Home design trends come and go, but some current popular styles are already facing criticism from homeowners and design enthusiasts who believe they won't stand the test of time. A recent survey revealed numerous contemporary design elements that people predict will become outdated in the very near future.

One of the most criticized trends is solid painted brick. Critics argue that while painting over dated 1980s business park-style brick might make sense, alternatives like staining or limewashing create more appealing results than simply covering all brick and mortar with gray or white paint. "It makes it look like a plastic doll house," one respondent noted.

Electric fireplaces also face harsh criticism, particularly from homeowners in areas prone to power outages. A 45-year-old from South Carolina explained that electric fireplaces become useless during storms when power goes out, making gas or wood-burning options more practical. The respondent also questioned the logic of installing fireplaces in warm climates like Florida.

The all-white home aesthetic drew significant backlash, with critics comparing these spaces to hospitals or asylums. "I'm tired of designers saying there is so much warmth in a room they finished, and it's white-on-white. It looks like every other asylum," commented another South Carolina resident.

Open-concept bathrooms without doors received particularly strong criticism. A 57-year-old from New Jersey expressed frustration with doorless showers and massive freestanding tubs, citing privacy concerns and practical issues. "I don't want to know about someone doing their business, let alone see it, so bathrooms should absolutely have doors for privacy, especially for the toilet! Showers need doors to keep the water from splashing all over. Slips and falls on wet floors are truly dangerous!"

Small spaces designed for children or pets under stairs also came under fire. A 21-year-old from Texas highlighted the cleaning challenges these spaces present, questioning the practicality of army-crawling to clean up spilled food and drinks. The same concerns applied to pet spaces, where accidents could create long-lasting odor problems in cabinets.

The trend of rounded and arched design elements faced criticism for being too trendy. A 38-year-old from Georgia predicted that arched-shaped candles, rounded chairs, cabinets, and arch-shaped throw pillows would eventually be labeled as "post-COVID style" and become outdated. A Michigan resident specifically called out rounded cabinets as looking "so wrong."

Dopamine decor, characterized by excessively bright colors and bold shapes reminiscent of 1990s aesthetics, was predicted to have a short lifespan. A 31-year-old from Colorado noted that while the style is fun, most people would eventually prefer more relaxing home environments.

Exterior paint choices also faced criticism. Black exterior paint was criticized for fading and looking bad over time, while the popular white walls with black trim combination was deemed both lifeless and impractical. A Florida resident noted that white exteriors are difficult to maintain, with one neighborhood house already requiring repainting after just a couple of years.

Freestanding tubs, despite their aesthetic appeal, were criticized for being impractical for children and elderly users. Beyond accessibility issues, these tubs present cleaning challenges, particularly when positioned against walls where the back becomes difficult to reach.

Rose gold finishes faced criticism for their lack of versatility and maintenance issues. A 25-year-old respondent argued that unlike silver, white, or black, rose gold doesn't match everything and requires changing other elements to accommodate it. When tarnished or dirty, the finish was described as looking "disgusting," with predictions that it would be viewed like "floral granny couches" within a decade.

Monochromatic room painting, where walls, ceiling, trim, and doors are all painted the same dark color, was criticized for creating claustrophobic and bland spaces. A 29-year-old from New York argued that interesting spaces require variety in colors and textures, which this trend fails to provide.

Built-in wall niches confused many homeowners, with an Arizona resident questioning their purpose beyond creating spaces that "require you to fill with junk." These decorative elements were seen as impractical and unnecessary.

Modern boxy home architecture faced criticism for being unimaginative and ugly, particularly when inserted among older, classic-style homes. A New England resident described these homes as looking like "a bunch of boxes stuck together" and noted how they stick out inappropriately in established neighborhoods.

Wood accent walls, especially dark ones, were predicted to quickly fall out of favor, compared to the dated wood paneling of previous decades. Critics noted that these walls make rooms dark and claustrophobic while being difficult and messy to install and remove.

Certain cabinet styles, including rift oak cabinets, walnut slat walls, and various shaker styles, were predicted to become outdated. A 53-year-old from Florida anticipated a return to cleaner, more modern versions of raised panel cabinetry, influenced by period programming like Bridgerton and Gilded Age shows driving demand for more elegant home design.

Totally open floor plans received criticism for practical reasons, with cooking smells and noise traveling throughout the entire living space. One homeowner noted preferring an older house with a separate eat-in kitchen for holiday dinners due to these issues.

"Watermelon kitchens" combining pinks and greens were dismissed as creating "hideous spaces," with an Ohio resident noting that "different isn't always good." Painted cabinets in general faced criticism, with a Wisconsin resident asking, "Why can't we let solid wood be?" Open shelving and colorful or two-toned kitchen cabinets were also mentioned as trends likely to fade.

The overall "boxy, personality-less look" of modern interiors was criticized for creating sameness that resembles offices or hotels "not in a good way." An Oklahoma resident expressed frustration with this trend, while a Nevada resident specifically called out neutral tones everywhere as "boring and unstimulating," predicting people would want to "bring a splash of color back."

Finally, the excessive use of decorative trim was highlighted as problematic. One respondent described the Pinterest-driven trend of "adding trim to every wall in the middle of the wall, up and down the wall, empty trim boxing everywhere" as overwhelming and unnecessary.

These predictions reflect a growing sentiment among homeowners and design observers that many current trends prioritize appearance over functionality, leading to spaces that may look good in photos but fail to serve the practical needs of daily living. The criticism suggests a potential shift toward more timeless, functional design choices in the coming years.