Just as fashion, colors, cars, and housing designs can tell us a lot about the time period(s), so do interior design trends; and just as in every other category we mentioned, there are always really, really bad trends mixed in with some pretty timeless trends. Today we’re choosing to look at really bad ones; the low-rise hip hugger bell-bottom jeans of the interior design world, if you will. We can’t wait a moment longer, so let’s get started!
Linoleum Flooring
We get it, we get it, this was a popular choice because, in theory, it was the economically-savvy option, not to mention super easy to clean. But this flooring was popular at the same time as bright colors and bold prints, so it was a lot to look at all the time. Today, we have similar options that are on the cheaper side of things and easy to maintain, but we’ve left the prints and colors in the past, and we’re really okay with that.
Inflatable Furniture
We have so much to say about inflatable furniture and so little time to get into it all. But at the time, you simply weren’t cool if you didn’t have at least one piece of furniture that you had to blow up. And we know you’ll be shocked to find out that these furniture pieces were super uncomfortable. Now that we’re older and wiser we certainly see all of the faults. Between inflatable furniture (we’re talking full-on couches, people!) and waterbeds, the ‘80s and ‘90s were just a bizarre time.
(image via: apartment therapy)
Wood Paneling
Wood paneling was peak design in the ‘60s and ‘70s because it was, you guessed, a super cheap option at the time. We’ve since seen the fall of wood paneling walls because now we know that these dark walls make rooms appear significantly smaller, and just kind of icky.
Toilet Seat Covers
It’s probably safe to say that a lot of us had an aunt or grandma that had the fluffy toilet set cover, and matching rugs in their bathroom. Probably a beach-themed nautical bathroom at that. We aren’t sure why this was ever such a thing, but we’re happy to see it gone. We’ll take our toilet seats plain, please and thank you.
(image via: click americana)
Vertical Blinds
Ahh, another ‘90s trend. These vertical blinds were everywhere back in the day, and while they aren’t necessarily an eye-sore now, they just seem super dated.
Glass Block Bathroom Window
One of the many mid-century trends we wanted to discuss today, glass block bathroom windows made you feel like everyone could see you, while also not allowing you to actually see anything beyond them to begin this. There was really no wrong area for these block windows, but looking back there was no right way either. All everyone knew was the only room they belonged in was the bathroom.
(image via: wall street journal)