These 13 Forgotten Home Trends Are Suddenly Cool Again

Popular trends come and go… and come back around again. In fact, while every generation puts its own spin on home design, much of what is popular today is a revival of a bygone fashion. Here are just a handful of design trends that are back in the limelight after a fall from favor.

Stainless steel and rose gold have each had their moments recently, but now it’s brass’s time to shine (again). When used for hardware and fixtures, this popular metal brings color and warmth to a kitchen, bathroom, or even a living room or outdoor living space.

Related: 7 House Trends That Are On The Way Out in 2018

For a time, open shelves and glossy minimalist cabinets were all the rage in kitchens. In these interiors, painstakingly stacked dishes and glassware doubled as both necessities and curated decor, but the revealing look wasn’t for everybody and left some homeowners feeling overexposed. Today, the classic cabinet is making a comeback, and homeowners are spoiled for choice when it comes to types of materials, colors, stain, and hardware options. 

Related: 12 Vintage Kitchen Features We Were Wrong to Abandon

Until very recently, walking into a room with wood paneling felt like stepping back into the 1970s. In fact, at the start of a renovation old-school paneling is often one of the first things to go. But thanks to popular home makeover shows and a little rebranding, wall paneling has seen a resurgence over the past few years. To distinguish today’s paneling from the maligned versions of yesteryear, many designers are installing shiplap or tongue and groove, and painting it bright white to counter any lingering connections between wall paneling and dark, gloomy interiors.

Related: 17 Times Shiplap Made the Room

You can pull out your trinkets from storage and toss a few extra throw pillows onto the couch. Maximalism is taking over minimalism’s popularity. While clean surfaces and sleek furniture has been the rage the last few years, maximalism is making a comeback. Show off your interests and let your style shine with this trend. 

Unless you have a woefully brown thumb, you’ve probably always had a few houseplants in your living space. These days, though, houseplants have achieved such a level of popularity among nature-starved homeowners that it’s not uncommon to see entire rooms transformed into indoor jungles. Harking back to the 1970s, folks are ready to embrace the health benefits of indoor plants and use them as living decor. Thanks to the wide range of options available at local nurseries, garden centers, and online shopping sites, finding unusual houseplants—beyond the basic spider plant—is now easier than ever.

Related: 7 Ways to Buy Yourself a Green Thumb for Under $40

Wallpaper has been slowly and steadily making its way back into homeowners’ good graces. Forget the cringeworthy floral patterns of the 1980s! Today’s vendors offer bold, modern, and design-friendly options like nothing you’ve ever seen. Homeowners these days can even take more creative license with using wallpaper throughout the home: Apply it to every wall in a room, or paint three walls and paper the fourth for a playful accent wall that pops.

Related: 12 Photos That Prove Wallpaper Still Wows

Who doesn’t love a white kitchen? Luscious subway tile, bright quartz countertops, and white cabinets can be stunning, but the monochromatic look can feel monotonous after a while. That’s why color is making a comeback in the kitchen. No, you won’t see the burnt oranges and avocado greens of the 1970s; today’s pops of color are brighter and breezier, and they pair well with white, adding color and energy without saddling the room with too much visual weight.

Related: The 14 Freshest Kitchen Cabinet Colors

For some, there’s nothing more relaxing than unwinding in a hot bath. And thanks to an increased focus on self-care in these stressful times, many of today’s homeowners are craving a luxurious stand-alone tub in their bathrooms.

Related: Bathroom Envy: 15 Jaw-Dropping Rooms We Love

Today’s homeowners want charming interiors that convey a story and spark interest—no matter when the home was built. This desire could explain why tin ceilings are enjoying a revival of late. The style adds a vintage touch and yet feels totally modern at the same time.

Related: 11 Doable Ways to DIY a Basement Ceiling

Before they were relegated to the patio, cane and rattan furniture were sported in groovy interiors. About 50 years later, they’ve found their way back inside. From intricate bed frames to woven chairs, this style adds texture and a natural element to your decor. 

Hardwood floors will always be popular, but the “it” color of stain changes over the years. With influence from Scandinavian design, light-colored wood floors are replacing the once common dark, cherry wood tones. While lighter-colored floors require more upkeep—take off those muddy shoes!—they boast design benefits like, for instance, making a room feel bigger and brighter.

Related: 7 Ways You May Be Ruining Your Wood Floors

Looking for a neutral shade? Beige is back. The soft hue was a hit in the ’90s—from the couch to the carpet to the walls—but took a step back while bright whites and cool grays took over in the aughts. While ’90s beige was drab, today’s styling is anything but. Consider painting your kitchen cabinets this subtle shade or select bedding in the color for a relaxing guest room.

Open floor plans have been on everyone’s must-have lists for the last 15 years, but over the course of this time homeowners have discovered that the lack of walls also means lack of personal space. Open floor plan houses are noisy and offer little privacy from one another besides the bedroom. More and more homeowners are putting up walls to separate living areas and create designated spaces.