Every once in a while, a client will raise a very poignant question with regard to their interior design.
They’ll say: “Is this too trendy?”
It’s a valid concern. They think that if they go ahead and dive into something new, it won’t be quite as delightful in a couple of years and all their expense and effort will be wasted.
The truth is, if a look is really popular, if you see it all over HGTV and Pinterest, it probably is trendy. If you see it a lot, chances are that other people like it just as much as you do.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use it.
Deconstructing The Concept: Outdated Trends
If you gravitate toward a trend, if you like it enough to spend money on it now, you’re probably still going to love it in ten years. Don’t let the fear of something being too trendy stop you from doing it if it makes you happy!
Think about it – would it be better to settle for something you don’t really like as much and then still want to change it down the road? Or would you be better off choosing something that really floats your boat?
So what if your neighbor thinks it’s outdated. Who cares! They’re not the ones living with it!
Start With A Few Features Before Going All-In
If diving into uncharted design territory is a terrifying thought, there are still ways to do trendy without going too over the top. Instead of doing the whole kitchen in a trendy style, why not just choose a couple of trendy looks or items, or maybe have a trendy backsplash and stay neutral on other features. This approach will give the design a little more staying power and perhaps, once you settle into it, you can decide whether you want to go all-in.
Say you decide to go with gray cabinets and a marble countertop, a white subway tile backsplash with gray grout, and glass pendant lights. In ten years, it’s definitely going to be dated. However, just going with one or two of those ideas can give you the change you want without making the room a time capsule.
It’s A Trap
Design trends can be a bit of a trap. We are bombarded with media all the time – images, articles, shows, all these different approaches. The trick is to make sure you genuinely like something – as opposed to just being comfortable with it because you’ve seen it everywhere.
Keep in mind that there are so many things that you haven’t seen that you might also like – or like even better.
The Myth Of Inexpensive Trends
Many people tend to think that just because an item or a look is trendy that it’s not going to be that expensive. The philosophy is that supply is good, and there’s plenty go around. This is not always the case.
Farmhouse Sinks
For example, farmhouse sinks are currently very on-trend with the fixer-upper/rustic-y farmhouse kind of style. You might think that because it’s so popular, it can’t be very expensive. After all, they look so simple and old-fashioned!
Reality check: it’s a $1300 sink.
It may look like it’s 150 years old, but if you’re buying a brand-new one with a divider in it, it’s going to run you at least $900.
Subway Tile
Subway tile is another trendy choice, and while it is not very expensive per square foot, you still have a big kitchen to wrap with it, and you have to have it professionally installed. There’s really no alternative if you want it to look great.
So, bottom line – to get some of today’s primitive, simple, and trendy looks, it’s not always going to be the most economical way to go.
Not Everything Trending Right Now Is Going To Match Your House
No matter what you decide, keep in mind that not every trendy look is going to fit seamlessly with the rest of your home’s interior design. Unless you’re committed to an extensive interior design makeover, you will need to choose looks and items that will tie in somehow.
For instance, if you did your kitchen in a design that was in high contrast to the rest of your home, it would never look quite right. It doesn’t have to be the same style as everything else, but ideally, it should look like it’s part of the bigger picture.
Searching for great interior design ideas for your St. Louis home? Let’s talk about it! We’d love to hear your ideas and show you how we can help.
