When we talk about home design, so many trends can be tempting to follow, especially when you completely find yourself in one of them. However, experienced interior designers know that often most popular ideas look great on Instagram but don’t work so well in real life. We all want a timeless, functional and cozy home, not an out of the catalog scene. Here are six trends which many designers, including myself, avoid in our homes, along with some better alternatives to keep your space looking fresh, functional, and fabulous.
1. Overly Themed Rooms
Rooms that are heavily decorated in a certain theme or style can often feel overdone and lack versatility. For example, a Victorian-style room can include heavy drapes, ornate kitsch furniture, and dark moody colors. Although these elements can look beautiful in moderation, going all-in with this style can make the space feel outdated, too formal or even stuffy. It’s hard to relax and feel cozy in a room that feels like it belongs in a museum.
I’d suggest subtle nods to a theme instead, through accessories, color schemes, textures or accent items. For example, for a Victorian-inspired space, choose one or two statement pieces, like a tufted armchair or an antique mirror. Adding these elements to a contemporary or classic styled room, will create a balanced and approachable look. This tip works for other themes as well and brings in the mood without overwhelming the space.
2. Cluttered Open Shelving in Kitchens
While open shelving really can look stylish and elegant, in reality, used in a kitchen it becomes impractical. Putting aside that it’s a magnet for grease and dust, it requires constant cleaning and tidying so it could always look uncluttered and picture-ready. Kitchen is a part of the home where there is a lot of action, a lot of tools for preparing food, often messy but with closed shelving you have the advantage of hiding all the clutter.
Instead, combine closed cabinetry with several open shelves. This way you can display a few pretty things while hiding the everyday mess behind the closed doors. That is the perfect balance of style and functionality.
3. Too much grey
Grey-on-grey interiors had their moment, monochromatic spaces are still in. But grey, being one of the coldest shades, now often feels lifeless and sterile. A home should feel warm and inviting, not like a rainy day. This trend has been overused and is now considered uninspiring.
Every interior designer is obsessed with warmth, layers and textures. The thing we do to warm up cold spaces is warming up a palette with colors like beige, terracotta or olive green. Adding natural textures like wood and linen also adds depth and makes the space feel more alive. If you’re a fan of bright colors, you can even make a big difference by adding a pop of color through some accent pieces or small accessories.
4. Overly minimalistic rooms
Minimalism is an appealing and trendy style but just as you can go overboard in furnishing your home, you can also go under. I already mentioned that we don’t want the room to seem sterile, but besides that, excessive minimalism will also make it seem cold and unwelcoming.
When practicing minimalism in your home, in addition to understanding the concept of this style, you must understand that there is a fine line between minimalism and an empty space. You want to create a free and not a half-filled space. Designers overcome this challenge by adding a personal touch, soft textures and warm lighting.
5. Matching furniture sets
Another trend that was quite in at its time is matching furniture sets. Just as it was unthinkable not to match the color of your shoes and bag, it was shameful in interior design circles that, for example, you don’t equip the living room with a whole set of the same upholstered furniture, which consists of a three-seater, two-seater and an armchair. But now that we know better, we learned that a perfectly matched furniture set can make your home look like a showroom — and not in a good way. It lacks personality and doesn’t tell a story.
Mix it up! Designers love pairing modern and vintage items. For example: a sleek modern sofa with a vintage side table, or adding a mid-century coffee table to a contemporary room. It’s the mix that makes it interesting! Besides, this way you can incorporate that old grandmother’s armchair that you are so emotionally attached to. And take my word for it, very soon those mismatched pieces will become the focal point of your room.
6. Wall-to-wall carpet
This might feel cozy, but it’s a magnet for dust and allergens and can look worn out pretty quickly. It is also difficult to maintain and you don’t have an easy possibility to change. With wall-to-wall carpet, the space often looks smaller and lower, installing is more labor intensive and it may limit your design choices, since it comes in fewer colors, styles and patterns compared to area rugs.
I cannot stress this enough, you want a space that is warm but easy to maintain. Hardwood or tile floors with a great area rug are my go-to. They’re easier to clean and give you more flexibility to change up the look over time. Rugs can also be swapped out seasonally for a fresh feel.
Conclusion
These are just a few trends you should steer clear of in your home because of how impractical or short-lived they can be. By choosing timeless, functional alternatives, you can create a space that feels personal and stands the test of time. Designing your home is about creating a space that reflects your personality and lifestyle, not just following what’s trending.