Happy New Year! I hope you had a great time celebrating, and that returning to normality hasn’t been too painful…
The start of a new year always brings lots of articles with predictions for upcoming interior-design trends, so I want to kick off my 2020 blog posts by sharing my own thoughts on them – and why I reckon they should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Before I go any further, I do think it’s worth keeping an eye on emerging trends, as they often provide useful ideas or unexpected inspiration. I’m always excited to see new-season collections for the same reason, and I often cover my favourites here, together with round-ups from trade shows such as the Stockholm Furniture Fair. After all, you never know when you might stumble across the perfect solution for a tricky room, or that elusive piece that you’ve been searching for for years.
But – and it’s a big but – I don’t think anyone should be led by trends. The most successful and enduring interiors are an expression of the people who live in them – their personalities, their interests, their experiences, their hopes and dreams – and not a reflection of someone else’s tastes. The world would be very boring if we all decorated in the same way, and few of us have the time or money to keep up with ever-changing fashions. It’s not exactly a sustainable approach, either.
So, how can you navigate the noise and buzz around trends and stay focused on creating a home that’s true to you?
Firstly, I think it helps to seek out design that has already endured the test of time. One of the reasons I’m so drawn to Scandinavian and mid-century pieces is that they were created to last for decades, and even be passed down through the generations. In fact, some of my favourites (Hans J. Wegner’s ‘Wishbone’ chair, Harry Bertoia’s ‘Wire’ chair, Mogens Lassen’s ‘Kubus’ candleholder) were designed back in the 1940s, 50s and 60s but they look just as good today as when they were first launched. If you’re not a fan of mid-century aesthetics, then look out for antique or vintage items, or high-quality contemporary pieces that go beyond passing fads – the design classics of tomorrow, if you like. They might all be a little more expensive to buy in the short term (although not always – the original Bertoia chairs in my dining room were secondhand bargains), but I think they’re worth the investment if you can manage it. They’ll likely stay with you for life and easily adapt as you move from home to home.
If a particular trend does catch your eye, then take some time to think about why before rushing out to buy it. Do you really like it, and can you see yourself still liking it in a few years’ time? If so, then great. But if you’re only drawn to it because you’re suddenly seeing it across magazines, Instagram and Pinterest, or because of the way you think it will make other people view you and your home, then it’s probably best to walk on by.
Similarly, if you love something, don’t ditch it just because a magazine or blog says it’s no longer ‘in’. I’ve lost track of the amount of times I’ve heard that grey is ‘over’ and minimalism is ‘dead’, but I like the feeling of calmness that neutral colours and a lack of clutter bring (you can read more about why here), so I’m not planning to shake things up any time soon. I’m not for a moment suggesting that homes should stay static (I often play around with different arrangements and accessories), but they should evolve in a way that suits us and our lifestyles rather than changing entirely just for the sake of it.
If you do want to play around with a new trend, perhaps stick to a few accessories while you work out whether it’s one you truly love or not, or try painting a wall – a change that can be reversed without involving too much cost or unnecessary waste. Conversely, bathrooms, kitchens and large pieces of furniture such as sofas and beds generally aren’t good places to experiment!
In short, trends are a useful resource and nothing more. They’re certainly not a definitive guide to how we should decorate our own homes, and I strongly believe we should focus primarily on what makes us feel happy and comfortable. For some, that will mean pared-back neutrals and clean lines; for others, clashing patterns and lots of vibrant colour. If you’re reading this blog then you probably veer towards the former, but there really are no right or wrong answers. If you love your home, that’s all that really matters.
How about you? Do you keep an eye on trends? Have you ever fallen for any and regretted it? Or do you have any tips to share? I’d love to know your thoughts, so please leave a comment below!
All images by Abi Dare
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Love this Abi… I would love to be more minimal… I’m going to try! I’ve been quite boLd with some of my rooms… I’m not sure if I will still like them all in 10 years time.. we will see!! What you say all makes total scense! I enjoyed reading your blog!! Xxx
Thanks so much for your comment Nina – so glad you liked the post! If you love your home then that’s all that really matters, whether it’s minimalist, bold or a mix of the two! I just don’t want anyone to feel they have to keep up with trends just for the sake of it xx
Grey and white always make for creative interiors!
I agree – they needn’t be dull, and they’re definitely timeless!
This is so true, trends are great but I think too often they encourage people to be in a constant state of feeling like they need to update or redo their home, when really a beautiful interior needs time to develop. Your home should make you happy and that’s what really matters, not others’ opinions…
Hi Gracie, thanks for your comment! You’re so right. If we give in to the pressure to follow trends then we’ll always feel our homes aren’t good enough, or stylish enough, when all that really matters is that we like them!
Hi Abi,
This one is a really unique and refreshing post on interior design trends. The way you explained whether to go for the latest interior design trend or stick with an existing one is just class!
Thanks for writing and sharing this!
Thanks so much for the kind words – great to hear you liked the post!
I love the idea of looking at trends but remembering that they come and go through the years. My spouse and I are going to redecorate our home this year so that it’s more modern. We need to work with professionals so that things look their best for as long as possible.
I totally agree you Abi on focusing on what makes us feel happy and comfortable. I mean sure following a trend sure sounds exciting, but would you be loving it even after a couple of years?
I am an interior designer too and certainly I really appreciate the thought of going your own style instead of following what blogs and magazines are asking or suggesting you follow. I can really relate as we know better what suits us or what goes better with our environment. Thanks for sharing such a good and refreshing advice through your article.
Thanks for your comment – so glad you liked the post. It’s definitely best to do what suits us best, not just follow trends.
Hey Abi.
Great post! It’s been really fun seeing people explore these trends throughout the year (especially considering there’s not been much else to do ?).
Scandinavian furniture and aesthetics have really caught my eye recently (yeah I might be a little bit behind on this one). I like that you’re buying second-hand too. That’s the best way I’ve found of getting my hands on some great pieces and feeling much more positive about my purchases at the same time. I actually wrote something similar on my own website in a piece about 2021 trends if you want to take a look – https://www.justanothermagazine.com/design/budget-friendly-2021-home-decor-trends/ ?
You make a great point about trends being temporary and how we shouldn’t all get carried away by them – especially when it comes to something as expensive as furniture! Great post as always and I can’t wait to see how many of these are still relevant by the year’s end. P.S Minimalism isn’t dead in this house!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Stevie – and great to hear minimalism isn’t dead with you. The most important thing when decorating is what makes us happy – though sometimes it’s really difficult to cut out all the noise and focus on that.
I could not agree more! Trends are great for inspiration and fresh ideas, but your home should always reflect YOU. I am also a fan of grey and minimalism ;). I think this approach works for clothing too – fashion trends can be fun to try out, but your wardrobe should say something about YOU, not what is in all the magazines right now.
The bookshelf near the fireplace looks interesting. Do you make it yourself or order a custom design? I have a similar spot and want to make it like yours. Thank you for providing this inspiration, great
Thanks for the kind words! We hired a local carpenter to make the bookshelves and cupboards in the alcoves. Our walls are really wonky so we wouldn’t have done a very good job ourselves!