16 Home Design Trends From 20 Years Ago That I'm Begging To Come Back In Style, And 7 That Still Make Me Ask, "Why Was That A Thing We Did?" (2024)

Let's talk about early 2000s interior design because, honestly, it was pretty chaotic. We had late '90s trends that carried into the early aughts mixed with the retrofuturism that came with the new millennium. Plus, with the rise of HGTV and home makeover shows, homeowners were introduced to the idea of "doing it yourself," and boy, did they try...things. So I went on a little trip down memory lane and compiled a list of, what I think, are 26 of the most memorable home design trends from the early 2000s: 1.Butterfly chairs: 2.Manipulating paint for "textured walls": We even used sandpaper on our walls for an "aged" look. 3.Inflatable furniture: 4.Sage green and lavender purple color combo: 5.Stenciling: The stencils of flowers and fruits and veggies were always kinda cute. But, the words... 6.Shabby chic: I don't love the idea of using "crackle" paint to make my white baseboards look old and "rustic," but more florals...always. 7.Baskets: 8.Red walls: 9.Themed rooms: Love the Mediterranean? Do this: And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the extremely pervasive Tuscan-inspired kitchen, something I truly hope never comes back in style. I'm all for using themes to decorate. To me, it's always better than the cold and sterile white and gray look. BUT, the "exotic" theming used in the early 2000s was a bit problematic. 10.Painted green furniture: 11.Decorative candles: 12.Sometimes they were on these metal candle holders with little spikes sticking out. 13.And these pressed flower ones too: 14.This "natural look": 15.Melted plastic "popcorn" lamps: 16.Matching bedroom sets: 17.Americana: But sometimes, the patriotism was less subtle, and people covered their homes with American flags. 18.Beaded curtains: 19.Valances: 20.Kitchen roosters: 21.Chrome and/or retrofuturism accents: It's like 2000s-does-70s-does-future, and I'm still obsessed with it: 22.Frosted glass decor: 23.And finally, just...all the colors: Everywhere: What are some early 200s trends that I missed? Let me know in the comments below.