6 Outdated Design Trends That Designers Say Are Actually Cool Again

Trend cycles are moving quicker than ever, even in interior design. You can blame it on the internet or consumer culture, but there is some good news.

If you made a design choice that is now deemed dated, there's a good chance it will be back in style again soon.

Just in case you need reassurance, here are five examples of outdated design trends that are once again mainstream, according to designers.

Arches

According to Greenfeld, arches became so oversaturated that they lost their impact. But they're back after a much-needed break, and designers are using them with more intention.

"Arches became synonymous with the Tuscan-inspired homes that plagued the tract home sector in the mid-2000s," Greenfeld says. "But they're back to the forefront—arches thoughtfully create interest and add softness."

Hanging Plates

This returning trend is one you may have seen in your grandma's house, and it's perfect for all the the cottagecore and grandmillennial lovers out there. A hanging set of mixed-matched plates knows no age now.

"This trend fell out after the '70s but has been making a comeback," Harrison says. "I think it came back when the fashion trend of grandpa-chic made its way in."

Harrison says if you want to jump on this design bandwagon, experiment with different arrangments before hanging them and have a little fun with patterns and sizes.

White and Colored Appliances

Gone are the days when stainless steel and black appliances were considered your only options for a trendy kitchen. That's right; white fridges are back!

We're not talking about basic white appliances here, but sleek ones that blend form and function. Blinn credits the return of white appliances to one manufacturer in particular.

"Café Appliances has done a great job of reinventing the look of white appliances and making them chic with elements like gold hardware," she says.

Closed Floor Plans

Knocking down walls right and left has been quite the rage for some time, but now, we're actually seeing designers recommend adding walls.

"Everyone seemed to love open floor plans for a while, us included," Greenfeld says. "But, people began to realize that separation and privacy were more important for daily household functions."

He also notes that having separate spaces and a closed floor plan creates more intimate environments within a home.

Checkerboard Floors

It's another return of a classic: checkerboard floors are once again popping up left and right.

"Checker floors are a total statement and have been around for a long time," Harrison says. "The use of contrasting tones and tile floors with a bold impact is what brought this trend back to life."

Oak Cabinetry

This one is great news for all of you who love natural wood tones. If you've been avoiding oak cabinetry for fear of your kitchen looking a bit '90s, you can proceed with confidence.

Oak cabinetry is back but in a different form from the once-loved beveled red oak version. This time around, it's white oak with clean lines that's taking center stage.

"We've tapped into the fact that white oak cabinets are able to be stained in a beautiful array of shades and colors without that unfortunate orange tint that was found when trying to play around with red oak," Greenfeld says.

Source: https://www.thespruce.com/design-trends-that-are-back-in-style-8726564