How many times have you walked into a home and instantly can date the interiors from its design trend? The 1990’s of sponge painting and stenciling. The 2000’s of Tuscan kitchens with brown granite everywhere. And as recently as the 2020’s with barn doors, shiplap in every room and gray flooring. What category of design do these all fall under? Trends. What’s costly about all these? Everything.
Trends fall into two categories: décor and construction/architectural and the key to not falling into expensive trendy design traps is balancing them with classic and timeless building material choices. Yet at the same time, allowing your design style to evolve over the years with color and décor choices that are easy on the pocketbook. So, if you’re planning on remodeling a room or a whole house, look at our recommended choices of trends and classic styles that will keep your home’s interiors updated and not outdated.
Big Ticket items, go Classic
The number one timeless and classic flooring material is a hardwood selection. Its durability lasts for decades, even centuries and its historical features of natural wood tones project a homey comfort and will always hold a strong resale value. Stone is another “can’t go wrong” material if used to balance other materials and design elements. Fireplace hearths, bathroom floors and tabletop accents perfectly showcase stone and create high-end elegance.
Architectural moldings relating to the era of the home are guaranteed style staying power. Wainscotting in dining rooms (Watch Weekend Warriors Redo with Q, Episode 5, How to Install wainscoting) is an excellent example of taking a blank canvas wall of nothing, transforming into a timeless feature of the home.
Kitchen countertops and backsplashes of neutral tones installed with a solid surface of quartz or granite are top selections and paired with shaker style cabinetry will stand the test of time. Cabinetry with heavy glazing and over detailed materials will be a hot trend that quickly goes cold.
Subway backsplash for both kitchens and bathrooms is a classic winner. To add flair to what could be an obviously material choice is to change the standard 3″x6″ size to a different variation along with substituting the popular brick patten pattern to stacked or vertical. And the color selections are endless which gives you the opportunity to add your own style.
Design Trends
Classic design choices are safe but can lack originality. That’s where trends shine through. They give you the opportunity to refresh, reinvent and spotlight your unique style. Check out these ideas, materials and décor options that will make you an interior design trend setter.
Paint has been and always will be the most cost-effective choice to stay on trend. Whether it’s walls, floors, ceilings, or furniture, you can easily change an entire room with color. Even old cabinetry can get a freshly painted facelift of fun color, but make sure to use specially formulated cabinetry paint.
Accessories such as pillows, rugs, linens, bedding, drapery, and artwork all can be trendy in nature and easily replaced due to wear and tear or just to freshen up a space or room. Replacing old hardware in the kitchen, bathroom or storage built-ins, even door hardware with a current trendy choice of textures, sizes or finishes is inexpensive and an easy DIY project do it.
Classic and Trendy at the Same Time
Wallpaper can flip flop in both directions. It’s a very personal choice and patterns can be either classic like grass cloth or what’s the latest and greatest of big and bold prints. Also, the price range of wallpaper is vast from affordable to custom original artwork and if you’re not familiar with how to install wallpaper, consider hiring a professional.
Lighting can also be budget friendly or you can bust out the checkbook and buy high end fixtures. Select a combination of both. Chandeliers, sconces, recessed lighting, floor, and table lamps can blend classically and be on trend.
White kitchens and white walls are always a safe bet and can be timeless but do drop in and out of color trends. Not to worry though, because once outdated, they surely will circle back and become hot, hot, hot again.
Stay away from cookie-cutter décor and decorate with heirlooms such as artwork, antique furniture, mirrors, dishware and found treasures you adore. Whether classic or not, or not on trend, they will create a home of interest, conversation and add a special touch of warmth and comfort.
Showcasing a beautiful balance of cost-effective classic design with salvaged and modern trendy style and décor is a 19-part series; PARR Weekend Warriors Redo with Q on PARR Lumber’s YouTube channel. This show documents the remodeling process from start to finish of a 1911 bungalow fondly called Hoffs Homestead in Oregon wine country that was in dire need of whole house remodel. Endless DIY projects, deconstruction of saving century old materials and incorporating classic style that will stay on trend for another hundred years.
Shannon Quimby is an internationally acknowledged salvage designer, television personality, DIY expert and photo stylist for Better Homes & Gardens. She’s an HGTV alumni and for the past 20 years NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX broadcasts have featured her work. Currently, you can see Shannon’s DIY’s and design ideas on “Create with Quimby” on CW KOIN News AM Extra
Subscribe and follow her latest building and remodeling project, Hoffs Homestead; a community of homes new and old on:
