The End of an Era: Top Five Outdated Luxury Home Design Trends for 2024

Written by Breck Hapner

In the ever-evolving world of luxury home design, trends reflect the shifting tastes, values, and lifestyles of high-end property owners. Certain design elements that once defined luxury living are now being replaced by approaches that align with the changing priorities of today’s homeowners. 

Once a staple of luxury homes, formal living rooms epitomized grandeur and elegance—spaces reserved for hosting guests and showcasing the finest furniture, art, and décor. These rooms were meticulously decorated, often emphasizing symmetry, lavish materials, and a sense of untouchable perfection. However, as the concept of home has evolved, so too has the role of living spaces. The formal living room is increasingly seen as an underutilized relic, out of touch with modern living.

Today’s luxury homeowners prioritize functionality and comfort over formality. Open floor plans that blend living, dining, and kitchen areas have become the new standard, encouraging interaction and flow. The formal living room, with its rigid boundaries and impractical design, contrasts starkly with this trend. Many homeowners now repurpose these spaces into more useful areas such as home offices, libraries, or media rooms.

In a December 2023 House Beautiful article, designer Kerri Pilchik noted, “Living rooms are becoming cozier with sumptuous fabrics, saturated colors, and a mix of materials. Living rooms are also becoming more multifunctional and less formal, with areas designated for games, lounging, homework, and cocktails with friends.”

Two prime examples illustrate this shift: A classic Georgian estate retains its formal living room with heavy drapes, ornate moldings, and perfectly placed antiques. In contrast, a contemporary mansion has eliminated the formal living room in favor of an expansive great room that seamlessly integrates the kitchen, dining, and lounging areas, reflecting a more relaxed and versatile environment.

Heavy draperies and elaborate window treatments once added grandeur, privacy, and insulation to formal rooms. These treatments often featured rich fabrics, intricate patterns, and layers of valances, swags, and tiebacks. However, in 2024, this trend is fading as homeowners seek lighter, more minimalistic window treatments that enhance natural light and create a sense of openness.

Modern luxury homes favor simple, understated window treatments that allow natural light to flow freely while still providing privacy and insulation. The trend toward minimalism and a connection to nature has led many homeowners to choose sheer curtains, roller shades, or even no window treatments at all, particularly in rooms with stunning views or ample natural light. This shift reflects a desire for interiors that feel bright, airy, and uncluttered, emphasizing the beauty of the surrounding environment rather than the window dressings.

In a July 2024 Homes & Gardens article, renowned designer Kathy Kuo remarked, “In general, overly heavy drapery tends to be a dated look. These days, we want to open up our homes to light, air, and warmth that is making its way into our rooms rather than shield from it . . . heavier curtains and blinds are now a thing of the past.”

An example of this outdated trend can be seen in a traditional Georgian-style home, where the formal living room is adorned with floor-to-ceiling velvet drapes, complete with elaborate swags and tassels. While the luxurious fabric adds a touch of grandeur, it can also make the room feel dark and closed off. In contrast, a modern coastal home might feature large windows dressed in simple linen curtains that can be easily pulled back, allowing natural light to flood the space and reveal expansive views. This approach creates a more relaxed and inviting atmosphere, reflecting contemporary preferences for light and openness.

The all-white kitchen, symbolizing cleanliness, sophistication, and timelessness, has long been a favorite in luxury home design. With its gleaming white countertops, cabinets, and backsplashes, this look became the go-to for high-end properties looking to achieve a bright, airy, and polished aesthetic. However, as trends evolve, the all-white kitchen is losing its appeal, with many viewing it as sterile, uninspired, and lacking in character.

In 2024, luxury homeowners are increasingly opting for kitchens that incorporate color, texture, and natural materials, creating spaces that feel warm, inviting, and full of personality. The shift away from all-white kitchens reflects a broader trend toward more organic and layered designs, where the kitchen is not just a functional space but the cozy heart of the home. Homeowners are embracing darker, moodier palettes, bold backsplashes, and mixed materials like wood, stone, and metal, which add depth and interest to the space.

Interior designer Kate Dawson noted in a January 2024 Forbes article, “White kitchens have been the predominant look for years now. But in 2024, this aesthetic will officially look dated. People are tired of everything looking bland—and looking the same as everyone else’s kitchen.”

An example of this outdated trend can be seen in a traditional kitchen where white dominates the design, from marble countertops to shaker cabinets and a subway tile backsplash. While undeniably elegant, the monochromatic palette can make the space feel flat and one-dimensional. In contrast, a more modern kitchen might feature deep navy cabinets, a reclaimed wood island, and a bold patterned tile backsplash. This combination creates a space that feels both luxurious and inviting, adding warmth and character that an all-white kitchen simply cannot achieve.

Dedicated home theaters were once a must-have in luxury homes, complete with tiered seating, plush recliners, large projection screens, and state-of-the-art sound systems. However, in 2024, traditional home theaters are becoming outdated as advances in technology and changes in viewing habits have made these rooms less relevant.

Today’s luxury homeowners are integrating media and entertainment systems into more versatile spaces, rather than dedicating entire rooms to a single purpose. Open-concept living areas featuring large, high-quality screens and surround sound systems are becoming the norm, offering a more social and flexible viewing experience. The rise of streaming services and smart home technology also makes it easier to create a high-quality viewing experience in any room, eliminating the need for a separate theater.

A December 2023 Architects and Builders article observed, “As technology has advanced, so has the flexibility of home design. Smart homes now integrate entertainment systems throughout the house, making it possible to enjoy media in any room. This integration has led to a preference for multi-use spaces over single-purpose rooms like home theaters.”

An example of this outdated trend can be seen in a suburban mansion, where a lavish home theater is outfitted with velvet curtains, ornate sconces, and rows of oversized recliners. While visually impressive, this room is often underused and feels somewhat isolated from the rest of the home. In contrast, a more modern design features a living room equipped with a retractable projection screen, integrated sound system, and modular furniture that can be rearranged for viewing parties or everyday lounging. This approach reflects a contemporary, flexible use of space, prioritizing functionality and adaptability to suit the homeowner’s lifestyle.

Once the pinnacle of rustic elegance, Tuscan-style interiors dominated luxury home design in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Characterized by warm earth tones, distressed wood, wrought iron details, and heavy, ornate furniture, this style sought to evoke the charm of a countryside villa in Italy. Rich textures, stone accents, and lavish yet cozy furnishings were the hallmarks of this design trend. However, as homeowners’ tastes have evolved, the heavily stylized and often dark aesthetic of Tuscan design is now seen as outdated.

In 2024, there’s a strong preference for lighter, more airy interiors that reflect a modern, global aesthetic rather than a specific regional style. The shift toward open spaces, natural light, and a more understated approach to luxury means that the Tuscan style’s ornate details and rich hues are falling out of favor.

Interior designer Amy Wolff mentioned, “It’s certainly OK if you still love your ‘Tuscan style’—it’s your home. However, many clients are just plain tired of it. Many cleaner lines and soft contemporary/transitional are going on these days. The dark colors and heavy furnishings have given way to more optimistic, lighter, casual, and comfortable looks.”

A prime example of this outdated trend can be seen in a sprawling mansion where Tuscan influences dominate every room, from terracotta tile floors to wrought iron chandeliers and deep gold walls. While evocative of the Italian countryside, the overall effect can feel heavy and dated. In contrast, a newly renovated home embraces a contemporary approach, featuring clean lines, neutral tones, and expansive windows that flood the space with natural light and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. The result is a space that feels more relevant and aligned with today’s preferences for minimalism and a stronger connection to nature.

As luxury home design continues to evolve, the abandonment of certain once-popular trends signifies more than just a shift in aesthetic preferences—it reflects a deeper transformation in the values and lifestyles of modern homeowners. This movement illustrates a collective desire for spaces that are not only visually appealing but also practical, sustainable, and deeply personal. Today’s luxury homes are becoming true reflections of their owners, prioritizing comfort, functionality, and a connection to the natural world over outdated notions of opulence.

In our next article, HAVEN will take a further look at trending interior and exterior home design with not only concepts but innovative ideas about trending decor possibilities for the modern luxury estate.