Every few years, something becomes the “must-have” look in home design. A particular cabinet color. A flooring style. A backsplash pattern. A metal finish.
Suddenly, it’s everywhere.
There’s nothing wrong with trends. They introduce us to new ideas and keep design interesting. But when you’re investing significant money in your home, there’s an important question worth asking:
“Will I still love this when the trend changes?”
Sometimes homeowners hear “timeless” and think: Beige. Safe. Predictable.
That’s not what I mean.
Timeless is really about considering the longevity of your big, expensive, difficult-to-change selections. Think about flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and major tile installations. Most homeowners don’t want to replace those every few years. So before making a bold, trendy choice on a permanent surface, consider how you may feel about it five or ten years from now.
Want personality? Absolutely.
Lighting, hardware, mirrors, faucets, paint, furnishings, and accessories can be great places to introduce something current or unexpected.
A simple rule:
The more expensive and difficult something is to change, the more carefully you should consider its staying power.
The easier something is to change, the more freedom you have to experiment.
How long do you plan to remain in the home matters too. If this is your long-term home and you’ve always dreamed of deep green kitchen cabinets, perhaps that’s exactly what you should have.
It’s your home. But if you expect to sell in a few years, you may want major selections to have broader appeal. Neither approach is automatically right. The important thing is understanding why you’re making the choice.
When considering something particularly trendy, ask: “If I saw this for the first time five years from now, would I still choose it?”
Nobody can predict exactly how tastes will change. But the question helps distinguish between:
“I really love this.” and: “I’m seeing this everywhere right now.”
There’s a difference.
I don’t believe homeowners should be afraid of trends. Your home should have personality. I simply believe trends should be used intentionally. Build the foundation around choices you can live with for years, then give yourself permission to have some fun. Because the best renovation shouldn’t look like a showroom frozen in a particular year. It should look like you—and continue to feel like you long after the trend has moved on.
We have our design direction, a cohesive palette, and selections we can live with. Now comes another important decision: Where should we spend more—and where can we save?
Next week: Where to Splurge and Where to Save in Your Renovation.
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