The Worst Decorating Styles of All Time (in My Humble Opinion)

Today we’re going to dive into something fun – the worst decorating styles of all time, at least in my opinion. Before we start and anyone gets riled up, remember this is all just for fun! It's just my personal take, so don’t take it too seriously. All good? Great!

Tuscan Style

One of the worst decorating styles of all time has got to be Tuscan decor. To understand this, you need to know that Tuscany is a region in Italy – yes, the one with Florence and Pisa, where Dante, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci were born.

However, this style somehow emerged in North America in the late '90s and early 2000s, and it spread like wildfire.

Tuscan style homes feature wrought iron, oil-rubbed bronze, overly saturated warm colors, ornately carved oversized furniture, dark granite counters, cherry cabinets, and terracotta tiles everywhere.

None of these elements are terrible on their own, but North American Tuscan takes all of these elements and mashes them together. It’s overdone and visually overwhelming.

How to Fix Tuscan Style

If you’re stuck with a Tuscan-style home and don’t want to burn it down, don’t worry – you can make it work! The goal is to modernize and streamline the space.

Start by lightening the color palette, replacing ornate fixtures with more streamlined ones, and removing extravagant moldings.

If possible, swap out overly beveled countertops and cheesy hardware. Lighten up the whole space, and you’ll have a much more modern, airy feel.

Shabby Chic

Next on my list of worst decorating styles is Shabby Chic. This style appeared in the '80s but has recently snuck back in under a new name – Cottagecore. It’s just the same thing, really.

Shabby Chic is cluttered, overdone, and claustrophobic. It’s full of doilies, frills, faux-distressed furniture, and giant pink flowers.

My biggest issue with Shabby Chic is the faux-distressed furniture – I’m all for real vintage pieces with authentic patina, but distressed turquoise dressers from the thrift store? No, thank you!

How to Fix Shabby Chic

If you love the idea of vintage decor, opt for antique-inspired pieces with traditional upholstery, curved lines, and normal finishes – no intentional distressing!

If you must paint old furniture, go for it, but avoid distressing. A fresh coat of paint without the fake wear and tear will look much better.

Traditional Farmhouse

Traditional Farmhouse is another style I can’t get behind. It’s a close relative of Shabby Chic, but instead of crystal chandeliers and frills, you get burlap, black-and-white gingham, mason jars, and black lantern pendants.

Certain TV personalities convinced people that this style works in any home, but trust me – it doesn’t.

Rustic traditional farmhouse doesn’t look good unless you live on an actual farm. And even then, I’d suggest going for a more modern farmhouse look instead.

How to Fix Traditional Farmhouse

If you like some elements of farmhouse decor, take those pieces and blend them in a classier way. Modern farmhouse is a great alternative, and I’ve actually written a detailed article on it that I highly recommend you check out:

Just remember to avoid faux-distressed details and barn doors in contemporary homes.

Glam

Finally, we have Glam, or Hollywood Regency. Glam decor might look great if you’re 12, but otherwise, it’s just tacky. You’ll usually find a lot of metallic, chrome, lacquered furniture, over-tufted velvet couches, faux fur pillows, mirrored accent pieces, and lots of gold.

Glam does have some interesting elements taken from Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern, but unfortunately, Pinterest and DIY projects have taken it too far.

Everyone started spray-painting everything gold and silver, and now we’re stuck with overly shiny, sparkly rooms that feel more obnoxious than luxurious.

How to Fix Glam

If you love glam elements, try blending them with more natural materials. Pair shiny, metallic pieces with tan or leather to tone down the glitz and create a more balanced, sophisticated look.

Conclusion

Those are just a few of my picks for the worst decorating styles of all time, but I definitely have more to share in a future post. If you want to hear more, be sure to subscribe, and I’ll catch you next time!

Thanks for watching, and bye!