Home décor trends come and go. The National Assn. of REALTORS (YES, THE TRADEMARK IS ALL CAPS!) put out it’s list of horrifying design trends of the past year that should go in 2023. Murphy’s Law rang true as right after I read the article I went on a listing appointment that had half of these design trends that are passe-ugh! Here they are:

• Vessel bowl sinks. These are raised sinks and they are a pain in the ass to clean around the base and the counter and some can easily crack;
• Tiled countertops in bathrooms and kitchens. This was a big trend 50 years ago but now one surface, such as a granite countertop are much more popular. Grout in old tiled rooms can get dirty, crack and even get loose;
• A “cloffice’-which became very popular when we had to squeeze everyone at home into various rooms to sleep, work, school, cook and play. Closets turned into offices show that the home doesn’t have enough room for today’s modern living;
• Furniture that is all the same color-like beige;
• Animal prints, especially cow hide rugs and animal print furniture;
• Rainfall showerheads. They may look cool but they have no water pressure!
• Venetian plaster walls. This is ‘stucco put onto a flat wall surface’ to look like limewash and usually done in earthtones. It matched the décor in the next one…
• Tuscan décor-from the 1990’s. It’s heavy looking furniture in dark dark colors designed after interior furniture found in rich old Italian castles;
• Wallpaper or ‘scenic’ murals used as accent walls. If you have to do it, use a peel and stick variety that can be easily removed;

Too many plants. Folks stuck at home during the great pandemic found friends and solace in their house plants. Rare plants became a rage for a year or two but having your house look like a jungle inside is definitely out.

Trends to watch in 2023 include decorating with furniture/paint in shades of blue or muted neutral and warm colors like plumb and mustard, personality-packed rugs, statement window treatments and waterfall islands in the kitchen where the granite or quartz falls down each end so it looks like an inverted ‘U’, listening rooms for audiophiles, statement lamps, light warm wood tones in furniture and flooring, stripes in wall treatments and furniture, statement rugs, gold fixtures instead of brushed nickel, high wood gloss finishes (instead of matte), plaids and subtle tartans in bed dressings, dedicated craft rooms, ‘jewel-box’ (fancier) laundry rooms, and interior archways.

I have always heard that you need to update your interior every five years-with new paint, updated light fixtures, updated flooring, etc. You don’t have to go crazy and spend a ton of money to keep up with the Johansen’s, but you can look just as good as your fancy-schmancy neighbors with thoughtful taste choices and décor.