5 Reasons to Ignore Home Trends, According To Designers

Read this before buying into the "next big thing" in home interiors.

There’s more pressure today than ever before to keep up with the latest trends. This is particularly true when it comes to our homes. Whether it's "TikTok made me buy it" decor, the paint color of the moment, or that sofa you’ve been seeing everywhere and just can’t stop thinking about—the next big thing is always around the corner.

But is this necessarily the best approach to decorating? According to many interior designers, the answer is no. While trendy items can make a home look beautiful, they aren’t essential to creating a space you truly love. Often, having an abundance of trendy things and aesthetics can have the opposite effect. Here are five reasons to ignore interior designer trends.

Timeless Is Better Than Timely

While you might be attracted to a trend at the moment—in the long term, something timeless will always look better, explains Heather Kates, Design Director at MDI Luxury Design, “Trends come and go, but to me there is nothing more beautiful than a timeless, classic interior," she says. "With the introduction of social media, trends seem to come and go much quicker than they did in the past. It can be overwhelming keeping up with the latest and greatest.”

Trends Can Be Hard on the Wallet

While it’s nice to occasionally incorporate trends into our homes, according to Carrie Moore of Carrie Moore Interior Design, costs can add up, especially when it comes to big-ticket items.

“Following trends can lead us to make impulsive decisions that are less enduring, which ultimately leads us to spend more money over time as we continue to swap things out, which is not a sustainable way of living.”

Trends Can Clash With Your Existing Aesthetic

While you might like a certain trend, it might not coordinate well with your overall design scheme, says HGTV star and interior designer Shay Holland. One example she cites is Peach Fuzz, which is Pantone’s Color Of The Year. “This year, we’ll see shades of peach, sunburnt red and orange," she says. "These are not the easiest colors to live with or incorporate in a way that makes a home feel cohesive.”

However, if you’re drawn to a trendy color or print, that doesn't necessarily mean you should forgo it altogether. Holland recommends incorporating the trend through pillows, curtains, or other decor that’s affordable and easy to replace.

Trends May Not Work With Your Home's Architecture

Remember when the modern farmhouse was all the rage? While this style certainly worked in many homes—it probably looked out of place in your friend’s modern city condo. Holland tells me if a style doesn’t work with your home, it's a big no. “Think Tuscan style kitchens in the middle of the Midwest. Maximalism at the beach," she says. "Fussy styles often don’t work in coastal areas, for example, because the lifestyle is all about ease, simplicity, and sandy feet.”

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. “You could incorporate a trend in a powder room or maybe a guest bedroom if it’s a departure from everything else going on in your home," she says. "But, in general, save yourself the expense if a trend doesn’t fit with how and where you live.”

Trends Can Lack Functionality

We all have to live in our homes. So, practicality should still be a priority. “If a design choice makes it hard to live in your home, like extreme Kim Kardashian minimalism and open bathrooms without storage, it’s time to take a hard pass," Holland says. "If the design is not homeowner-friendly, leave it for Pinterest and magazine covers."

This is particularly true for homes with children and pets. For example, while white boucle sofas can be chic, they’re not exactly easy to clean if someone has an accident or spills a drink.

Related: Skip These 7 Design Trends if You Want To Clean Less Often, Design Experts Say

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