Why I Don't Encourage My Clients to Follow Design Trends

Trends are fun, accessible, and easy to participate in. So why don’t I encourage my clients to follow them? Simply put, the more “on-trend” elements used in a project, the more dated the room becomes. (A couple of months ago, I touched on this when I wrote this post about blending design styles.) 

This is not to say that I won’t incorporate trends into the design if that’s what makes the homeowners happy. My work is about collaboration and elevating the ideas that my clients may have. If they have their hearts set on an element or a product, I’ll do everything in my power to make it work, so long as it will meet their design goals.

The current trending design style is often described as “Luxury Modern.” We’re seeing a lot of viola marble tables and vanities, reeded wood finishes on doors and panels, neutral color groupings, solid textiles that have a great deal of texture and very little pattern, and curvilinear lines (such as arches) in architectural elements like doorways and furniture. It’s lovely. And guess what—it will be a timestamp in 10 years, just the way that chalk-painted furniture and white shiplap are now. 

I know I made some design enthusiasts mad with that last statement. That wasn’t my intent, but I do believe this is something to consider when designing a room or home. It is so important to focus on what lights you up instead of having what’s popular right now.

So, how do you do that? What is one to do when the trending style really is a true expression of their personal style but they don't want their home to look dated or feel pressured to update their home with the next design trend? My suggestion is to blend design styles. Take a few of the trending elements you love and pair them with some elements of other styles that you and your designer find to be timeless. Or maybe create a variation that makes it unique to your project. It will make you happy to be surrounded by those elements, and you will be able to enjoy them for years to come.

I will be the first to say, this requires careful curation and a certain understanding of interior design that most homeowners don’t have. And that’s okay. If they have the will to learn, they absolutely can do so. And if they don’t have the time or energy to teach themselves, a designer can do this and make it look easy.

If you would like to get started on your timeless interior, I’d love to be the designer to help you! Please click here so we can get a call scheduled and get your project underway!

Until then,

MB