155 ways to buck the trend.
We’re midway through 2022 now…how did that happen?
No really, I’m asking you.
Anyway, what I’m acutely aware of is that in another 6 months or so, all the interior design bloggers, tik tok accounts, and home magazines are going to tell you what trends to leave behind in 2022 and what is hot for 2023.
How fantastic! Just give me a minute then to get up to date…
In 2020 open plan living was out of fashion - but I haven’t put all my walls back up yet so should I hang on in case it makes a comeback next year?
And white on white might be in? How am I going to keep that clean? We’re all just going to have to levitate around the furniture I think.
Do you get my point? It Is Ridiculous!
Trends are great because they can really help you inform your style and identify exactly what you like (and what you don’t) and they can give you a great jumping off point if you’re not sure where to start. But let’s be realistic, you can’t change up your décor every single year because of what the “Trend Gods” are saying - and if you’ve designed a room that you really love, you’re not going to want to change it anyway.
As with anything, trends come and go. The ‘all grey, crushed velvet, mirrored furniture’ style isn’t exactly on trend anymore but that doesn’t mean people have ripped up their carefully vacuumed carpets in favour of something new. It might mean that some people have relaxed their strict grey colour scheme but it’s equally valid if Mrs Hinch hasn’t changed a thing because she absolutely adores her home and that is the key to good design.
If the Trend setters tell me next year that my décor isn’t on trend, well I’m not really bothered and you shouldn’t be either.
Be your best untrendy self in a room you love that fits your lifestyle.
If you love open plan because it works for your family and you can chat to the kids whilst you cook
or if you want to ignore the minimalist trend and display your treasures from around the world - then do it.
I’m not going to take down my panelling next year or suddenly become a colour maximalist.
It’s just not me and I love my home how it is, Interiors experts be damned.
Over time, I might adapt my style. It's already evolved so much and yours probably will too - but not every year.
And you can try lots of things - I once painted a bedroom Sulking Room Pink because it was on trend, but once I’d done it - I hated it and that was ok too. Experiment! Have fun!
It’s just like fashion - after years, I’ve now embraced a wide leg trouser and chucked my skinny jeans in the bin - not because it’s trendy but because I feel more comfortable. If I was actually following trends, I’d probably have a wide variety of crop tops but we all know that would be a terrible idea and I don’t have time to be arrested for indecent exposure.
So the point I’m making is this - use trends to inform your style but don’t live and die by them.
Keep your feature wall if you love what it brings to the room because in a few years we might be installing them again - but if you want an update, maybe go for a bolder wallpaper or a more striking colour that you can spread out a little further into the space (hello painted ceiling!)
If you’d love a cream boucle chair, which this year is bang on trend, then great - congratulations on having children or pets or husbands that you can trust not mess it up.
And if you love a crop top - then you’re a braver person than I.
What trends would you love to see the back of next year and what styles are you firmly keeping hold of?
3 trends that I actually think are worth it:
Natural materials - incorporate wood textures or natural stone and warm earthy colours .Often these are more sustainable choices and there are great recyclable options too. It’s also a good way to soften a neutral interior and make it feel more homely.
Comfort over style - soft pushy furniture will make you love it forever. Rounded edges are also in but I think these may be a little too trendy to stand the test of time.
Plants - A biophilic home is a happy home, create yourself an indoor garden and reap the benefits of beautiful greenery.
