Old-fashioned home decor designers say you should definitely throw it out when you do a major cleaning.

Important points

• Replace outdated decorations like word art or fake plants with fresh, visually interesting or lively alternatives.

• Refresh your space and create a more inviting home by replacing worn-out rugs, candles, and furniture.

• Spring cleaning can help you declutter your home and update it with timeless, sustainable, and functional items.

Spring cleaning is about more than just donating clothes that no longer fit or letting go of dirty or broken items around the house. It’s also a good time to evaluate your home’s décor and be realistic about which furniture and decorations are worth keeping and which can be replaced.

Here, three interior designers recommend seven interior items you should let go of during your spring cleaning because they’re no longer considered trendy.

meet an expert

word art

Although word art had its moment in the first decades of the 21st century, designers no longer consider word art to be trendy.

Rebecca Ward, founder of Rebecca Ward Design, explains that you don’t need signs detailing the type of room if it’s obvious which room it is, and recommends letting go of anything of this nature.

However, walls should not be left bare forever.

“Instead, choose something visually interesting, like metal wall art,” says Ward. “Bonus points if it’s made by local artisans.”

worn door rug

When was the last time you replaced the rug in your entryway? If it’s starting to look a little worn out, it might be a sign to say goodbye to it and introduce something new and fresh.

“Porch rugs obviously take the brunt of foot traffic,” Ward says, noting that rugs with frayed edges or stains are past their lifespan (or need a good cleaning). “A new rug will instantly liven up your entryway and set the tone for the rest of your home.”

outdated scent

Fragrance plays a very important role in your home. If you burn candles often but haven’t updated them with new scents since spring, consider this the time to do so.

“As the days get longer and brighter, the heavy candle scents of fall and winter can start to feel out of place,” says Ward.

She explains that light, fresh scents from candles and reed diffusers are soothing at this time of year.

fake plants

It’s time to say goodbye to your fake green friends and say hello to your living friends instead, says Kaylie Pauley, founder of Kaylee Pauley Interiors.

“For me, a home filled with lush greenery feels lived-in, inviting, and vibrant,” she says.

freestanding bookshelf

Rachel Rosenblum, founder of Rachel Rosenblum Design, is increasingly drawn to wall-mounted options rather than freestanding bookshelves.

Rosenblum explains how freestanding bookshelves can look clunky and unwieldy, and can make a room look smaller because they don’t fully utilize the space. Wall-mounted bookshelves, on the other hand, are appealing to designers because they look a little lighter and can help make a space appear larger.

vintage reproductions

Rather than incorporating heavily damaged furniture or vintage reproductions into your home, consider embracing the real thing.

“We focus on really old pieces, each with its own unique history, like aged terracotta pots, antique ironstone plates, and beloved mirrors with naturally worn frames,” Pauly says.

By shopping at local thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales, and antique markets, you can easily find beautiful vintage and antique items on a budget. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or travel far to get incredibly beautiful, story-filled pieces like the ones Polley describes.

fast furniture

Similarly, fast furniture is a no-no, and even if it looks good in the moment, these pieces fade quickly, Rosenblum says. She, too, advocates opting for older, vintage pieces instead, noting that you can always reupholster or refinish them if needed.

“The process of sourcing old furniture, known in the design world as circularity, is a sustainable choice because it keeps furniture out of landfills,” Rosenblum says.

Read the original article on The Spruce