Some trends have such a strong hold on us that we opt to ignore the reality that they’re not the most comfortable to follow. Although they are picture-perfect and give our homes a modern, sleek appeal, they have drawbacks. Delicate surfaces, light-colored textiles, and inefficient layouts… Too good to be true, there comes a point when we have to let go of trends that don’t truly work for us in the long run, no matter how much we may love the way we look.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m the first to fall in love with the newest, flashiest furniture and accessories that will instantly makeover my house. But over time, I’ve come to realize that balance is important and that fads should be embraced sparingly—as a finishing touch, if you will, that can be easily updated, rather than as a whole aesthetic you’ll be stuck with. Interior designers urge us to avoid these ridiculous interior design fads and suggest some alternatives.
BOUCLE FURNITURE
We should think about taking the boucle fixation a step back, even though it will certainly hurt. I swear, there isn’t a bigger boucle enthusiast than me. It gives me the impression that I’m living on a cloud, which I adore, but it also slightly saps my delight since I worry every time I sit in my jeans on my boucle accent chair or when someone walks by holding a cup of coffee. In addition, every single person (I mean really) needs to have at least one piece of boucle décor in their home. Thus, the tale of design that demonstrates how to be both completely unique and on trend continues.
Designer informs me that this cloth has had its day and will soon feel outdated because it has been overdone. But as with everything worthwhile in life, including design, moderation is the key. It’s not all bad news, though. She advises against giving up on boucle completely because too much of a good thing may be disastrous, but to enjoy fashionable materials in smaller amounts, such as a pouf or throw cushion, instead. Personally, I’ll stick with it as a feature and give up on the whole house takeover. A shaggier, wool version of the boucle is taking its place, and I think you’ll enjoy it just as much if you decide to let it go.
shiny black floors
A glossy black floor looks incredibly classy and makes a statement, so it seems sense that many of us would seize the chance to follow the trend. Shiny black flooring, however, are unpractical since they expose everything. There are workarounds for it. If you truly want black, go with a stain rather than paint and choose matte rather than glossy finish. She clarifies, “You don’t want your house to look like everyone else’s.”
Although black is a classic hue, keep in mind that it is not the easiest to maintain when choosing a flooring type. Even if you think a black floor looks great. If that doesn’t deter you and you’d rather persevere, be sure to consider the durability of your finish selections.
overuse of pot lights
It seems like designers are in complete agreement about this trend. The pot lamp, a popular lighting fixture in the recently constructed house, provides benefits, but we can pace ourselves when using it. Pot lights have a role and are particularly helpful for task lighting, particularly in the kitchen. However, you shouldn’t rely only on them, especially if you don’t put them on dimmers. According to experts, “overly dim lighting is just as impractical as overly bright lighting, which reminds of an airport landing strip.”
In terms of lighting, balance is everything. Maintain task-focused spaces like kitchens and utility rooms with pot lights, but mix them in with cozy, low-lighting. “To create the ideal atmosphere, make sure you have ambient and accent lighting, such as lamps and sconces,” she suggests.
open floor plans
Open floor designs have been popular for a while. Although its benefits—a feeling of spaciousness and easy light flow—are instantly obvious, their lack of physical boundaries can get to be a bit much after a time. According to interior designer, “I think one large open floor plan has its drawbacks,” even though having two spaces adjacent (such as the kitchen and family room) might still be ideal. “You lose that cozy feeling you get with individual rooms, and noise carries.” You don’t have to hear the TV or smell the food cooking when you use walls to treat each location a little differently and create a moment or a room with a certain function, she continues.
Everything makes sense. Ultimately, you should be able to retreat from the outside world into your own cocoon when you feel alone in your home, and you should have a room set apart for personal activities that you can close the door on when you’re ready to move on. Overusing the open floor plan makes things harder to do, and when it comes to design, you can’t add a unique touch to separate regions because everything has to function together well. For your open area, maintain a balance between the kitchen and the family room or the kitchen and the dining room. With a separate living room, home office, or library, you can have best of both the worlds.
fast furniture
It turns our houses into showroom-worthy exhibits and enables us to quickly and affordably adopt the newest trends, but it should be used with prudence. Ami McKay, an interior designer, tells me that “many people grab what is easy and inexpensive, but if it will be replaced in a few years, it’s just a waste, which makes it impractical.” Think about spending a little bit extra on well-made items. You might keep an eye out for bargains or floor models if money is tight. You will be more satisfied with your purchases if you take a little extra time to search.
In the end, it all comes down to intentionally choosing thoughtful purchases and striking a healthy balance between high and low. Consider investing in larger pieces that have a timeless appeal and that you plan to retain for a longer period of time, rather than spending a lot of money on seasonal trend updates for your home that can easily be donated or switched out.
