”
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