7 Outdated Home Decor Items To Toss In 2025, According To Southern Designers

March 13, 2025 admin No Comment 1 Views

With the start of a new season just around the corner, it’s time to set some boundaries: What home decor items should you keep, and which should you toss? That dysfunctional chair that feels like it may break every time you sit in it? Toss. That antique quilt with holes in it? Toss. That reproduction piece of art that’s no longer your taste? Consider selling it on Facebook Marketplace or donating at your local Goodwill. Bedding that no longer makes you feel your coziest self? Time to upgrade.

Spring cleaning isn’t the only time to review your home decor and make necessary updates, and it’s never a bad time to reflect on, whether you’re tired of outdated items, going through a design evolution, or looking to invest in pieces you’ll love for the long haul. Curious about what home designers say is out for 2025?

Things To Toss

James Ransom; Styling: Alya Hameedi

Throw Pillows

Minimalists will love this first designer tip. “We are all in on ditching the seven-layer-dip of bed pillows,” says Texas-based Lindsey Hanna. “Invest in a lovely quilt or coverlet and a great set of sheets. You’ll save time making up a simple bed in the morning, and actually be able to sit in that chair in your bedroom.”

Harsh Hardware

Stark, contrasting hardware is so 2024. Reconsider you matte black plumbing. “While ‘black’ will always be in style, 2025 blacks have more warmth to them—think natural oil-rubbed bronze rather than flat black,” says Dallas-based Janelle Patton, principal designer at Lark Interiors.

Heavy or Dark Window Treatments

Georgia-based Meredith McKenzie and Shivani Vyas of The Selective Design believe that heavy, dark, and fringed curtains and valances have to go. “These window treatments can sometimes overwhelm a space and make it feel dated and dingy,” they say. So, what should you choose instead? “We always love opting for classic Roman shades with elegant border trims…floor-to-ceiling curtains in a solid fabric, or a pretty motif paired with woven shades.”

Cool Tones

CW Interiors’ Caron Woolsey also encourages homeowners to shift toward warmer, richer, and more inviting tones this year. “While gray is still a classic neutral, we see cooler, washed-out finishes taking a backseat to deeper, natural wood tones and more vibrant, personality-filled spaces,” she says. If replacing furniture isn’t an option now, balance your space with colorful artwork, textured throws, or lush greenery.

Over-Styled Clutter

Virginia designer Nancy Parrish is moving away from bookshelves that “are overly staged” this year, she says. Instead, “focus on intentional choices where each piece tells a story and contributes to a vibrant and meaningful space.” Take a look at your shelves and remove random decorations to make space for “items that will spark joy and foster connection,” she adds.

Overly-Themed Items

If your home feels matchy-matchy or predictable, look for other ways to showcase your aesthetic with more eclectic items. Designer Alecia Taylor wants you to toss your “over-the-top themed decor, like a “nautical” or “Parisian” style that’s too literal,” she says. Instead, embrace timeless, versatile styles like mid-century modern or pieces that subtly nod to your “personality, travel, or experiences,” she says.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are a relic of the past and will make your home seen uninspired or like a temporary rental. “Once a go-to for sliding glass doors and large windows, traditional plastic vertical blinds have become a design faux pas,” says Taylor Denney of Bloomin’ Blinds. They are clunky, have a tendency to break, and “their lackluster appearance makes them an impractical choice for temporary interiors.”

Modernize via a sleek, fabric-based panel track system, motorized drapery, or sheer vertical shades, a “refined option that diffuses light beautifully while maintaining privacy.”