Scott McGillivray Ranks the Worst Home Design Trends of the Last 10 Years

When it comes to home design trends, I love a formal dining room, but it seems like I’m in the minority. I have no problem with integrated kitchen/eating spaces – in fact, I think they’re great – but I think it’s a shame that so many builders are foregoing separate dining rooms (like this great dining room I created for Buyers Bootcamp). An open-concept floor plan is definitely better for resale value right now, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it!

Related: Design Style Quiz: What’s Your Home Decor Personality?

I’m all for saving money where you can, but I’m not a fan of the home design trend of buying cheap furniture that will only last two to five years. It always seems like a great idea when you’re on a budget, but the reality is that when you buy this cheap, disposable stuff, you end up spending again when you replace the furniture a few years down the road. Not only that, it’s very wasteful and tough on the environment. I always recommend investing in pieces that will go the distance rather than being penny wise and pound foolish.

I know, I know, I’m always espousing the virtues of neutral walls. I stand by that. But when it comes to interior design, plain white walls with nothing on them are boring! I know we’re coming off the minimalism trend and a lot of people are still into plain decor with no clutter. I get it. But in order to make a house feel like a home – and not a doctor’s office – you need to have a little personality.

Related: 11 Things Every Stylish Home Has (It’s Not What You Think!)

Edison bulbs were fun for a while, but I feel like the time has come to say goodbye. The main reason? They barely emit any light. So while you may succeed in making your place look hip and trendy, you won’t be able to enjoy it because you won’t be able to see a thing. Instead, try one of these cool (and functional) lighting options to transform any room.

Everywhere I go, I see monster homes with postage stamp-sized yards. I live in a big house, but when I was house-shopping, the size of the backyard was equally important to me. Outdoor living is great for your health and for resale value. I don’t see the trend of trying to cram big houses onto small properties changing any time soon, but I really hope it does. In my humble opinion, we could all stand to spend a little more time outside.

DIY projects

can be great for several reasons. If done right they can save money, give you a creative outlet and in the case of upcycling, keep items out of the landfill. However, you can definitely have too much of a good thing. When your whole home is filled with nothing but DIY projects, it starts to look shabby. Be sure to invest in some good quality, long-lasting pieces to balance things out. You may find it actually saves you money in the long run.

With regards to trends that are out, ultra-modern furniture with sleek, sharp, straight lines was all the rage for a while. But personally, I never got on board with it. I’m all for modern furniture if that’s your style, but what’s the point of having a couch or side chair that’s not comfortable to sit in? As much as I want furniture to look good and reflect the style of the home, I believe that comfort trumps all.

Related: 10 Gorgeous Living Rooms We All Want to Curl Up In With a Good Book

I’ve been accused of using too much grey more times than I can count, but it’s better than being accused of using too much beige! I love grey because it goes with everything and can be either warm or cool – but that’s not the case with beige. I find that any time I try to use it, the space ends up looking dull and bland. If you can make beige work, tell me your secret, because I just can’t seem to do it!