Interior designers share 14 of the worst trends they saw this year, so far

Sectionals are great, but they're not always right for every living room or basement, according to Selena Lewis, owner of Selena Lewis Designs. 

The large sofas can easily crowd a room and actually leave you with fewer seating options than they appear to offer.

"Many of my clients think that they need a sectional for hosting purposes. If you think about the setup of sectionals, they are not great for having conversations," Lewis told Insider. "I encourage my clients to go with a couch or two and extra chairs."

Though shades of gray have been popular for years, Lewis says it's time to shift away from the color palette. 

"When you go with a gray palette in your home, it makes it very difficult to blend other colors," the designer said. "You will find yourself stuck with using navy and black as your accent colors."

When picking out paint, Lewis suggested using lighter nudes to make picking out furnishings and adding accent colors much easier.

Despite the enduring popularity of open floor plans, there's been a growing realization of the importance of functional zoning, according to Keely Smith, lead interior designer at JD Elite Interiors and artist at Home Stratosphere.

"Instead of vast expanses with no apparent purpose, interiors are being segmented into zones, each dedicated to a specific function," she told Insider. 

Segmenting better utilizes the space and brings a sense of purpose to each area, according to the designer. 

Coordinated decor is another trend that missed the mark this year, according to Smith.

There's an undeniable charm in matching elements, but interiors that are too curated can feel inauthentic. 

"An eclectic blend of decor, reflecting individual preferences and stories, seemed more genuine and resonant," the designer told Insider.

With the rise of cozy maximalism, some people embraced "dopamine" decor by filling their homes with colors, patterns, and trinkets.

But it can make rooms feel cluttered rather than comforting, according to Nicholas Kaiko, interior designer at Kaiko Design Interiors.

To avoid this mistake, the designer suggested being more selective when choosing decor items, ensuring each piece has a place and purpose.

"While gold accents are timeless, overgilding made some spaces look gaudy," Kaiko told Insider. 

You can still incorporate gold into your space but use it sparingly — especially in rooms with muted color palettes.

Though loved by many, mid-century-modern style can feel outdated if used too liberally, according to Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight. 

For a refreshing twist on the popular trend, the designer suggested integrating mid-century-inspired pieces with other design inspirations. 

Too much artwork can be a visual overload, according to Lewis, and it often interrupts the flow from one room to the next. 

"I love selecting art pieces when designing a space, but it does not need to be on every single wall," the designer told Insider.

As a replacement, she suggested opting for a fun wallpaper — which allows you to bring more textures and patterns — or just leaving some walls blank. 

The once-prevalent cold, glossy, minimalist kitchen is fading in favor of warmer, homey aesthetics, according to Smith.

"Wooden cabinets, textured backsplashes, and personal touches are now at the forefront, making kitchens more inviting," the designer told Insider.

Though showing off your favorite pieces can be fun, it's easy to overcrowd an open-shelving unit, according to Kropovinsky.

To hide the clutter and maintain order, he said, consider closed cabinets.

"Yes, plants breathe life into spaces, but transforming rooms into dense forests was a wild choice," Kaiko told Insider. 

Instead, consider incorporating a few statement plants and pairing them with nature-inspired decor.

Industrial lighting is certainly a trendy and bold choice, according to Kropovinsky, but it tends to feel distant.

"Soft, warmer lighting options create a cozier ambiance," he told Insider.

Statement ceilings had their moment with neon paints and aggressive patterns, according to Kaiko. But this trend sometimes overshadowed the room's beauty.

Instead, the designer said to opt for textured ceilings or gentle patterns that enhance the space rather than dominate it. 

Kaiko told Insider that he's seen some wildly bold design choices this year — and he's not really a fan. 

"From space odysseys to deep-sea adventures, some rooms felt more like movie sets than homes," the designer said. 

Try to incorporate elements of your favorite themes with more subtlety so it doesn't overwhelm the space.