Nostalgia can be comforting, but that doesn’t necessarily make it stylish. Millennials, who grew up from the 1980s to early 2000s, likely have vivid memories of homes that were fitted with Tuscan-style kitchens, sponge-painted walls and honey oak cabinetry everywhere.
As millennials left their childhood homes behind and began furnishing spaces of their own, a clear divide between the maximalist aesthetic of their youth and the streamlined look that defined the 2010s emerged.
'In the peak era of QVC, many millennials were also introduced to the open floor plan, farmhouse decor and minimalism as a reaction against the cluttered, heavily decorated interiors of their parents’ generation,' says interior designer Abby Pendergrast.
The 2010s also marked the rise of social media as a major influence on interior design. Trendy, highly photogenic spaces like NYC's The Wing and the Museum of Ice Cream inspired countless moodboards and decorating choices. However, many of those once-innovative looks quickly became overdone, and today, they look downright outdated.
Abby continues, 'As adults, millennials are creating spaces that embrace comfort, personalisation and sustainability.
'Interestingly, we see millennials selectively reviving certain childhood trends – but with their own twists. Rather than going full farmhouse, they might integrate vintage-inspired decor or antiques alongside contemporary elements.'
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If your home is feeling more 2016 than 2026, it’s time to make some changes. We asked interior designers to identify the trends millennials should leave behind – and what to try instead.
Millennial pink overload
According to Abby, entire rooms painted pink or stocked with overly saturated pink decor are a few design faux pas to stay away from. Instead, she suggests opting for 'moodier tones such as warm clay, earthy terracotta or muted jewel tones for a more sophisticated palette.'
Pampas grass and faux-boho
Pampas grass and so-called boho chic have gone hand-in-hand for far too long. Wherever we see a fluffy pampas frond – which admittedly can also mean something else entirely! – there's usually macramé wall art somewhere close by.
To easily swap out this passé look, Abby suggests implementing 'healthy live plants, tall indoor trees like ficus or olive, or sculptural succulents and cacti for fresh, vibrant greenery'. It gives you all that organic kudos without feeling remotely naff.
Interior designer Michelle Dew is also on board for adding more greenery and live plants to your space, as fake plants 'look a bit tired and dated, especially if they’re poor quality'. She recommends living plants 'for the look as well as the air-purifying qualities'.
Reproduced mid-century furniture sets
Blame this trend on all the millennials who binge-watched Mad Men in their early 20s. While we're not denying that the beauty of true mid-century modern style will always endure, mass-produced remakes and showroom-style sets totally steal the magic.
Abby says, 'entire rooms of mid-century reproductions or matching furniture sets' is a look that has to go. Instead, she recommends 'curated and eclectic mixes of vintage, modern and custom pieces that reflect personal stories and styles'.
No one's saying it all has to go, or that every mid-century piece you buy has to be authentically vintage – affordable G Plan sideboards grow ever harder to source! – but jumbling such designs in with genuine vintage pieces and other styles you love will keep your home creative and considered.
All-brass hardware
Millennials have long defaulted to brass and gold (and some rose gold) hardware. However, overuse of these metallics can quickly date a room. Instead, try going the opposite direction with more silver finishes. 'Polished chrome is classic for a reason. It stands the test of time without being too in-your-face trendy,' Abby explains.
Wordy wall art
Live, laugh, love. Yes, it's time to say goodbye to those motivational letterboards and 'But first, coffee' prints. Instead, consider unique pieces from local artists, oil paintings from vintage shops or find an art print from somewhere like PSTR Studio. These will speak volumes without saying a word. Abby suggests finding 'original artworks, thoughtfully framed vintage posters or carefully selected objects that speak to personal interests and experiences'.
Not everything has to be spelled out. A little time, curation and consideration about what you like – not what's trending on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest – will blast your home into the style stratosphere.
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