Spring cleaning is about more than just donating clothes that no longer fit or parting ways with anything in your home that is stained or broken. It’s also a great time to evaluate your home decor and think realistically about what pieces of furniture and decor are worth holding onto and which can be replaced.
Here, three interior designers highlight seven types of home items that they would recommend saying goodbye to during a spring clean because they’re no longer seen as being in style.
Word Art
Word art had its moment during the first few decades of the 21st century, but designers no longer consider it to be in vogue.
Rebecca Ward, the founder of Rebecca Ward Design, explains that you don’t need a sign to spell out the type of room when it’s obvious which one it is and recommends parting ways with any pieces of this nature.
That said, by no means should you leave your walls bare for good.
“Instead, opt for something more visually interesting, like metal wall art,” Ward says. “Bonus points if it’s crafted by a local artisan.”
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Worn Entry Rugs
When was the last time you replaced the rug in your home’s entryway? If it’s looking a little worse for wear, this may be a sign to say goodbye to it and bring in something new and fresh.
“Your entryway rug takes the brunt of foot traffic, and it shows,” Ward says, noting that any rug with frayed edges or stains is past its prime (or begging for a good clean). “A fresh rug can instantly revive your entry and set the tone for the rest of your home.”
Outdated Scents
Fragrance can play such an important role in the home, and if you’re someone who often burns candles yet hasn’t swapped in new scents from spring, consider this the time to do so.
“As the days get longer and brighter, heavy fall and winter candle scents can start to feel out of place,” Ward says.
This time of year, she explains, light, fresh fragrances, either in the form of candles or reed diffusers, will feel right at home.
Fake Plants
It’s time to part ways with your fake green friends and say hello to some live ones instead, Kaylee Pauley, the founder of Kaylee Pauley Interiors, says,
“To me, a home filled with thriving greenery feels lived-in, welcoming, and full of life,” she says.
Stand-Alone Bookcases
Rather than working with stand-alone bookcases, Rachael Rosenblum, the founder of Double R Design, is more and more drawn to wall-mounted options.
Rosenblum explains how a stand-alone bookshelf can look clunky and cumbersome, which can make a room look smaller since it underutilizes the space. Wall-mounted bookshelves, on the other hand, appeal to the designer because she finds that they look a bit lighter and help to make a space look larger.
Vintage Reproductions
Rather than infusing your home with heavily distressed furniture and vintage reproductions, consider embracing the real thing.
“We’re leaning into pieces that are authentically old, each carrying its own history—like an aged terracotta pot, antique ironstone dishes, or a well-loved mirror with a naturally timeworn frame,” Pauley says.
It’s easy to source beautiful vintage and antique items on a budget by shopping at local secondhand stores, flea markets, and estate sales. You certainly don’t have to spend much or travel far to scoop up some incredible-looking, story-filled pieces like the ones Pauley is describing.
Fast Furniture
On a somewhat similar note, fast furniture is also a no-go, Rosenblum shares, noting that these pieces will fade quickly, even though they may look good in the moment. She, too, is a proponent of opting for older, vintage pieces instead, noting that you can always reupholster or refinish them as needed.
“The process of sourcing older pieces of furniture, known as circularity in the design world, is the sustainable choice, as it keeps furniture out of landfills,” Rosenblum says.
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