3 “Dated” Design Trends We Aren’t Ready to Quit Just Yet

Nancy Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
As a Senior Writer at Apartment Therapy, Nancy splits her time among looking at beautiful pictures, writing about design, and photographing stylish apartments in and around NYC. It’s not a bad gig.
updated Jun 4, 2019
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(Image credit: Lula Poggi)

Fashion is fickle, and sometimes something that’s super-popular one year is “out” (or just a little overplayed) the next. Like you, I am thoroughly sick of faux taxidermy. But there are a few other design trends that other folks may be weary of that I still think are pretty great.

1. Shell chairs

We get it: these chairs, designed in 1948 by Charles and Ray Eames, are everywhere. But with good reason: they’re comfortable, they’re (kind of) affordable, and they look good with almost any decor. You wouldn’t stop wearing skinny jeans just because all your neighbors were wearing them too, right? These are the Harry Potter of chairs: Liking them might not set you apart from anyone else, but it’s okay to like them anyway.

(Image credit: Michelle Tam)

2. Arranging cookbooks by color

This is one trend that just won’t die, and also one that never fails to provoke a certain amount of vehemence amongst its detractors. For those opposed to the idea, arranging one’s cookbooks by color is an indication of an uncultured mind, one that values the aesthetic quality of books over the information they contain. But why can’t you have it both ways? Isn’t it possible to appreciate the way books look and what’s in them? Arranging books by color just looks pretty — and for some people who are very visually minded, it may actually make it easier for them to find their books. So try not to judge, okay?

(Image credit: Hayley Kessner)

3. Subway tile

Subway tile bores some people, and it reminds other people of an actual subway, which is maybe not an association you want with your kitchen, and if that’s you, that’s okay. But in addition to its humble origins, subway tile is also incredibly affordable, super versatile and a great match for all kinds of different interiors, from the very traditional to the very modern. My prediction: Not going anywhere anytime soon.

This post originally ran on Apartment Therapy. See it there: We Just Aren’t Ready to Quit These 4 “Dated” Design Trends

What do you think of these trends? Or any other trends that people are saying are dated? Discuss in the comments below!

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