6 minimalist decor trends designers wish they never saw

Minimalism has long been hailed as the design world's antidote to maximalist chaos, but even the best ideas can fail. In an effort to downsize, furniture can become more frustrating than functional, and your choice of decor can confuse rather than charm (looking at you, curtainless windows).

To find out which trendy minimalist designers are officially retiring, we asked a trusted design expert. Here she shares the minimalist trends that designers are ready to see out of our lives forever.

Skipping Window Treatments

Is designer Melissa Roberts ready to say goodbye to the minimalist faux pas? Naked windows.

Naked isn't always better, says Roberts, pointing out that untreated windows often appear unintentional – like you've forgotten to hang curtains or are still waiting for the back-ordered curtains.

“When it comes to minimalism, the key to doing it right is being intentional and thoughtful,” she says. “When window treatments are left out to achieve a minimalist look, the room often just feels unfinished.”

With the right tailoring—think extra-wide panels with knife pleats—and a solid, neutral fabric, curtains can fit seamlessly into even the plainest of rooms.

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Hardly any stairs

Roberts isn't one to reject the sculptural elegance of a minimalist staircase, but she does offer a few caveats. First and foremost, it must fit the style of the house.

“Floating stairs can be beautiful in contemporary or midcentury settings,” she says, “but they can counteract the character of homes rooted in traditional architecture: English, French, or Mediterranean styles.”

If you want to modernize an ornate staircase in a more traditional space, painting it jet black can help. This approach gives the staircase a modern touch while maintaining its original character and ensuring it harmonizes with the rest of your home.

Economical Scandinavian rooms

Scandi style, with its bleached wooden chairs, linen table runners, and obligatory sheepskin throws, once dominated the world of minimalist design, but designers' enthusiasm for the trend has been waning for years, and in 2026, many are ready to officially call it passé.

Scandinavian spaces often rely on bright whites and muted grays, paired with lightly textured furniture, which can seem airy at first, but without more substantial shapes the look can seem boring. Skeletal furniture also fails to anchor a room and leaves an excess of negative space.

However, Scandinavian furniture is always celebrated for its craftsmanship, so there's no reason to throw away your Wishbone chairs just yet. To avoid looking too sparse, pair them with something unexpected like a chunky table with a marble base.

Fluted furniture

For years, minimalist fluted furniture seemed like a natural way to add texture to a modernist space.

But in practice, designers say, the corrugation often doesn't feel particularly high-quality, especially because corrugated textures are easy to mass-produce. Over time, this accessibility has led to overuse and what was once a special detail has been replicated on everything from pantry doors to plant pots to drinking glasses.

If you still love the striped look, consider minimalist sofas and chairs with durable corduroy upholstery. It captures the minimalist retro vibe of the 70s while appearing more unexpected.

Fidgeting edges

Minimalism isn't often known for its playfulness, so the rise of wobbly-edged mirrors and wonky-legged furniture felt new for a while; However, designers generally agree that this is a short-lived trend that doesn't need to be worn into 2026.

For a more modern approach that feels sophisticated rather than youthful, look for amorphous glass bowls and bowls in vibrant hues—cobalt is likely to be a highlight next year—or subtly rippled stainless steel accents.

The goal, designers say, is to evoke slow, graceful movements rather than the frantic energy of ornate shapes. This will keep your room playful without slipping into the realm of gimmicky.

LED halo chandelier

Designers don't exactly embrace the minimalist halo chandelier, especially when it comes in metal finishes like stainless steel or brass.

Despite their angelic name, these lights can leave a room feeling more like a clinical waiting room than a tranquil sanctuary. They often add little personality and tend to cast a harsh, unflattering light.

The trick is to look for lights with multiple bulbs, such as Sputnik or step style. Another alternative that designers recommend instead of a halo chandelier is an oversized silk ball shade. With their clean lines and soft texture, silk baubles offer the perfect balance of texture and sophistication. They are made specifically for minimalist spaces that look luxurious rather than uninspired.