5 trends you thought were tacky that designers say we should all reconsider in 2026

When it comes to interiors, we can all be guilty of being a bit too dismissive of certain trends and design styles. Labeling them as too dated, too flashy, or even totally tacky.

But as someone who used to work in fashion, I know better than anyone that trend forecasting is a circular business and interior design trends have a funny way of coming back around. And often, on the second go, they're even chicer.

It turns out, many of the 'tacky' looks I’d written off are actually gaining momentum again. From carpeted bathrooms to chintz, designers urge you to reconsider some of these tacky and outdated trends you might have once considered a decorative faux pas, and give them a second look for 2026.

5 'tacky' trends to reconsider in 2026

Interior design styles and details that were once a hard no are now creeping their way back onto my Pinterest boards and fighting for a place in my home.

But while we might playfully call them 'tacky', these aren't necessarily bad design choices. Just trends that suffered from being overdone or poorly executed in the past. It’s not that these styles don’t work; it’s just that we often associate them with a specific era when they were used to excess. Tacky in one decade can be chic in the next.

'Take wallpaper, once synonymous with fussy florals and sticky removal; it’s now a tool for drama, depth, and artistic storytelling. Brass, too, had its “dated” phase, but designers are embracing it again for its warmth and subtle sheen. Even shag rugs, banished to retro basements, are reemerging in muted tones and sophisticated piles,' explains designer Nina Lichtenstein. 'The lesson? What feels tacky in one era can feel timeless in another, depending on how it’s reimagined.'

When reimagined with a modern eye, these tacky trends can actually end up looking incredibly high-end. Here are 5 that designers think you should rethink.

1. Carpet in the bathroom

If you’d told me a few years ago that carpet in the bathroom was making a comeback, I would have laughed – or possibly gagged. But lately, I’ve noticed designers rethinking this divisive bathroom flooring.

'I’m not going to lie, carpet in a bathroom is having a bit of a resurgence, and I’m actually here for it!' says interior designer Sean Symington. 'In our studio, we always treat bathrooms as an extension of the home rather than a sterile, tiled box. Adding softness makes the space feel warmer and more inviting. A few years ago, I would’ve said absolutely not, but I can totally see the appeal now.'

He points out that it can be done, so long as you pick durable, practical materials. 'Sisal, for example, is a great in-between that renews the look and feel of this design.'

2. Mural walls

Wall mural ideas have died out a little over the past few decades and have been seen as tacky, but with a softer, more artistic, and contemporary approach, the mural is well and truly back.

'Hand-painted walls are enjoying a resurgence, and I think they deserve their place,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'Much like the stencilling trend of the early 1990s, painted murals can bring individuality and make a statement, but today they are approached with more refinement.'

'A softly painted landscape or abstract motif can transform a wall into something deeply personal and unique,' she adds. And because they're designed as one large piece of art, designers say that mural walls are the new accent wall. But no, we still aren't bringing back the painted accent wall.

3. Tiled fireplaces

I’ve always associated full-height fireplace tiles with tacky, heavy-handed retro schemes, but designers are proving that this tile trend can be wonderfully sophisticated when done right.

'Another trend worth revisiting is the use of tiles on fireplaces and chimney breasts,' adds Lauren. 'In a recent project, we tiled the chimney breast to add visual interest and texture, and it became the focal point of the room.'

'It brings character and depth, reminding us that surfaces can be more than simply functional; they can also be expressive.'

4. Glass and mirror accents

There are a handful of nostalgic styles making an unexpected return, but the one I'm most surprised to see on the list is decorating with mirrors and glass.

'Nostalgia has become one of design’s greatest playgrounds,' says Nina. 'The glass block wall, maligned for decades, is finding new life as sculptural room dividers that diffuse light beautifully. Even mirrored accents, long relegated to “disco” status, are back as subtle, geometric details that add glam without overwhelm.'

'When viewed through today’s lens, these so-called tacky trends aren’t relics,' she adds. 'They’re reminders that design thrives when we blend history with reinvention.' A natural progression from the chrome decor trend, when used sparingly, a retro glass lamp, mirror wall, or accent piece can bring texture, playfulness, and even a touch of glamour to a space that might otherwise have felt flat.

5. Chintz

Finally, we come to the return of chintz. Perhaps the easiest of these trends to incorporate, but certainly not the most contemporary. Traditional chintz floral decor conjures images of my childhood home – but today’s take on tiny florals is less overwhelming, more considered.

'White, sterile, and minimalistic spaces have dominated design for quite some time, but homeowners are increasingly weary of living in cookie-cutter, builder-grade interiors,' says Nicole Forina of Nicole Forina Home. 'Remember when chintz had its maximalist moment in the 80s and 90s – covering nearly every surface in a room? No one’s looking to revisit that level of excess, but what they are craving is something more personal.'

'I call it mindful maximalism: the art of layering color, pattern, and soul into your styling and decor without tipping into overload. It strikes a balance between classic and current, while remaining completely and uniquely you.' It’s the perfect antidote to the pared-back minimalism we’ve seen dominate for years, bringing back personality in a way that still feels stylish rather than chaotic.

A trend we once dismissed as tacky can reappear years later, reimagined and refined into something fresh. From bathroom carpet to mirrored accents, the key lies in your clever execution. As Nina Lichtenstein adds, 'Sometimes it’s not about rejecting a trend outright, but about rethinking its expression.'

With that in mind, I’m starting to look at so-called 'bad taste' with a lot more curiosity – because who knows which of today’s faux pas will be tomorrow’s favorite?