Design Trends: What's in & What's Out

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I find that regardless of design trends or style...if you look back through the years of design trends, you will find that each "new trend" has borrowed some form of design from its predecessor altering it through color, shape or textile to set it apart as a "new trend". As with any form of design...whether fashion, textiles or furnishings...there is a recycling process. 

​This is what I see locally and on a national level as "OUT" in 2016 and in many cases has been out for some time.

GOING OUT and staying out...at least until the next recycle...

1. Wasted space in "dead spaces" of the home (nooks, closets and under the stairs)... there is much more consumer interest in utilizing these spaces for storage and additional spaces for decorative display areas for books, pictures and memorabilia...

2. Chevron fabrics, rugs and other textiles... Chevron became so popular so quickly and was incorporated into almost every area of the design plan...it was seen in everything from the baby's nursery to the towels in the master bath and every room in between...it's fading fast and rightly so...it is time for most chevron designs to be put to rest for awhile. No doubt we will see it again as it is based off the classic herringbone design that will always have a place in textiles.

3. Entire sets of matching furniture... although there will always be those that desire to purchase in this way (it is their comfort zone) ...any good designer will steer their client away from their thoughts on this by showing them an alternative way to incorporate other pieces of distinction and interest to personalize the space. 

4. Soft window treatments with heavy fabrics, embellishments and tassels... I find the trend is more free flowing lighter fabrics that hang loosely and are not as perfectly presses or stationary...it provides a more relaxed feel in our living spaces and a respite for our "perfectly packaged lives outside of our homes".

5. Framed art with glass...oil on canvas with a slim line floating frame is my preferred choice of art for most of my clients...it is a simplistic way to add a focal point without distraction as well as part of the desire to be more minimalistic. 

6. Sofa and loveseat combo... so oversold and over used...when size can accommodate, conversation seating or a custom sectional is always more inviting for family time and entertaining...

7. Faux finished walls and columns... this has been out for quite some time and hopefully stays out with exception to some European/old-world designs where it is perfectly appropriate and beautiful. Enough of attempting to make a 2 story colonial in the Lehigh Valley look like a Mediterranean villa. 

8. Wall covering on every wall in the room...and yes the ceiling too! Wall covering has been on the exterior perimeter of choices in design options for walla for years, but recently has made a comeback in a new and exciting way. It certainly has its place when used to accent and enhance the room rather than overwhelm it!

9. French Country complete with the rooster collection... I had fallen victim of this over used design theme many years ago...it no doubt will return in years to come with an altered spin and hopefully less foul.

10. Mirrored furniture...except for one distinct accent piece, I am happy to see this on the outskirts of design. Entire rooms of mirrored furniture is overwhelming and difficult to clean...not to mention the high damage factor from moving, vacuuming, etc. It just is unsuitable for most homes!

11. Wall word decals, stand alone decorative word art and over use of wrought iron art... so over used that anyone who had stock in a company that sold this type of art has to be a millionaire. 

12. Whirlpool baths in the master... trending in large master bathrooms are smaller scale floating tubs without jets that are more of an art form than a fixture. In all honesty, do we ever want to fill, clean or have time to sit in those jetted tubs that were so coveted in years past. 

13. Too much of one style and finish in a room or entire home... this gives the look of a furniture store vignette...favored is mixing in period pieces or family favorites with an upscaled new finish or textile spotlighting personality and preventing the dreaded cookie cutter look. 

14. Metal, plaster and wood animal heads (aka fake taxidermy)... although I still am a fan of some of these decorative heads, they have been over used in the last several years and many times have been placed in inappropriate spaces. 

15. Glossy sheen on everyday furniture... today's client is more in favor of a user friendly finish that takes less time to clean, is kid friendly and less formal. 

16. Accent walls and individual rooms each with it's own distinct color and personality...there is a gravitation toward a more minimalistic palette that is non conflicting providing an "easy on the eyes" backdrop for focal point art and accessories!

Trends will come and go as sure as the sun rises and sets each day. Some trends will have staying power and others will leave the design scene as quickly as they come. It is up to the designer to access new trends and how they will work within the architectural details of the clients home and how they will incorporate the clients personality and lifestyle. There are few "real" rules in the design world that cannot be broken under the right circumstances and in the right way for the client's benefit!