Once a hit, now an embarrassment: Walls that look tacky in 2025

 

Just a few years ago, they symbolised modernity, bold style, and a fearless approach to interior design. Today, however, they increasingly evoke embarrassment, a sense of overkill, or simply… an aesthetic mismatch. We’re talking about wall trends that once dominated interior design catalogues and home makeover shows, but are now seen as relics of poor taste.

In this article, we explain why certain trends aged so quickly and reveal what is truly considered stylish in 2025.

 

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Why did some trends age so quickly?
3. Colours that look tacky in 2025
4. Motifs and patterns considered kitschy
5. Why are we moving away from imitation?
6. Wall trends 2025
7. Natural cork
8. Summary
9. FAQ

 

Why did some trends age so quickly?

What defines “tackiness” in 2025?

Interior design trends shift just as rapidly as those in fashion. But what separates fleeting décor mishaps from timeless solutions isn’t only aesthetics — it’s also social perception, material quality, and changing user expectations. In 2025, items are considered tacky when they are:

• overdone and artificial,

• visually overwhelming,

• poorly made or created from low-quality materials,

• lacking authenticity.

Today’s design sensitivity leans strongly towards naturalness, balance, and subtle accents. Excess, high shine, and pretending to be “something we’re not” are more often seen as indicators of poor taste.

Former wall hits that are now embarrassing

Below we outline a few once-popular solutions that today make designers and informed homeowners cringe:

1. High-gloss 3D wall panels

Once intended to bring modernity and edge to interiors, these elements are now considered too visually aggressive. Intense gloss, sharp shapes, and exaggerated forms overwhelm the space and introduce chaos — especially when covering an entire wall. In the context of current trends, they simply feel exhausting.

2. Plastic panels imitating brick or stone

Plastic “brick” tiles — especially white or red ones — were extremely popular in budget-friendly, quick makeover projects just a few years ago. Today, they are associated with cheap, temporary solutions lacking character. Their plastic nature is hard to hide, undermining the authenticity of the interior.

3. Lacquered wall cladding from the ’90s

Characterised by high shine, often in brown or honey-toned wood, it was a staple in homes for decades. Today, however, it is viewed as an outdated remnant of a previous era. Even its nostalgic charm can’t save it from being considered an interior design faux pas — instead of style, it evokes memories of heavy, stuffy décor from decades past.

4. Low-quality vinyl cladding

Vinyl panels with artificial textures and an obviously synthetic appearance lose their appeal very quickly — both visually and functionally. Scratches, peeling edges, and poor durability highlight the downside of choosing solutions that aim to save money at the cost of long-term satisfaction.

5. Photo wallpapers with random images

Prints featuring landscapes, bridges, or waterfalls — often in poor resolution and with mismatched colours — were once meant to enliven interiors. Today, they are seen as kitschy, childish, and completely out of sync with any modern design direction. It’s one of the quickest ways to make an interior feel a decade older.

 

Colours that look tacky in 2025

Colour choices are one of the most influential elements shaping how an interior is perceived. In 2025, we are clearly gravitating toward muted, natural tones that create a sense of harmony and comfort. Within this context, certain shades — once fashionable and frequently chosen — are now considered too loud, too artificial, or simply visually uncomfortable. Here is the palette to avoid if you want your interior to feel aligned with contemporary aesthetics.

Neon and intensely bright colours

Bold yellows, lime greens, hot pinks, and turquoise shades once helped attract attention and inject energy into a space. However, when used in large quantities, they quickly became tiring and overwhelming. In 2025, neon colours symbolise excess and poorly thought-out design. Applied on walls — especially across entire rooms — they dominate the interior, create visual chaos, and disrupt the sense of aesthetic calm. They work well as accents, but never as full-wall colours.

Overly cold white

While white is a timeless classic, its undertone makes all the difference. A chilly, almost laboratory-bright white combined with harsh LED lighting creates a sensation of coldness, sterility, and impersonality. Instead of freshness, it results in a sterile interior lacking warmth. Current trends favour warm, creamy whites or softened neutral tones, which feel more natural and welcoming.

Glossy metallics on large surfaces

Gold, silver, and copper can look elegant and contemporary when used as subtle accents. But when such colours cover entire walls, wallpapers, or panels, the effect becomes overpowering and pretentious. In 2025, large-scale glossy metallics are seen as an example of form overshadowing function — too flashy, too artificial, simply too… tacky. A modern interior is a space that plays gently with detail, not one that shines like a jewellery display.

 

Motifs and patterns considered kitschy

Wall patterns can bring character to a space, break monotony, and add style. The problem arises when they are poorly chosen, overly dominant, or completely detached from current design trends. In 2025, we value moderation, subtlety, and nature-inspired motifs — whereas exaggerated patterns are seen as remnants of a bygone era.

Oversized floral motifs

Huge flowers stretching across an entire wall were meant to create a dramatic focal point. But their monumental scale and intense colour palette quickly became overwhelming. Instead of bringing romance or a natural vibe, they create an impression of theatrical exaggeration, making the room feel heavier. In small spaces they visually shrink the interior, and in larger ones they dominate the view. Today, delicate botanical graphics in muted colours work much better.

Marble imitations in unnatural colours

Marble represents elegance and luxury — but only when it retains its natural look. Attempts to “modernise” it with colours like purple, blue, or neon green result in finishes far removed from good taste. Such patterns — often printed on tiles or wallpaper — introduce artificiality and visual clutter rather than prestige.

Large-scale animal prints

Leopard, zebra, tiger — motifs borrowed from fashion runways also made their way onto walls. Unfortunately, when enlarged and applied to big surfaces, they appear exaggerated and almost caricature-like.

 

Why are we moving away from imitation?

For many years, imitations were a quick and affordable way to achieve a “wow” effect in interiors. Plastic brick pretending to be a loft wall, vinyl wallpaper imitating wood, or a 3D panel with a marble-like print — all of these were meant to bring a dream aesthetic closer without the high cost. But as aesthetic and ecological awareness has grown, these solutions have become far less acceptable. In 2025, what matters is not only how something looks, but also what it’s made of, how it ages, and whether it aligns with the values we represent.

Plastic — no matter what it tries to mimic — always eventually reveals its artificial nature. It has a distinct texture, a characteristic shine, and a cold, unpleasant feel. Although it dominated wall décor for years, it is now increasingly seen as a symbol of cheapness and a lack of care for quality. Moving away from plastic imitations is also part of a broader ecological shift: by choosing natural materials, users signal their concern for the environment and their opposition to the overproduction of synthetics.

 

Wall trends 2025: Natural, calm, and balanced

In 2025, interior design is shaped by an approach summarised in three words: harmony, moderation, and authenticity. Instead of walls overloaded with colour, pattern, and gloss, we see a shift toward what feels calm and organic. Wall trends clearly show that modern interiors are built not through the quantity of decoration but through the quality and intention behind each choice.

Earth tones and muted colours

Warm beiges, clay-like shades, olive greens, muted browns, and nature-inspired greys form the palette that dominates wall design in 2025. These colours bring a sense of calm, are highly versatile, and pair beautifully with natural materials such as wood, linen, or wicker. Rather than overwhelming the space, they create a backdrop for everyday life — softening and warming the interior.

Minimalist accents instead of excess

Instead of decorating every wall, designers now prioritise a selective approach. A single feature — a wooden panel, a textured plaster surface, or a subtle wall niche — can have a greater impact than an entire gallery of decorations. In 2025, value lies in details that are thoughtful and in tune with the character of the interior, not in solutions created just “for show”. A minimalist style doesn’t mean emptiness — it’s a conscious choice of calm and well-balanced proportions.

A single wall – the return of the understated feature wall

A trend that once relied on a contrasting wall covered with photo wallpaper or intense colour is now returning in a more refined form. The 2025 “feature wall” is defined by a subtle change in texture, a slightly warmer shade within the same colour palette, or a natural material highlighting just one surface. This approach adds depth and character to the interior without disrupting the overall cohesion of the design.

 

Natural cork

Until recently associated mainly with notice boards, today natural cork is making a comeback in living spaces — both literally and figuratively. In 2025, it is becoming one of the most sought-after decorative materials, combining aesthetics, functionality, and strong ecological values.

Why is natural cork back in favour?

The renaissance of natural cork is no coincidence. In an era of growing desire to be closer to nature and to create nurturing living environments, natural cork fits perfectly into the idea of sustainable, conscious design. It is a fully natural, renewable, and biodegradable material — harvested without cutting down trees. Thanks to its unique properties, natural cork not only looks great but also enhances everyday comfort at home.

Warmth, acoustics, and a unique texture

One of the greatest advantages of natural cork is its natural warmth — both in terms of touch and appearance. Its soft feel, matte finish, and irregular texture instantly make a room feel more inviting. In addition, natural cork acts as an acoustic insulator, absorbing sound and reducing echo, which makes it an ideal solution for bedrooms, children’s rooms, or home office spaces.

From a design perspective, natural cork is not limited to classic brown — it is available in a variety of shades and finishes, from natural to coloured and embossed options that work beautifully with contemporary interiors.

How to use natural cork?

Natural cork can be introduced into an interior in many ways — not only as full wall cladding. Here are a few tried-and-tested applications:

• A single wall finished with natural cork in the living room or bedroom as a warm, textured focal point.

• Natural cork panels as a practical feature in a home office.

• Decorative natural cork tiles in irregular shapes and colours, creating graphic wall compositions.

• Dyed natural cork used as an original backdrop, for example in a hallway or dining area.

It’s worth remembering that natural cork looks best when combined with other natural materials such as wood, stone, linen, or ceramics.

 

Summary

Wall trends that once impressed with boldness, extravagance, or “modernity” are now increasingly a source of embarrassment. What seemed fashionable and striking just a few years ago — glossy 3D wallpapers, plastic panels, or photo wallpapers with random imagery — has little place in the 2025 interiors of people who value aesthetics and quality.

This shift is about more than just taste. It reflects a broader move towards authenticity, durability, and mindful design. Natural materials are replacing imitations, restraint is taking over from excess, and earth tones with subtle textures are setting the tone for contemporary interiors. Natural cork, once forgotten, is returning as a symbol of everything that is good in modern interior design: ecology, comfort, and beauty rooted in nature.

 

FAQ

1. Can we still use white on walls?

Absolutely — white still has its place in interiors, but the shade you choose is crucial. Very cold, clinical white is now considered passé. Instead, opt for warm, broken whites that add cosiness to a room.

2. Which colours dominate in 2025?

The leading shades are earth tones — beiges, muted greens, rusty reds, and warm browns. These nature-inspired colours create calm, harmonious interiors.

3. How can I avoid kitsch when decorating walls?

Follow the rule: less is more. Avoid excess, high shine, and artificial effects. Instead, focus on natural materials, a cohesive colour palette, and carefully considered details.