While some of the beloved home design trends of the moment are pretty timeless (I’m looking at you, subway tile and mid-century modern), others go out as fast as they came in. The early 2000s were a prime example of this phenomenon; though we’re only talkin’ 20 or so years ago, it’s kind of astonishing how many uber-popular trends from the early aughts really failed to stick around.
Watch any episode of Trading Spaces…and you’ll know what I mean.
Warner Bros. Discovery / Via youtube.com
Whether you love ’em, hate ’em, or feel indifferent altogether, these are some of the most popular home trends and features from the early ’00s that you just don’t see as much these days.
And if this post jogs your memory about a trend we left off this list, use the comments above or below to add one of your own and your submission could be featured in a future BuzzFeed post.
1.The almighty Tuscan kitchen (or: Olive Garden kitchen) that, I’m sorry to say it, did not evoke even a single authentic Italian vibe. Warning: INTENSE nostalgia ahead…
2.On the subject of kitchens, Travertine tile was a surefire way to ensure that your floors always looked absolutely filthy.
3.Chevron flooring? Such a vibe.
4.Quatrefoil was everywhere, too.
5.I distinctly remember these rounded drywall edges.
6.These absolutely GIGANTIC dark wood built-in entertainment centers honestly left very little room for a sizable TV, no?
7.Massive jetted tubs have easily fallen out of favor — only to be replaced by the return of the freestanding bathtub.
8.Nothing says “early 2000s” like a big, bold [and usually red] accent wall.
9.And it wasn’t just red, either. Long before BRAT, kids, we had lime green accent walls.
10.While we’re on the subject of big, bold paint choices, who ever thought “sponge painting” was an aesthetically pleasing idea? (Was this technique created by a primer brand to drive sales?)
11.Remember this particular style of “open” (but also kind of closed-off) floor plan? 2000s-core, for sure.
12.Whether you like it or not, cherry cabinets are just less of a thing now.
13.And sadly, the same goes for golden oak…
14.I’m thrilled that we’ve done away with the bulky, patterned window valences of yesteryear.
15.Maybe you’re not a fan of the “agreeable gray” movement we’ve seen in past years…but you’ve gotta admit that it’s better than all-tan-everything, aka “builder’s beige.”
16.Ladies and gentlemen: the one and only brown-speckled granite countertop.
Bathroom countertop with a varied stone pattern, featuring a small sink, a candle, and part of a towel visible in the background
Bathroom with wooden vanity, granite countertop, mirror, and towels. Toilet and small window on the right. Blue rug on tiled floor
Calamity0o0 / Via reddit.com
17.If you were alive in the 2000s, you know someone who had this very specific vintage poster.
18.Genuine question: Am I the only one here who thinks the track lighting era was SO much better than today’s recessed LEDs?
19.Rubbed bronze fixtures walked so matte black could run.
20.The era of matchy-matchy bedroom furniture sets.
Bedroom with a wooden bed, matching dresser with a mirror, nightstand, and ceiling fan. A plant and photos decorate the dresser. Natural light shines in
Bedroom with a dark wood sleigh bed, white bedding, a blue accent wall, framed art, ceiling fan, and natural light from a window with curtains
bloomfield878 / Via reddit.com
21.Wood-paneled basements with those migraine-inducing ceiling lights are rocketing me back to a simpler time.
22.No, this isn’t wallpaper. It’s stenciled (!), and I think we can all agree that we went a liiiittle too hard with stenciling in the early aughts.
23.Speaking of walls, I feel like wall niches suddenly stopped being a thing 20 or so years ago.
24.And finally: Remember the kitchen-desk combo? (I sure do.)
If there’s a now-obsolete home design trend that you’re thrilled to never see again (or desperately want back), we want to hear from you. Tell us about it in the comments, and your submission could be featured in a future BuzzFeed post.
link