'Apparently these 7 items make your home look cringe and... guilty.'

Ah, trends. They come and go so quickly. One minute something's hot, and in the blink of an eye it's not.

It's hard to keep up. Short of remodelling your home once a year, or rocking in a corner because you're renting (I see you).

There are little tweaks and touches we can take away or add to our spaces to make them our own and 'of the times'.

And some things it might just be time to let go of (unless you love it — in which case, feel free to ignore and you do you, boo).

Watch: While we have you… we have a question for you: Do you pee in the shower? Post continues below.

To keep you up to speed with what's trending (and what's not), we've scoured every corner of TikTok and the internet and summarised commentary from interior designers and people in the know around the globe.

Here, we've curated a list of things that might very possibly make your home look cringe in 2025 (don't shoot the messenger).

7 things that make your home look cringe in 2025.

1. Fake plants.

When these entered the scene, it was a plant murderer's dream come true. A hint of green and 'life' that doesn't require water. But unfortunately, it's been deemed on the nose to have plants on display that are in fact not alive.

But don't worry because the expectation isn't to go and raid a nursery. When it comes to plants, less is more. You don't need a forest growing in your home. Something I know, as a fellow millennial, is hard to wrap your green thumb around. The 'wildflower aesthetic' is in. Which you can achieve yourself with a bunch of daisies in a vase, or picking some from your neighbour's garden.

2. Surgery-like cool lighting.

When it comes to the globes we stock in our lights, we don't want to feel like we live on the set of Grey's Anatomy. It needs to be warm. To symbolise warmth and heat. To make a space feel cosy and relaxing.

Look for bulbs with a colour temperature of 2700K to 3000K. This range produces a warm, soft light. Or, you can add accessories like string lights, floor lamps, or hanging lights with light yellow or orange bulbs.

If you really want to be in control and invest in a long-term solution, you can add dimmer switches and intensity controllers to adjust brightness and create a relaxing atmosphere according to your mood.

Image: Canva

3. Live, Love, Laugh no more.

Word art and inspirational quotes have been a booming big business for decades. Peaking around 2010. Although we have been mocked by our Gen Z friends for a while for the saying "Live, Love, Laugh", wall art has continued to dominate. But now, apparently, it's done. With any form of word art or inspirational quotes being well and truly out for 2025.

When it comes to LED neon signs, the key to staying on-trend (no more inspirational quotes sorry) is focusing on purposeful, artistic applications with personalised words rather than purely decorative uses. So that they serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Image: Canva 

4. Minimalism, beige and sterile white.

All white walls, furniture and sterile decor is out (not that you were ever able to lean into it if you have children). The growing trend, instead, is a desire for spaces that feel lived-in and authentic (phew! My house is finally in!).

There's a preference for personality and expression over picture-perfect aesthetics. There are ways you can soften your all-white rooms by introducing elements of nature and some subtle layering using warmer, earth-toned colour palettes for a more inviting atmosphere. Or be bold. What do you want your space to say about you? Inject more bold colours, patterned textiles, and art pieces that reflect your personality.

In summary, you no longer need to pretend to have a home that you don't live in. There's a growing focus on comfort and functionality.

Image: Canva 

5. It's time to rest, rose gold.

The trend forecast is moving away from 'blingey' metals in favour of more subtle, natural-looking materials. The trend for metallics is moving away from warmer tones toward more understated options. Like brushed nickel, natural copper or natural brass.

I am currently giving my rose gold lamp a side eye…

6. RIP bouclé.

What is that? Great question. It's a thick, dense blanket-like material that has a nubby, looped surface. It's been the 'it' covering for many couches and cushions around homes.

The bouclé trend has proven to be quite resilient, holding strong for at least the past four years. But it's been over-instagrammed and over-used.

Which is good news because it's difficult to clean, collects dust and crumbs easily, and pets love to scratch it. You could swap it out with textured fabrics like linen, wool, or velvet that have more warmth and depth.

Image: Canva/Pinterest @c2b 

7. Fast furniture and disposable pieces

There are a few reasons at play here. The environmental toll and the lack of longevity you get from them.

The preference is for timeless design over trendy, disposable items. Like anything second-hand or furniture made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, and recycled metals.

And great news, it's time to dig out the heirlooms from Great Aunt Beryl that you've hidden or hit the op shops. Because welcome to the 'heirloom trend era'. We are leaning toward pieces that tell a story and gain value over time — stuff that actually lasts.

So there you have it. Happy updating, or, feel free to ignore the trends and 'Live, Love, Laugh' happily in your own bliss.

Do you have any of these in your home? I know I definitely do. Do you care? Share in the comments below. 

Feature Image: Pinterest/Canva.