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Decoist

Outdated Furniture Trends That Are Ruining Your Home’s Aesthetic

07:37

Furniture trends come and go over the years, but some hang around in your home far longer than they ought to, slowly pulling down the vibe and making your place seem dated. What worked in the past might not suit your space anymore, but since we get used to our own furniture, we sometimes lose sight of any… let’s call them ‘aesthetic challenges’ they might present. Let’s take a look at some outdated furniture trends that might be ruining your home’s vibe and what you can do about it.

Heavy, Dark Wood Furniture

Once a symbol of luxury, dark wood furniture has fallen out of favor in many modern homes. While it seems timeless on its face, dark wood in particular really weighs a space down when overused, especially in smaller rooms. Instead, consider either sticking to lighter woods or lessening the amount of dark wood pieces you have in one area. You still get the luxury of solid wood furniture, but without the cramped feeling that too much dark wood can sometimes give.

A modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets and dining table.
Photo Credit: Envato Elements / LightFieldStudios

Faux Leather

Faux leather was once considered a budget-friendly alternative to the real deal, but now, people can really tell the difference. It looks different, it feels different, and worst of all, it peels, wearing out much faster than real leather. From a design perspective, it lacks the warmth, comfort, and quality of real leather. Either swap faux leather for the real thing, or for other organic fabrics like cotton, linen, or wool. These materials age so much better and can elevate any room without the fake feel.

Orange leather sofa with with white wall in background with home plant.
Photo Credit: Envato Elements /

Overly Ornate Details

A big part of design is mixing textures, and ornately detailed or flourished items are very textured. Too much of that and your room will feel busy, stuffy, even uncomfortable as your eye won’t know where to settle. Instead, try balancing complexly decorated items with simple, clean ones. A ritzy antique coffee table with a modern couch, or a candelabra next to a modern sculpture. You can celebrate the beautiful detail without it being overwhelming!

Antique wood furniture. Classic chairs on the carpet. The art of carving.
Photo Credit: Envato Elements / stockfilmstudio

Overstuffed Sofas and Chairs

Comfort is key, yes, but oversized, overstuffed furniture is slowly becoming a thing of the past. These bulky pieces take up too much space and make rooms feel cluttered, even if you’ve kept the rest of the space minimal. Sleeker, more tailored seating options not only provide just as much comfort but also keep the room looking open and airy. When you focus on style and function, your furniture won’t completely consume your living space.

Sofa with plaid and cup of tea. Place for relaxation. Moderm room interior
Photo Credit: Envato Elements / Lazy_Bear

Fake Vintage Items

Replicas of vintage pieces can be charming, but when they’re overly mass-produced, they can start to feel like, well, just that—replicas. Fake vintage often lacks the authenticity and soul of true antiques, and though they might look real, that phony feel still comes through. Instead of relying on mass-produced vintage-look furniture, consider curating actual vintage pieces that speak to your style. It’s a longer process and requires a bit more work, but they add real character to your home, making it something truly unique.

White commode with plants and handmade wool decoration.
Photo Credit: Envato Elements / romankosolapov

Your home should reflect who you are now, not who you were five years ago. Furniture trends that were once popular may not hold up to today’s standards, but updating your space doesn’t have to be a huge overhaul. By swapping out even one of these outdated trends, you can refresh your home’s aesthetic and create a whole new, more welcoming space.

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Posted By : Daniel Mitchell

Home Design Ideas

A Century Reimagined in this Three-Room Apartment

07:29

Some spaces tell stories from the past—others must have them coaxed gently back to life. AR09, a project by Kodd Bureau, is one such revival. This project, a three-bedroom apartment, is tucked inside a century-old building. It had been stripped of its soul by time and transformation. What remained was a structure begging for meaning—one that could honor its history without being bound by it.

Rather than replicate the past, AR09 reimagines it. The apartment now lives in quiet dialogue with its origins. The result is a space where legacy meets modern life and where stillness coexists with strength.

ligne roset togo sofa
wooden shelving
sculptural side table
open floor plan
smoke glass pendant lights
wooden dining table with gray chairs
wooden kitchen cabinets
large potted plant

In AR09, the living room, dining area, and kitchen aren’t segregated using walls. Instead, textures and tonal transitions do the job.

The living area is softly sculptural. A pair of gray tufted sofas curve gently around a low table. The muted palette allows the tactile richness of the textiles to shine, while the rounded shapes bring a sense of movement to an otherwise linear space. The oak-clad walls that envelop the room feel less like panels and more like architecture in conversation with history.

Flowing effortlessly into the dining space, a minimalist oak table anchors the room with its quiet confidence. Surrounding it, mid-century inspired gray chairs add elegance. Above, a trio of smoky glass pendant lights adds depth.

Tucked just beyond is the kitchen, where we again see wooden tones. Here, minimalist cabinetry conceals function behind flat oak fronts. A gray stone countertop adds weight and texture. There are no unnecessary flourishes—just honest materials doing what they do best. Even the fixtures, like the muted brass tap, are understated.

sleek study
barrel vault ceiling

The staircase in this apartment is wooden and sleek. On the bottom floor, the vacant space next to the staircase is used for a workstation. On the upper floor, we see a barrel vault ceiling perfectly tying the space to its history.

bed with wooden headboard
pendant light over compact side table
comfy gaming nook
workstation in bedroom
modern workstation with wall mounted wooden desk
handleless wooden cabinetry
minimalist vanity
single bed with toy monkey
sleek gray bathroom

The main bedroom uses a wooden headboard, which also doubles as a partition for the dressing area. Within the sleek cabinetry is a television, paired with comfy seats, creating a gaming zone. There’s also a wooden wall-mounted desk for working the day away.

In another bedroom, we see a single bed paired with a terrazzo nightstand. Perfect for a little one’s use.

Finally, a special mention for the sleek gray bathroom. There are no tiles, no ornate finishes—just surfaces that flow uninterrupted, creating a meditative, almost sculptural feel.



Posted By Anzah

Home Design Ideas

Designing Stillness in the Whisperwood Villa

15:29

In a world that often rushes, the Whisperwood villa—by VM Project—has been designed to pause. It is tucked away in tones of soft clay, warm woods, and gentle light. That’s why we like to say this home isn’t just styled, it’s still. It blends the soulful minimalism of Japanese design with the functionality of Scandi-style interiors. The Whisperwood villa is a quiet reminder that our homes can be a balm—calm, grounded, and intentionally simple. So what can we learn from Whisperwood? And how do we bring this sense of stillness into our own spaces?

Let’s step inside.

tall dark panel with linear fireplace
piano station
open floor plan with plush rug
sleek brown console
linear pendant light
wooden rectangular dining table
dark brown foyer
glass door

The heart of Whisperwood Villa is an open-plan living and dining space that quietly commands presence. At first glance, the space reads as minimal. But stay a moment longer and you’ll notice its layers: the grain of the wooden ceiling echoing the dining table below, the charcoal-toned fireplace wall balancing the softness of the shaggy cream rug, and the perfectly placed butterfly chair.

The dining area is defined by a bold cork table and elegant black chairs. It feels communal without being cluttered. Above it, a trio of sculptural pendant lights create an artful dialogue with the soft daylight streaming through sheer curtains.

And then there’s the piano nook—a quiet sanctuary within the sanctuary. Tucked into a black wood recess, it pauses to let you play.

compact black island
sleek beige cabinetry
airy kitchen with wooden cabinetry

The kitchen celebrates restraint and rhythm. The cabinetry is serene in blonde wood and matte neutrals. And the walls are softly textured. There are no loud finishes here—no glossy marble or flashy hardware. Instead, the focus is on tactile and honest materials. Even the appliances retreat respectfully into the wall, letting the space breathe. Then, the island is a sleek stainless steel centerpiece. It is paired with two terracotta bar stools.

brown accent wall
globe light
linear pendant light and sconce
bed with minimalist headboard
japandi style bedroom
wall mounted console

The bedroom in the Whisperwood villa is a serene Japandi retreat. The bed features a minimalist headboard. A brown accent wall anchors the space, while a sleek black pendant and sconce double as decor while providing illumination. We especially love the globe lamp and the plush seating bench.

study station
led lit wall feature

This compact bedroom goes big on functionality with a small bed and a study station for the little ones. There’s also ample open shelving.

japandi childrens room
led lit wooden panel
animal cupboard print
open shelves with toys

The space can also be repurposed as a child’s bedroom. Add on a console and a small desk, and even the toddlers will love it here!

bathrub with stainless steel fixtures
cylindrical sink
small cylindrical mirror

This bathroom in the Whisperwood villa features wooden accents adding warmth. A cylindrical sink is paired with a small mirror, providing functionality and adding style without taking up too much space. The LED-lit wall features add visual interest.

double plywood door in bathroom
double ceramic vanity
shower cubicle with plywood half doors

This bathroom in the Whisperwood villa features a double vanity with stainless steel fixtures. Plywood doors segregate the vanity as well as the shower cubicle. We love the ceramic and earthy feeling.



Posted By Anzah

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