Trends are fun and can even help bring your own creativity. There's obviously nothing wrong with trying them out especially if you're still in the process of determining your personal design style.
That said, not all interior design trends should be followed. In fact, many designers and decorators will argue that you should build a space with a design style in mind (something classic is timeless and is universally beloved) and only use trends when they make sense with the overall design aesthetic of your home as well as the lifestyle you lead.
This is because trends tend to be fast-fading, and relying completely on them can even make a space feel too much like a catalog home and unlived-in, versus a personal sanctuary that is filled with mementos and other heart-tugging pieces.
Using trends to dictate your interior design style can easily turn your home into a dated mess a few years down the line. With that, here are 4 interior design and decorating trends you're better off skipping, and what you should try out instead.
Avoid: White On White On White (or Gray on Gray!)
Try Instead: Layered Neutrals
Minimalist interior design is still just as popular as it was when Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics were all that designers and decorators talked about. And for good reason - minimalism as a design style is considered classic and has an understated elegance that is universally appealing.
One of minimalist design's main characteristics is the use of neutral color palettes. Many have taken this element and started to design all-white interiors. Walls, furniture, and even ornaments were white. While there is something commanding about a stark-white image, white on white in a home can feel unlivable due to its high maintenance requirements and almost-cold and flat aura.
The same thing can be said about all-gray interiors (which became a major trend after Pantone released its Colors of the Year in 2021), albeit there having a few more shades and tones to work with.
Fortunately, there is a way to make neutrals interesting and much easier to maintain, and that is to layer neutrals and play with natural hues. Introduce deep greens, blues, and similar colorways in the form of paint or even home décor, use natural woods and stone in furniture pieces, and bring depth and tactility to an otherwise one-dimensional space.
Avoid: Open Shelving
Try Instead: Glass Front Cabinet Doors
Another interior design trend that was born out of the world's obsession with the minimalist aesthetic is open shelving. Open shelving is supposed to address the issue of clunky kitchen cabinets and a top-heavy interior design by stripping storage systems to the barest of bones. Moreover, open shelves allow you to show off your fancy dinnerware and beautifully jarred pantry staples.
Like with many trends, the idea of open shelves is slowly beginning to lose its appeal and turn passé — largely because of its high maintenance requirements. This kind of storage style requires constant dust cleanup and maintenance. Not to mention, this isn't the best option for abodes in earthquake-prone areas, or even just homes with very kids and/or pets that have made a habit of climbing every surface they see.
Many who have begun to look at other cabinet storage styles have looked at glass front cabinets (frosted glass is slowly rising in popularity among the decorating crowd). This helps lighten the feel of top cabinetry in kitchens, with the added protection of actual cabinet doors.
Hidden storage is another alternative that many have opted for in place of exposed shelving.
Avoid: Faux Terrazzo and Marble
Try Instead: The Real Deal
There's a space for do-it-yourself interior design and décor, but using fake materials in place of natural elements are almost often not worth the amount of effort it takes to pursue DIY projects. The problem with using materials like stick-on prints that only look like stone — e.g. terrazzo and marble — is that they never look genuine and can even lead to irreparable damage to the actual surfaces. This also goes for faux wood and bricks.
Of course, the reason why these fake materials are even popular in the first place is because the real deal is pricey and harder to maintain, especially in a space that sees a lot of activity, like your kitchen counters or bathroom floors. That said, the payoff of real, natural materials like true terrazzo or veined marble is unbeatable.
If this is not available for you, you can always design your space with more affordable stone like quartzite or finished concrete. (Want a worthwhile investment that will house your precious terrazzo tiles à la Mandy Moore or your more economical brushed concrete flooring? View our property listings here.)
Avoid: Matching Furniture
Try Instead: Mixing Things Up
Variety is the name of the game — especially in interior design and decorating — which means uniform design styles and matching furniture are best saved in catalogs, editorials, and model houses versus your own home. Aside from lacking personality, matching furniture can quickly date a space and even feel cheap due to its cookie-cutter nature.
Your personal space should reflect your bright personality and tell your life story. The warmest homes are homes that were designed with intention and meaning behind the choice of furniture, fixtures, and ornaments.
Mix things up by avoiding complete sets from furniture showrooms and instead relying on your discerning eye to make smart design choices. Pairing contemporary home pieces with antiques can increase a room's visual interest. In addition, build design diversity by using a multitude of textures, playing around with colors, and embracing the quirky ornaments that catch your eye when shopping. At the end of the day, designing your personal space should make you feel good and free, and not at all constricted by a matching set.
If you don't know where to start in the "maximalist" approach, consider choosing nonmatching pieces that have complementary colors, designs, and even materials. For example, mismatched chairs painted in the same hue are a great way to introduce character to your dining area.
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