6 HGTV-Inspired Styles That Are on Their Way Out

From Fixer Upper to Good Bones, beloved HGTV shows have made their way into millions of homes, influencing design, empowering armchair DIYers, and spurring large-scale obsessions with shiplap walls and subway tiles. 

Back in 2020, Zillow analysts even took a look at the popular TV trends that moved the needle on home sales, discovering that things like board-and-batten designs or rattan helped homes fly off the market — and listings that mentioned freestanding tubs and Moroccan tiles sold for a premium.

But some of these trends appear to be, well, nearing their final season. Here’s what HGTV-inspired styles are on their way out, according to real estate agents.

Scandi style is all about clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, incorporating items that are functional yet beautiful. But Lauren Reynolds, a Connecticut-based Realtor with Compass, says she’s seeing a shift towards a more modern-traditional aesthetic (and it may have less to do with personal preference and more to do with logistics).

“I’ve been seeing a lot of thrift store finds and antique gems in home decor now,” she says. “I think a lot of that also has to do with the supply chain issues we’ve been experiencing, so people are seeking out alternatives.”

With that in mind, people are still embracing minimalistic design choices and overly accented design is less desirable, she says.

“People are looking for ‘breathing room,’ and to not feel cluttered, especially as we continue to see work from home take root,” Reynolds says.

While white kitchens are classic, the white-on-white trend seems to be falling out of vogue and being replaced with bolder, warmer colors, Reynolds says. 

“I’ve been seeing a lot of taupe cabinetry with dark counters, and even deeper jewel tone accents like emerald and deep blues,” she says. 

Subway tiles in bathrooms and on backsplashes have become so dang popular that they’re not as exciting anymore, says Jennifer Okhovat, a Realtor at Compass in West Hollywood, California. While they still have their fans, these glazed ceramic tiles are being used as a backdrop for design.

“For example, in the kitchen if there is subway tile backsplash, clients are accessorizing with jars and cutting boards leaning against the backsplash,” Okhovat says. “In the bathrooms, I am seeing more succulents and wood decor to warm up the tiling.”

Wallpaper (the permanent stuff, that is) is kind of like a tattoo, says Elizabeth Sugar Boese, a Boulder, Colorado-based Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. It’s pretty personal — and not always favored when you go to resell your home and you discover it’s hard to remove. If you want to play with wallpaper on an accent wall, she recommends going for a peel-and-stick option that has good reviews. Confirm it really does remove easily, which you’ll appreciate if your own tastes change or you decide to list your house.

Many contractors and buyers are leaning away from granite and more towards stones that make more of a statement, says Josh Stepling, a broker associate with Josh Steppling Group at EXP Realty in Stuart, Florida.

“A uniformly colored piece of Corian can be a better option when paired with colorful surroundings,” he says. “While granite still has its place in certain decors, it can come off as a loud focal point — which can easily be subdued by making sure there isn’t a strong contrast between your granite and cabinet colors.”

Inspired by the 1970s, macrame wall hangings made a big comeback. But, the thing is, these decorative items don’t fit into a lot of people’s homes or broader designs, says real estate agent and designer James Judge. The good news is, if you tire of this trend, it’s easy to replace with another tapestry or wall art. 

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: 6 HGTV Trends on Their Way Out, According to Real Estate Agents