The best and worst interior trends of the past 25 years

The nation’s favourite home improvement trends of the past 25 years include granite worktops, floating shelves and parquet flooring - but textured ceilings and carpeted bathrooms are a definite no-no.
By Richard Jenkins
Published 6th Nov 2023, 15:50 BST

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The study of 2,000 homeowners found 21 per cent believe the trend for minimalism has been the best advancement in home décor since pre-2000. Feature walls, exposed brickwork and beige walls also featured in the top 10 best trends.

But wall stencils, sponge walls and dark wood panelling were among the more regrettable interior design choices of the last quarter-century.

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Checkatrade commissioned the study to celebrate its 25th anniversary and also found favourite trends differ from city to city. While homeowners in Brighton favour parquet flooring (26 per cent), those in London prefer minimalism (28 per cent).

These design trends shaped homes for the last 25 yearsThese design trends shaped homes for the last 25 years
These design trends shaped homes for the last 25 years

Small - and big - home improvement regrets

The poll also found 39 per cent of homeowners claim to have regretted incorporating a home improvement or interior trend. And eight per cent of these changed their mind about it within just one year of the install. Saving money seems to be the biggest influence on home improvement changes in the past 25 years, according to 27 per cent of those polled via OnePoll.

Some of the most popular home improvement trends over the last 25 years are building a conservatory (34 per cent), loft conversion (33 per cent) and energy efficient changes, such as installing heat pumps or solar panels (31 per cent). It also emerged that the average homeowner makes five changes to their home each year to ensure they’re up to date with current trends.

Checkatrade spokesperson, Georgina Whalley, said: “With a quarter-century’s experience of connecting homeowners and quality tradespeople together, we’ve helped people bring countless trends to life in homes across the UK. From offering up inspiration for life-enhancing changes such as loft conversions to supporting with urgent or emergency repairs, Checkatrade is best placed to find trades that can be trusted to help improve British homes.”

Top 10 best interiors trends of past 25 years

  1. Granite worktops
  2. Minimalism
  3. Floating shelves
  4. Parquet flooring
  5. Feature walls
  6. Exposed brickwork
  7. Hygge/ cosy
  8. Spa bathtubs
  9. Beige walls
  10. Hot tub gazebo

Top 10 worst interiors trends of past 25 years

  1. Carpeted bathrooms
  2. Textured ceilings
  3. Dark wood panelling
  4. Animal print
  5. Sponge walls
  6. Wall stencils
  7. Exposed brickwork
  8. Linoleum flooring
  9. Neon lighting
  10. Tile countertops / wall panelling
Related topics:HomeownersMoneyPeople