Recently, my husband Jack and I have been going to different stores and trying to decide if certain trends will be around long enough for us to justifying investing in them. So today, we’ll be going through the trends we think you should avoid and we’ll also give you a few little tips and tricks of how you can include trends in your home that you like but do it in a long-lasting way. 

Trend #1- Sculptural Furniture

I’m not against sculptural furniture. I actually think that it’s really cool! However, I think simply including a sculptural piece or two is all you need to add a touch of sophistication to your home. Think about adding a unique sculptural vase, but keep the sofa you already have! 

Trend #2- Subway Tile

It’s not that subway tile is out– it’s such a basic thing! That would be like saying couches are out! Instead, we’re thinking about looking at adding subway tiles that have a little something different to them like marble or an elongated style. 

Subway tile is truly a classic but when it becomes so common there can be a little bit of visual fatigue, so we just need to freshen it up! 

Trend #3- Blond Wood

I know some of you are like, “No, she didn’t!”. Don’t get me wrong. I love blond wood, but I think it can easily get a little boring when your entire home and every accent piece is a blond wood material. There’s just not enough contrast! 

If it’s a trend you love, go for it, but if you’re only interested in it because it’s the current trend I think choosing a warm tone material would be a more lasting choice (and probably better for resale value too!). 

Trend #4- Wicker and Rattan

The mob is coming now! They’ve got their pitchforks!  I promise I’m not against wicker and rattan. It’s a material that is beautiful and lasting. I think what is trendy is the open design with an Urban Outfitters kind of look. It can feel a little disposable and not to the proper scale. However, if you have a coastal-style home and love that look, I’d suggest Serena & Lily. They really nail that style in a beautiful way!

Trend #5- Super Casual

Enough with the loungewear! We’re seeing it in fashion and I’m predicting it will soon move into our interiors. I don’t think it will be super formal but an approachable sophistication. Maybe finishes that are less raw wood and moving away from the beloved Cloud sofa. I just think we’ll want a more tailored look! 

Trend #6- Boho

Boho is being replaced by Jack’s personal favorite– nomadic!
It’s not a big leap, but nomadic has a more worldly feel to it. Bohemian doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily traveling whereas nomadic does! Think wallpapers and fabrics that feel inspired by the places that you’ve been or places you want to go and being open to new styles of furniture and other accents. Nomadic is truly about where you’ve been and bringing the essence of that place back home!

Trend #7- Overly Open Spaces

Some houses seem more like studios where you’re practically sleeping in the kitchen! I’ve been saying for a couple of years that the super open-concept home is on its way out! I really think we’re moving away from that and the pandemic accelerated that shift. People want walls! Those with a basement want to chop it up and have space for an office and a gym. However, we don’t think we’ll be walling up our entire home, but just creating more separate spaces with specific purposes.

Trend #8- Hyper Minimalism

I think this came from Scandinavian design hitting the U.S. market and getting really big about seven years ago. Everything went to white walls, plain design, minimal, minimal, minimal, and all the details were gone! Jack thinks a lot of this came from the demo days on HGTV where everybody gets sledgehammer happy and is shouting, “Take it all down!”. I think it’s just all about finding balance– make the change your home needs, but leave some of the detail that makes it interesting.

Trend #9- Everything White

I know you guys are like, “This woman literally has white walls and sold us on painting our walls white!”.  I’m not saying that white is going completely out (although I have seen that there’s a lot of color on its way). I’m talking about white on white on white on white on white and then blond wood! It’s too much! There’s no contrast! It photographs well on social media, but when you’re actually in the space it can feel cold. I recommend warming things up by bringing in some rich wood tones and deeper colors.

Trend #10- Too Much Color

As Jack lovingly points out, it seems like I’m contradicting what I just said!  Here’s the thing if you use anything too much it stops having the impact. I think you just have to play with it! Maybe in some areas, you do tone on tone and in other places, you might give your eye a place to rest (think a blue sofa with white cushions or a white sofa with blue cushions). 
At the end of the day, we’re not trying to tell you exactly what to do or what not to do. We just want to help you make wise decisions that will last you 10, 15, or maybe even 20 years! Just be careful with trends and think about what will really work for you and your home. 

Do you agree with us on the 10 trends to avoid? Let us know!

Watch the video here!