As with anywhere else in the world, British renovation trends do not last forever, making them risky business. Yes, the concepts are often exciting, but if you choose fleeting trends over timeless additions, they could actually reduce the value of your home. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to avoid these as long as you know what to look for, so here is a list of renovation trends that will go out of style quickly.
All-White Kitchens Everywhere
Not so long ago, the gleaming all-white kitchen had its moment, but its impracticality is catching up with Brits all around the country. Scratches, stains, and fingerprints make keeping the space pristine an exhausting task, and even after a deep clean, mess will start to appear again just hours later. Therefore, trends are shifting towards more forgiving colour palettes and textured finishes that hide wear and tear, so be very careful about renovating your kitchen in this way, or your home may never sell.
Open Shelving Overload
Despite once seeming modern and airy, open shelving in kitchens now feels cluttered and messy. They demand a commitment to keeping everything styled and spotless at all times, which, if we’re being realistic, is impossible. Because of this, many homeowners are now opting for cabinets that conceal the everyday chaos of kitchen life, blending storage solutions with practical elegance instead of leaving it all on display.
Barn Doors in the Wrong Spaces
Believe it or not, some people are starting to install sliding barn doors in their homes, despite this being a more American trend. Frankly, they don’t really belong in the UK; while they might look OK in rustic settings, they will most definitely look out of place in modern homes. Ultimately, their limited ability to block noise and light also leaves functionality lacking, whereas classic, solid doors will always be versatile.
Grey-on-Grey Interiors
For years, cool greys dominated our homes, but their starkness is now falling out of favour. Instead, homes are shifting towards warmer tones and layered colours, creating spaces that feel inviting rather than sterile. A splash of personality through bold accents or natural hues is replacing the endless monotony of grey everything, and that’s probably for the best.
Vessel Sinks That Sacrifice Practicality
Don’t be tempted to renovate your bathrooms or kitchen with stylish sinks, because while they may look great in a showroom, they’re just going to frustrate homeowners in daily life. Splashes, difficult cleaning, and awkward heights make them way more hassle than they’re worth. In contrast, integrated sinks or under-mount options are reclaiming their place as the functional and sleek choice for bathrooms, and we’re giving them a warm welcome back.
Faux Industrial Details
For some bizarre reason, industrial-inspired designs, such as exposed pipes and faux brick walls, started to gain popularity a few years back–especially in cities. However, we think they just feel forced, overly edgy, and kind of cringe-worthy. Seriously–even if you like this look, it’s far more likely to deter future buyers or tenants than it is to attract them.
Overly Large Kitchen Islands
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to kitchen islands. Oversized islands can dominate a space, leaving it feeling cramped rather than welcoming. Naturally, this realization is leading many homeowners to prioritise efficient layouts that suit the size of the room, balancing functionality with a sense of openness, rather than claustrophobia.
Statement Floors That Overwhelm
No matter how eye-catching you might initially find bold patterned floor tiles to be, their bright colours and designs can quickly grow tiresome. When these choices dictate the rest of the design, they can limit future updates, removing flexibility from your interior design, whereas timeless floors will always let other design elements take centre stage when needed.
Overcomplicated Smart Home Features
Another renovation trend that could go out of style very fast is the smart home features that are popping up all over Britain. Yes, they’re likely to be the future, but technology moves fast, leaving what feels cutting-edge today to become obsolete tomorrow. Furthermore, overly complicated smart home systems, particularly those with steep learning curves, can frustrate rather than impress, so we’d recommend leaving your home free from smart features unless you plan to live there for the foreseeable future.
Accent Walls That Don’t Match
It might be tempting to decorate your home with a single brightly painted or wallpapered wall, but a lot of people find this approach to be disjointed, especially considering how it clashes with the overall design. At the end of the day, spaces that flow harmoniously, rather than relying on stark contrasts, will always stand the test of time.
Too Many Built-In Fixtures
You should always be careful when it comes to renovating your home with built-ins, such as bookshelves, entertainment units, or even kitchen appliances. Sure, they might look sleek, but they’re starting to fall out of favour, as they can dominate a space without offering flexibility to remove them. Instead, just stick to modular furniture and versatile storage solutions, as these offer just as much style but without the indefinite commitment.
Overuse of Shiplap
What began as a farmhouse staple has now become a ubiquitous trend, even in homes where it feels out of place. Shiplap walls, often used to add texture, are starting to look dated–surely we can all agree on that? On the other hand, cleaner, more contemporary finishes are gaining popularity, and it’s easy to see why. Ultimately, minimalism is making a comeback, leaving shiplap behind.
Glass Cabinets in Kitchens
Back in the ‘90s, transparent cabinets were all the rage, and while they can sometimes still look sleek, they require constant tidying to avoid appearing cluttered. Furthermore, the need to curate what’s inside can feel overwhelming, especially in busy households. As an alternative, go for solid cabinetry with creative interior organisation, and you’ll have practicality without sacrificing aesthetics.
Indoor Water Features
If you’re made of money, you might be thinking about installing fountains or water walls into parts of your home, but we really wouldn’t recommend it. Sure, they might seem luxurious, but they’ll also more than likely feel out of sync with a home’s vibe. Don’t get us started on the maintenance issues like algae build-up and leaks; they’ll quickly become a nightmare to deal with.
Oversized Bathroom Mirrors
While it’s true that large mirrors can bring space and light into a room, stretching them across entire walls is almost always a step too far. It can leave a room feeling cold and impersonal, in contrast to smaller, well-placed mirrors, which add depth, character, and warmth to bathrooms.
Wall-to-Wall Carpeting in Bathrooms
Last but not least, people are finally starting to realize that the comfort of carpet all over the home, especially in bathrooms, isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Frankly, it can be a bit of a disaster, causing serious moisture and hygiene issues in bathrooms. Yes, it was once considered cosy, but this trend is now widely seen as impractical and unhygienic, so it’s probably best to be left in the ‘90s.
