Home renovation shows have a lot to answer for, don’t they? Over the years, we’ve seen some truly baffling design choices make their way into perfectly innocent homes. From colours that could make your eyes water to fixtures that belong in a modern art museum rather than a functional living space, these trends have left many homeowners scratching their heads (and reaching for their wallets to undo the damage). Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just someone who enjoys a good laugh at the expense of questionable taste, this list of the 12 worst home renovation trends will have you thanking your lucky stars you didn’t jump on these particular bandwagons. So, grab a cup of tea and prepare to cringe as we take a stroll down memory lane, through the halls of home improvement horror.
Popcorn Ceilings
Ah, popcorn ceilings – the bane of every modern homeowner’s existence. Popular in the mid-20th century, these textured monstrosities were meant to hide imperfections and dampen sound. Instead, they became dust traps that were impossible to clean and dated rooms faster than you could say “home improvement”. Removing them is a messy, time-consuming job that often reveals why they were installed in the first place. It’s like playing Russian roulette with your ceiling, never knowing what horrors lie beneath the lumpy surface.
Avocado Bathrooms
In the 1970s, someone decided that bathrooms should be the colour of mushy peas, and thus the avocado bathroom suite was born. These green monstrosities turned perfectly good bathrooms into something resembling a swamp. The worst part? They were often paired with equally garish orange or brown tiles, creating a colour combination that could induce nausea faster than any dodgy curry. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to bathe in Kermit the Frog, these bathrooms had you covered.
Wood Panelling
Wood panelling was all the rage in the 1960s and 70s, turning homes into what can only be described as wooden coffins for the living. Dark, oppressive, and about as cheerful as a rainy day in Blackpool, these panels sucked the light out of rooms faster than a black hole. Removing them often revealed walls that looked like they’d been through a war, leading many homeowners to simply paint over them in a desperate attempt at modernisation. It’s the interior design equivalent of covering a bad haircut with a hat.
Carpeted Bathrooms
Whoever thought putting carpet in a bathroom was a good idea clearly never had to deal with the consequences. This bizarre trend from the 1970s turned bathrooms into petri dishes of mould and mildew. The plush fabric absorbed water like a sponge, creating a breeding ground for all sorts of nasties you’d rather not think about while brushing your teeth. Removing it often revealed damaged floorboards and a smell that could knock out a elephant. It’s the home improvement equivalent of wearing a sponge as shoes.
Artex Ceilings
Artex, the textured coating that took British ceilings by storm in the 1970s, is the gift that keeps on giving – to plasterers, that is. These swirly patterns, often resembling everything from random squiggles to actual depictions of flowers or shells, were meant to add character to ceilings. Instead, they added headaches for future homeowners trying to remove them. The real kicker? Many Artex products contained asbestos until the mid-1980s, turning removal into a potential health hazard. It’s like having a ticking time bomb above your head, but uglier.
Fake Beams
In a misguided attempt to add rustic charm, many homeowners in the 1980s and 90s installed fake wooden beams. These plastic or laminate monstrosities fooled absolutely no one and added all the charm of a polyester toupee to otherwise perfectly nice rooms. Often poorly installed, they had a habit of sagging or peeling away from the ceiling, revealing their true, tacky nature. It’s the home decor equivalent of wearing a t-shirt with a tuxedo printed on it and expecting people to think you’re fancy.
Wallpaper Borders
Wallpaper borders were the mullets of home decor – business on the bottom, party on the top. These narrow strips of often garishly patterned paper were slapped around the top of walls in a misguided attempt to add interest to rooms. Instead, they dated interiors faster than you could say “1990s”. Removing them often took chunks of wall with them, leaving a legacy of patchy plaster and regret. It’s like voluntarily wearing a decorative headband made of tacky wrapping paper, but for your walls.
Sponge Painting
Sponge painting, the DIY enthusiast’s answer to Monet, turned walls into what looked like abstract representations of moldy bread. This technique, popular in the 1990s, involved dabbing paint-soaked sponges on walls to create a textured effect. The result was often a migraine-inducing mess that was impossible to touch up or paint over without a complete do-over. It’s the interior design equivalent of letting a toddler loose with finger paints, but with less artistic merit.
Glass Blocks
Glass blocks, the windows of choice for those who apparently wanted their homes to resemble public toilets from the 1980s. These chunky, translucent bricks were supposed to let light in while maintaining privacy. Instead, they just made rooms look like they were underwater, and not in a good way. Removing them often revealed structural issues, as many DIY enthusiasts installed them without proper support. It’s like having a wall made of giant ice cubes, but less cool and more permanent.
Tuscan Kitchens
For a while in the early 2000s, everyone seemed to want their kitchen to look like it belonged in an Italian villa, regardless of whether their home was in Tuscany or Tunbridge Wells. These kitchens featured faux-distressed cabinets, elaborate wrought iron accessories, and more terracotta than you could shake a breadstick at. The result was often a confused mishmash that looked about as authentically Italian as a pizza from the frozen aisle. It’s like wearing a gondolier’s outfit to make your daily commute feel more exotic.
Chevron Everything
Chevron patterns took over homes in the 2010s like an invasive species, appearing on everything from walls to throw pillows. This zigzag design, while initially eye-catching, quickly became the visual equivalent of a persistent headache. Rooms decorated in chevron looked like optical illusions gone wrong, making it hard to focus on anything else. It’s the interior design equivalent of wearing stripes and polka dots together – a bit much for the eyes and definitely not timeless.
Open Plan Everything
The obsession with knocking down walls to create open plan living spaces reached fever pitch in the 2010s. While the idea of a flowing, multifunctional space sounds great in theory, in practice it often resulted in echoey, drafty rooms where you could hear (and smell) everything happening in the house. Try concentrating on work while someone’s cooking fish in the kitchen that’s now part of your living room. It’s like living in a warehouse, but with more arguments about whose turn it is to do the washing up.
18 Everyday Things Amish Women Aren’t Allowed to Do
The Amish culture is known for its simple way of life and adherence to traditional values. While this lifestyle may seem appealing to some, there are certain restrictions that Amish women face that most modern women do not. Take a look at these things that we take for granted that are off-limits to Amish women.
Read More: 18 Everyday Things Amish Women Aren’t Allowed to Do
16 American Foods Brits Can’t Stand
Food preferences can vary wildly across cultures, and what’s considered a delicacy in one country might be seen as downright bizarre in another. This cultural divide is particularly evident when comparing American and British cuisines. While the two nations share a common language, their tastes in food can be worlds apart. From overly sweet concoctions to processed cheese products, there are certain American foods that many Brits find hard to stomach.
Read More: 16 American Foods Brits Can’t Stand
17 Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True
Old wives’ tales have been passed down through generations, often dismissed as mere superstition. However, many of these age-old beliefs are rooted in truth. From health tips to weather predictions, these stories from the past can surprise us with their accuracy. Here are 17 old wives’ tales that are actually true.
Read More: 17 Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True
I'm Danny, a home maintenance pro who loves to write about some of the weird, wacky, and downright dangerous things I've seen in all my years on the job. And I enjoy helping folks avoid making costly mistakes with simple home maintenance tips and hacks.
