3 Dated Trends to Remove From Your Home in 2026
If you're looking to elevate your home in 2026, it might not be about adding more—it might simply be time to let a few tired trends go.
At Mirra Interiors, we believe truly styled homes are about intention, not clutter. And that sometimes means editing out what no longer serves the space (or your style). So if your home is still hanging onto these once-popular design trends, consider this your loving nudge into a more elevated, curated era.
Here are three things an interior designer would love you to let go of in 2026—and what to do instead.
1. Retire the Wall Decals: “Live Laugh Love” Isn’t a Vibe Anymore
Let’s just say it: the farmhouse-sign era had a serious moment.
Between 2015 and 2019, you couldn’t walk into a home without spotting a “Blessed,” “Gather,” or “But First, Coffee” decal curling slightly at the edges — usually above a buffet or coffee station, often in cursive script.
It was a time.
But in 2026? We’ve evolved.
Those decals might’ve felt cosy and personal once, but now they make even the most well-styled spaces feel like they’re stuck in a Pinterest time warp. They flatten what could be a beautifully layered wall into something overly literal — like your home’s trying too hard to explain itself.
What to Do Instead:
Your walls don't need to literally speak so ditch the slogans and add interest with real art or texture:
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Invest in real art.
Abstract prints, minimalist photography, or local artist pieces instantly elevate a room. Look for art that reflects your mood or your materials — not your morning mantra. The bigger the better!
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Add texture and depth.
Try woven wallpaper, or tall floor sculptures in front of a bare wall that cast soft shadows as the light moves through the day.
Texture adds quiet drama — no words required.
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Curate, don’t clutter.
Create a neutral gallery wall with mixed frames, tones, and spacing.
Keep it loose and layered — it should feel collected, not overthought.
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Bring in architectural elements.
Think oversized wall mirrors, black sconces, or curved wall shelves that double as art. They add function and personality without shouting for attention.
Design note: Your home doesn’t need to tell people what to feel. If it’s designed well, they’ll feel it anyway.
Related: Shop Statement Wall Decor explore art, mirrors, and sculptural pieces curated to bring subtle statement energy to your walls.
2. Say Goodbye to Matching Furniture Sets
You know the look: the seven-piece bedroom suite where everything matches — the bed, the bedsides, the dresser, the mirror, even the handles. It’s easy and convenient, sure. But it’s also a little… predictable and bland.
That kind of uniformity might have felt polished once, but today? It screams catalogue, not considered.
Perfectly matched furniture flattens a room. It leaves no space for contrast, no tension, no personality. And a truly beautiful home — the kind that feels collected rather than constructed — needs all three.
What to Do Instead:
Think curated, not copied.
You want your pieces to speak to each other — not shout in unison.
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Mix materials and finishes.
Contrast is your best friend. Try oak with rattan, linen with matte black, or marble paired with timber.
The blend of textures is what brings warmth and authenticity to a space.
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Balance new and vintage.
A touch of vintage instantly breaks up the “just unboxed” look.
Pair that new sleek bed with a mid-century bedside or a time-worn timber stool. It adds soul and tells a story — your story.
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Coordinate, don’t duplicate.
Instead of matching everything, look for design threads that connect — tone, texture, proportion.
A walnut bedside can still sit beautifully beside an oak bed if the tones feel harmonious.
Pro Tip: Already have a matching suite? No stress — just break it up with contrast. Swap the bedsides, add an upholstered bedhead, layer in art or statement lighting, and suddenly it feels collected and intentional, not matchy.
Related: Explore Curated Furniture and discover designer-selected pieces that bring contrast, texture, and soul to every room.
3. Overly Themed Rooms (Step Away from the Shells & Starfish!)
Beach-themed bathrooms. Parisian bedrooms with Eiffel Tower lamps. Tuscan kitchens covered in grapes and wrought iron.
We’ve all seen them — and maybe, once upon a time, we even loved them.
They were an easy way to create a vibe before Pinterest and moodboards ruled our design choices.
But here’s the problem: themes rarely age gracefully.
Why It Doesn’t Work:
Themes are like costumes — fun for a night, exhausting to live in.
When every single item in a room is telling the same story (“I’m coastal!” “I’m Paris!” “I’m wine country!”), it starts to feel more like a movie set than a home.
Even when beautifully styled, overly themed rooms lack nuance.
There’s no tension, no surprise — just repetition.
Design works best when there’s a little restraint. When you hint at an influence, not recreate it scene-for-scene.
What to Do Instead:
Draw from your favourite aesthetic, but interpret it subtly:
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For Coastal Spaces:
Skip the anchor motifs and shell garlands.
Instead, lean into feeling, not décor.
Use natural textures like linen, rattan, driftwood, and pale timber. Layer with soft whites, sandy neutrals, and ocean-inspired blues — not literal ocean décor.
Think “Byron calm,” not “beach gift shop.”
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For a Parisian Touch:
Ditch the Eiffel Tower lamp (we promise, no one in Paris owns one).
Embrace antique-style lighting, curved furniture, and classic neutrals — the kind that whisper history, not holler tourist souvenir.
Layer textures like velvet, marble, and brushed brass for that refined, lived-in elegance.
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For Tuscan Warmth:
You don’t need grapes on your backsplash to evoke Italy.
Channel the feeling of sun-drenched simplicity with warm stone, aged timber, terracotta, and olive tones.
It’s about natural materials and a sense of comfort — not wallpapered wine motifs.
Designer Insight: Let the mood guide you—not the merchandise section of a theme store.
Related: Shop Curated Décor —— explore designer-selected pieces that blend influence with intention (no seashells required).
Other Interior Trends That Are Out in 2026:
- Crystals glued to light fittings (you know the ones)
- Mass-produced faux succulents in little white pots
- Grey-on-grey-on-grey colour palettes
- Glass TV units and chrome furniture from the 2000s
- Overly distressed “farmhouse chic” anything
- Word art and slogan cushions (if it tells you to relax, it probably won’t)
These elements tend to make your space feel dated, impersonal, or overly manufactured. Swapping in timeless, tactile, and neutral elements can instantly refresh the feel of your home.
Ready to Refresh for 2026?
If you’re feeling unsure about what to change or how to evolve your style without starting from scratch, we’ve got you.
Book a 1-hour design session with Mirra Interiors and let us help you edit your space, refine your finishes, and create a look that feels curated, elevated, and completely yours.
👉 Book Your Design Session Here
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