UK-based interior designers are expressing growing concern over TikTok’s role in promoting “disposable décor”—with trends like vibrant accent walls and popular DIY panelling ideas often proving impractical and expensive to reverse.
Design professionals argue that many of the viral looks circulating on social media contribute to unsustainable buying habits. The Guardian recently reported that up to 70 million household décor items are binned across Britain every year, largely due to consumers chasing short-term styles influenced by social media creators and high-street brands.
TikTok hashtags like #interiordesign and #dopaminedecor have attracted billions of views, pushing fast-changing trends that prioritise impact over longevity. According to a piece from Net-a-Porter, home influencers are rapidly switching between themes, bright colour pops, dramatic wallpaper, and trendy wall trims, often discarding or repainting their interiors after just a few weeks.
Interior experts are voicing concerns about the rise of what some have called ‘cringe-worthy décor’. A Sun feature recently highlighted common mistakes like slogan wall art, grey-on-grey styling, and overly themed rooms that quickly fall out of favour.
In contrast, advocates for ‘slow decorating‘, as described by Veranda Magazine, promote building interiors over time with meaningful, well-crafted pieces. They argue that interior design should evolve naturally rather than be influenced by what’s trending online.
“TikTok offers stunning visual inspiration, but that comes with a risk,” explains Adam McGrory, Managing Director of MR Mouldings. “Trend-led decoration often leads people to repaint, redecorate, or refit their spaces regularly. While that can be creatively exciting, it’s not always sustainable.”
“When home décor becomes disposable—swapped out every few months—it drives unnecessary spending and can compromise build quality,” he adds. “A trend might look great in a 60-second clip, but it rarely holds up in everyday living. The reality of those materials, fittings and finishes is very different from what’s shown online.”
About MR Mouldings
MR Mouldings is a UK-based manufacturer and supplier of high-quality MDF skirting boards, architraves, and decorative mouldings. With a focus on precision, durability, and design versatility, the company serves homeowners, tradespeople, and property developers across the UK. MR Mouldings is committed to craftsmanship, long-lasting materials, and considered interior detailing.
