What does cheugy mean?
So what does cheugy (pronounced chew-gee) even mean? This term, as you’ll learn, can be difficult to describe but easy to identify. Gaining popularity on TikTok, Gen Z has coined the buzzword “cheugy” as a word to describe outdated trends, specifically targeting common styles and preferences among millennials. Whether it be interior design trends, obsessions with certain TV shows and movies, or wearing certain clothing brands, the term is only meant to poke fun at the generational differences.
Is your home decor cheugy?
Now you may be wondering if your interior design and home decor fall into the category of “cheugy”. Ultimately, your style and taste need to reflect what you like and what makes you happy. The key is surrounding yourself with pieces that you love instead of avoiding items you’d otherwise like because they might be considered “cheugy”.
Trends are always changing, and something that’s categorized as “cheugy” today may not be tomorrow. We asked experts from Vancouver, CA to Miami, FL, to India, to reveal outdated decor and design trends that so many of us are guilty of.
Cheugy home decor trends
Large damask patterns, floral repeat patterns, leather patterned wallpaper
We are seeing large damask patterns, repeat patterns, and leather patterns going out of fashion for wallpapers. Large wall murals of chinoiserie, tropical, floral, natural marble, or stone finish wallpaper are becoming trendy. – Apourva, CEO of Life N Colors, a leading wallpaper designer.
As per Apourva, wallpapers are becoming a very important element of home decor in India and abroad. Wallpapers are now used in bedrooms, lobbies, kids rooms, living rooms, dining areas, study rooms, lounges, and offices. Another significant trend is use of custom made wallpaper designs which are unique to your design requirements. People are becoming more comfortable buying wallpapers online.
Barn doors, shiplap, and word quotes
To me, cheugy home decor is cookie-cutter, unoriginal, and trendy for the sake of trendy – things you see in every Pinterest post or decor Instagram feed. My least favorite cheugy decor trends are rolling barn doors (who wants to use the bathroom in a barn?), shiplap (expensive and overused – try a wallpaper accent wall instead), generic word quotes (better to check out Etsy or art fairs for cool finds by local artists). It’s more fun to develop your own style than follow trends – I’d recommend getting a few design books, perusing local vintage shops, and finding unique elements that you truly love. – Bonnie Bryant Creative
Televisions are a thing of the past
Goodbye television, hello happiness. As media becomes ever-present and overly accessible, focusing a living room around a large TV media center has begun to feel clunky and distracting to socializing in shared spaces. Instead of a television, centering attention on artwork or a natural view will help quiet the mind, drawing attention to the people in the room instead of the screen. – Sarah Barnard Design
Contrasting color on kitchen islands is a cheugy home trend
Instead, keep color simple and uniform. Add interest and warmth by layering with textured backsplash, wood accents, and mixed metals. – Reed & Acanthus Interior Design
Wall-to-wall carpeting and espresso-colored cabinets
It’s pretty passé; and I don’t think it’s coming back even for just sanitation purposes, not to mention the development of modular carpet tiles. I believe espresso-colored kitchen cabinets are cheugy and are not going to last much longer than the caffeine high. – Lily Z Designs
Sticking with the grey palette
Ditch your boring grey colour palette: Greys can be a great backdrop and easy colour selection for interior decor. However, 2021 has seen a shift away from the neutral/cool grey palette. Over the last decade, cool greys have been a go-to choice for paint, and even furniture for most. It is easy, practical, and ultimately seen as a clean airy look. I say ditch the boring cool grey palette and bring on the colour. Going big and bold is better nowadays, and we have noticed that more and more of our clients prefer having more colour and warmth in their homes. Nothing says inviting like a bold dark colour in a small space to create a statement or conversation. – Melissa Lepage, Senior Interior Decorator at Courtney Turk Interiors
Purchasing “fast furniture”
Cheap, fast factory-made furniture became popular in the mid-’90s is a cheugy home trend that you’d typically toss after a few months of use or the next time you moved. This has become outdated and a thing of the past. Now that there are “performance fabrics” that are stain-resistant, and can withstand heavy-duty wear and tear, homeowners are seeing the value in investing in custom-designed furniture that they can enjoy for years to come. Plus they can have beautiful functional furniture that can become collective pieces that can be passed down or refurbished to tell a unique story and reduce waste and money. – Monique Nicole
Cheugy home decor includes gallery walls with trinkets incorporated
Gallery walls that are too filled in with tchotchkes, or too many items that don’t match in scale or theme will feel like the early 2000’s and will not be the chic expression of your personal style that you’re hoping for. Opt for a similar type of frame with a thought-out color pallet for photos. Or do a mix of different frames, but all black and white photos. Avoid home decor that’s cheugy and hire a professional artwork hanger in your area will also help ensure your gallery wall has a designer touch. – Mountain Home Collective
Accent walls
There are so many new, fresh design trends that we can let go of the ones that should be lost and forgotten. One trend we need to let go of is cool gray, especially on walls. That color always reminds me of battleships. Also, stop it with the shiplap and barn doors since you weren’t raised in a barn. One last tip: accent color walls need to go. You did this in college so don’t do it at home. Painting a room one color allows you to be chic from start to finish. – Kevin Hall Interior Designer
About Life N Colors Wallpapers
If you're interested in buying wallpapers for your walls, then you do not need to look beyond lifencolors!
With a team of expertise in interior design, lifencolors stands by its name and brings out life and colors to your walls! Our wallpapers are carefully crafted to fit every space such as a dining room, master bedroom, kids bedroom walls, or even offices!
Feel free to give us a visit here and start your journey into the world of wallpapers!
Article originally published by Julia Weaver on www.redfin.com