Last Updated on December 2, 2024
Social media has been throwing shade towards interior design trends. The comment section is filled with “I don’t follow trends. I’m not a sheep“ and “Don’t tell me how to decorate; I’ll do what I want!” Woah! I don’t think of myself as a follower; my style is unique, but I still like to follow trends. On the flip side, I might press pause before hopping on a fad or viral trend. What social media isn’t telling you is that there is a huge difference between a trend and a fad, but as of late, the verbiage has been used interchangeably. So, let’s break it down and define a trend, a fad, and a viral trend.
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a designer say, “I don’t believe in trends.” Pardon my French, but I call bullshit. If that were true, tell me why High Point Market attracts almost 80,000 people to its two major shows every year to check out the latest trends in home decor — from fabric and shapes to texture and colors, to patterns and motifs — interior designers want to be in the know. Why? Because potential clients want to give their homes that fresh new look.
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Examples Of Trends
Think of a trend as a timeless classic that’s never forgotten. When designing a room, I consider what’s trending and weigh my budget and joy it brings before investing. Trends, while they may lose their wow factor, never truly go out of style, even at their peak popularity.
Trends like Beni Ourain rugs, chevron patterns, boucle fabric, gray walls, shiplap, accent walls, chrome finishes, and mid-century modern furniture rise, fade, and often come back. Understanding a trend’s lifecycle is key. In 2014, chevron was everywhere—from shower curtains to pillows. When trends hit HGTV shows and Instagram DIYers, they’ve gone mainstream and will soon fade. It’s fine to incorporate them but avoid overuse or heavy investment.
Shiplap, popularized by Joanna Gaines, quickly became overdone. I’d shiplap a historic home to fit its era, but not a new condo in downtown Chicago.
What The Heck Is A Viral Trend?
A viral trend catches fire, often fueled by pop culture and social media to hype it up. When the Barbie movie was released, TikTok exploded with Barbiecore, making the pink aesthetic an overnight sensation. Having a background in advertising, this felt like a clever marketing tactic by Warner Bros.
A viral trend is a mix of a trend and a fad. Barbiecore may have been a fad, but fuschia pink was a trend that Valentino kicked off with their 2022 Fall runway collection. Pierpaolo Piccioli collaborated with the Pantone Color Institute, and the entire color palette was reduced to a single shade of shocking pink. For a fashion house to forecast a color trend with precision like this, well, that takes years of research.
Examples Of Fads
Fads burst onto the scene, gain popularity quickly, and fade just as fast—think inflatable furniture, wall decals, neon signs, and strawberry kitchen decor. Some are so fleeting they’re barely remembered like the “put a bird on it” craze. Do you remember that?
Disco balls are timeless and ebb and flow on the trend lifecycle, but the drippy, melted disco ball decor is a fad—I loved it enough to buy one myself. Fads can be fun, but invest cautiously. They offer immediate gratification but rarely stand the test of time.
You can shop for this melted disco ball here, and the more expensive Kelly Wearstler style version is here.
Trends Are Friends, Not Foes
Your home will inevitably feel dated, but mixing trends from different periods can help keep it timeless. Slow decorating—taking your time with decor decisions—also ensures thoughtful, enduring choices.
A couple of years ago, interior designers declared all-white kitchens out of style. Good grief, Charlie Brown. That statement doesn’t even make sense. A white kitchen will never go out of style if you understand how to incorporate trends. Replace fads like “Live Laugh Love” signs with modern artwork, new light fixtures, hardware swaps, or a fresh coat of paint. Gradually updating a room over time will continue to keep it feeling fresh and timeless.
Stay True To Yourself
If you were a trend hater before reading this post, I hope you realize that the word “trend” should not have a negative connotation, and following a trend doesn’t mean your home will look like your neighbor’s. Express yourself and your individuality. Find unique items that bring you joy and let your freak flag fly high. Most importantly, don’t shut down a trend just because it’s popular—especially if you like it. Trends (and fads) can be fun! Just use them in moderation and mix them up!
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