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Do you have any suggestions on how to identify when something (a design look, decor piece, etc) is trendy vs classic?
– Emily
I could go on for pages and pages about the word “trend.” In fact I did several weeks ago in this post and I highly encourage you to go read that first and then come back here.
Recently I discovered that I (and maybe you too?) have been using the word “trend” wrong which has resulted in the term having a negative connotation. It’s as though “trendy” design elements are less than those that are timeless.
WHAT ARE TRENDS ACTUALLY THOUGH?
Trends are not styles, colors, features, or design elements that we predict will go out of style or become outdated…that’s a fad. Trends are simply styles that are popular right now. Some trends are indeed fads and some trends are timeless. This is why I’m altering my language…rather than talking about trendy vs timeless design elements, I’m calling it fads vs timeless design elements.
I’ve already shared my graphic below in a previous post, but perhaps a quick definition refresh might do us some good for this post –
So how do you decipher if something is a fad or timeless? Well, like the graphic above says, “A design element can be coined as timeless if we have seen it repeatedly and/or consistently throughout history.” If a style, color, or feature keeps popping up in every decade, it’s most likely a timeless element.
That’s not to say that it doesn’t phase in and out of popularity. A timeless feature can become trendy when vast amounts of people start incorporating it in their homes. And it may phase out of popularity when people become tired of seeing the same thing over and over again. But if it’s been done repeatedly in the past, we can assume we’ll see it again.
MOST PEOPLE SAY “TREND” WHEN THEY MEAN “FAD”
A fad on the other hand is a short lived style. It may pop up here and there as a trend over several decades, but it isn’t seen much in the past. Fads usually phase out of popularity just as quickly as they rose in popularity.
So which design elements are fads and which are timeless? Well first of all, I think everyone’s answer will be slightly subjective to their own personal opinion.…but here are some of my thoughts on the design elements you submitted for this post –
I also think it’s most important to say that if you like something for your home, it doesn’t matter if I (or anyone else) says it’s trendy, timeless, a fad, or outdated! If you love it, then do it unapologetically! You should always design your home based off of what YOU like…not anyone else!
Image via Nadine Stay
Vertical Planks
While I think many would argue it’s a fad simply because it’s become wildly popular right now, I’d argue it’s a timeless feature. Why? Because I’ve seen it in 100 year old cottages, as wainscoting in 90’s sitcoms, as backsplashes in today’s kitchens, and we’ll continue to see it in years to come. It’s one of those styles that’s quietly been with us all along and we’re just now noticing it.
– VERDICT: A timeless style that is currently trending
Image via @burtsbrisplease
Contrast Trim
This is one of those styles that I could’ve sworn was a fad until I started paying attention to older designs. It’s been done for hundreds of years in one form or another. And I’d like to add that in my opinion, wood trim is another form of contrast trim. It’s the OG of contrast trim in my book. While I think painting trim a darker color than the walls or having wood trim may phase in and out out of popularity, I’d argue if done right, it will never be outdated.
– VERDICT: A timeless style that is currently trending
Image via Rugs USA
Diamond/Lattice Rugs
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that diamond or lattice patterned shag rugs are indeed a fad that are on the tale end of phasing out. I continue to see alterations of the once wildly popular style so I could definitely be wrong! But I predict diamond shag rugs are the next chevron pattern. They spiked in popularity and I think in about 5-10 years we won’t see much of that pattern anymore.
– VERDICT: Fad and phasing out
Image via Sustainable Kitchens
Subway Tile
There are so many different tile formations and it’s seen so consistently in both residential and commercial spaces that it will always remain a timeless element. We just finished a moment where subway tile trended, and as a result we’re seeing an excitement for different tile styles. But we will continue to see subtle nods to subway tile here and there, and someday we will see subway tile trend again.
– VERDICT: A timeless style that is not currently trending
Image via Magnolia
Wood Floating Shelves
To clarify, I think there’s a difference between open shelving and floating shelves. I define open shelving as either open cabinetry, a ledge, shelves that go between two cabinets/walls, or shelves that are resting on some sort of visible bracket. I would deem open shelving as timeless because this is seen over and over again in design for many years. Floating shelves on the other hand are simply shelves without visible brackets….shelves that appear to be floating in mid air.
White oak floating shelves, although pretty, I deem as a long-winded fad. We’ll continue to see variations of shelving between cabinetry or as a ledge (like in the photo below), but I believe standalone light wood floating shelves in the kitchen won’t be with us forever. I could be wrong though and my opinion shouldn’t sway you from incorporating them in in your home if you love them!
– VERDICT: A long fad
Image via Carley Page Summers
Marble
Marble will never be a fad. It’s certainly trending right now and for good reason. Because it’s a natural product, there are so many different looks to marble that it always feels fresh. And for that reason it’s a classic.
– VERDICT: Timeless and an ongoing trend
Image via Magnolia
Barn Doors
This one is tricky because it’s only a fad in certain circumstances. A barn door will always be an appropriate option for a farmhouse or barn. But in most other settings, it’s a fad. And not because it looks bad, but because all design features – when taken out of their natural element – risk being a fad. Rustic galvanized steel in a Queen Anne home or barn doors in a Tudor home ultimately don’t belong with the architecture of the home. Always consider the architecture of your home and decide if barn doors fit within it.
– VERDICT: Depends on your home
Image via Heidi Caillier Design
Neutral Color Palette
To say that white is a fad is to say that neutrals are a fad. White walls and neutral colors will always be the foundation of design. Color will have its moment and patterns will steal our hearts, but you simply cannot design a home without incorporating any white, black, or neutral colors in one form or another.
They are the foundation of design on which you build upon, they are the bridge that blend two opposing colors, they are the balance that a vibrant and bold design needs, and they will always be incorporated in design in one way or another.
– VERDICT: Timeless
Image via Studio McGee
White Kitchens
Again, it’s hard to coin the color white as a fad when it’s the foundation of design. Yes, white kitchens had a major moment several years ago and while a lot of us are craving richer colors and more contrast in the kitchen, we continue to see white kitchens in design. There’s still plenty of room for creative freedom in a white kitchen through tile, cabinet front style, countertops, and hardware, so not all white kitchens look the same.
– VERDICT: A timeless style that is not currently trending
Image via Daniella Witte
Wallpaper
If I were to answer based strictly off of my definition of timeless, then wallpaper would be considered timeless because we see it repeatedly and consistently throughout history. BUT, we all know that wallpaper is the first thing to become outdated which would align more with the definition of fad. So I’d say that wallpaper itself is timeless because it has been and will continue to be a major part of design. But the patterns themselves are what make them outdated or a fad. So…choose your patterns wisely! 🙂
– VERDICT: Wallpaper = timeless. Some Patterns = Fad
Image via Magnolia
Patterned Tile
I also struggle to answer this one because ultimately I’d be saying whether or not all patterns on tiles are fads or timeless. That just cannot be done because all patterns are not equal. Yes, there are certain patterns on tiles that are absolutely fads. Some patterns on tiles are timeless. And what about when you pair 2 different solid colored tiles to create your own pattern? Ultimately I say the simpler the tile pattern, the more likely it is to be timeless. The more elaborate the pattern, the more likely it will age or become outdated.
– VERDICT: Some are timeless, some are fads
Did I miss anything? Let’s (kindly) keep the conversation going in the comments below and remember that if you love something for your home that I (or anyone else) deemed trendy, a fad, or outdated, do it anyway because your home should be YOUR style…no one else’s!
