18 Odd Home Decor Trends From the Past
Here's a quirky look back at unusual decorating fads that once filled American homes.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Home trends come and go, but some leave us scratching our heads years later. People once proudly embraced these decorating choices. Here are 18 home decor fads from the past that now seem more odd than stylish.
1. Shag Carpeting
Karen on Flickr
Thick, fuzzy carpeting covered floors from wall to wall in homes during the 1970s, turning living rooms into plush playgrounds of orange, gold, and avocado green. While people adored its cozy look back then, today, it’s remembered as a cleaning nightmare that trapped dirt, dust, and decades of regret.
2. Avocado Green Appliances
PxHere
From refrigerators to stoves, avocado green dominated kitchens in the 1970s like no other color. It was meant to feel earthy and modern, but it quickly became one of the most mocked shades in design history once the fad faded.
3. Wood Paneling Everywhere
Peter Herrmann on Unsplash
Dark, shiny wood panels once lined basements and dens, giving homes what people thought was a warm, rustic vibe. Over time, however, the trend aged poorly, leaving many rooms looking more like old cabins than cozy family spaces.
4. Popcorn Ceilings
roskvape on Wikimedia Commons
These textured ceilings were once the mark of a “finished” home, hiding imperfections and reducing noise. Unfortunately, they soon became notorious for collecting dust, casting odd shadows, and being nearly impossible to clean without creating a mess.
5. Beaded Doorways
Jamie on Flickr
A string of colorful beads dangling in the doorway was once seen as fun, artistic, and youthful. Yet after the novelty wore off, most people realized they were noisy, tangled easily, and did little to keep out drafts or noise between rooms.
6. Inflatable Furniture
Lany-Jade Mondou on Pexels
Plastic blow-up chairs and sofas became a futuristic design statement in the late 1960s and early ’70s. However, after a few deflations, squeaks, and uncomfortable sitting experiences, most homeowners decided this bubbly trend wasn’t built to last.
7. Plastic Couch Covers
Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue on Flickr
Grandparents everywhere swore by clear plastic covers to “protect” their furniture from stains and wear. Unfortunately, sitting on them felt sticky and uncomfortable, and the loud squeaks were enough to make anyone long for bare fabric again.
8. Carpeted Bathrooms
Brian Ellin on Flickr
For reasons that still baffle modern homeowners, people once thought putting plush carpet next to a bathtub was luxurious. It didn’t take long to realize that moisture, mildew, and bathroom odors made the combination an absolute disaster.
9. Mirror Walls
PickPik
Entire living room walls covered in mirrors promised to make spaces look larger and brighter. In reality, they mostly reflected awkward angles, fingerprints, and the questionable design decisions of anyone bold enough to install them.
10. Conversation Pits
OfHouses on Flickr
Sunken seating areas built into the floor were the ultimate sign of modern sophistication in the 1960s and ’70s. Though they looked sleek in magazines, in real life, they were awkward to use, easy to trip over, and impractical for most family living.
11. Lava Lamps as Decor
Victor Serban on Unsplash
These glowing, bubbling lamps were the epitome of groovy cool, adding psychedelic movement to countless living rooms. Though mesmerizing for a while, the constant need for electricity and fragile glass construction made them more decorative than practical.
12. Wallpaper Borders
Wikimedia Commons
Narrow strips of wallpaper wrapped around the top edge or midline of walls, often featuring flowers, fruit, or scenes. While intended to add charm, they often mismatched prints, peeled over time, and became a pain to remove.
13. Glass Block Walls
Mark Ahsmann on Wikimedia Commons
These thick, translucent blocks were popular in bathrooms and entryways, promising both light and privacy. Though futuristic at first, they quickly dated homes, making spaces look like hospital corridors or public restrooms.
14. Macramé Plant Hangers
Diana Reyes on Pexels
From wall hangings to plant holders, macramé was the crafty obsession of the 1970s. Its knotted cords gave homes a bohemian charm for a while, but the look became cluttered fast, and the trend eventually unraveled like the rope itself.
15. Sunken Bathtubs
David Sinclair on Flickr
Some bathrooms installed tubs below floor level, creating a built-in, submerged bathing pit. Though dramatic, they were difficult to get in and out of, prone to leaks or splashes, and often looked dated once newer bathroom trends arrived.
16. Pastel Tile Bathrooms
Photojack53 on Wikimedia Commons
Bathrooms once donned with pink, mint, peach, or baby blue ceramic tile from floor to ceiling. Though sweet and cheerful then, these hues eventually felt overly childish and hard to redecorate without a full demolition.
17. Animal Print Everything
erin williamson on Flickr
Leopard, zebra, or cheetah prints splashed across couches, rugs, drapes, and wallpapers promised wild glamour. Over time, the patterns overwhelmed rooms rather than enhanced them, creating visual chaos instead of elegance.
18. Ruffled Curtains
Ctjf83 on Wikimedia Commons
Layers of frills, ruffles, and gathers dressed windows in Victorian-style elegance. Though once considered romantic, they often felt heavy, dated, and noisy when curtains moved, and cleaning them was always a chore.