New year, new ideas! We have been combing the internet to compile the most talked-about home decor trends, both do’s and don’ts. If you are getting ready to sell your home, making some of these changes can help make the home more attractive to buyers. If the home has elements that buyers see again and again in media, it may be the edge you need to get the offer. Conversely, it can be helpful to look at the current lists of elements that are outré that can make the property look dated and turn buyers off. Ideally, the goal of this would be to find things that represent your personal style and don’t break the bank that will give you the most bang for your buck. For more expensive fixtures and flooring, classic, neutral, and practical choices make the most sense. If you want to follow trends, paint, curtains, and inexpensive decor items are much better choices. Also, its never smart to follow trends that you don’t personally care for – your home should reflect you. On to the ideas!
Decor Trends are staying around longer
Trying to follow ever-changing home trends is not only impossible for most people because of financial and time constraints, but also is not environmentally friendly. As real estate professionals, we are constantly bombarded with “trend” posts, and it can feel exhausting! Here’s the good news: many of the trends that we are presenting are pretty classic styles that won’t require a revamp in a few short years. In addition, the dizzying pace of trend rollouts has slowed, and many trends are staying around longer than they used to, making it easier to take that leap. This is also great news environmentally – reduce and reuse!
Comfort matters
Have you ever seen rooms presented in style magazines and thought, “Who could ever live in that house?” White furniture, impossible to clean decor items, and leather couches come to mind. Ok, leather couches might be my own personal vendetta… Cold in the winter, hot and sticky in the summer… Why, leather couch, why? Back to the point, there is such an array of choice in today’s market that you don’t have to compromise between comfort and style. Here’s an example (ignore the price tag). If you like the aesthetic of leather but want some plush comfort, what about something like this?
Greenery
One tip that came up over and over us to add greenery to your home. Bringing the outside in can perk up a house in the winter, make a house look more alive and vibrant, and even improve your air quality.
Mixed Metals
Though this used to be a design taboo, it is becoming increasingly common. Try not to go overboard though – start small with only a few metals and finishes, as a little goes a long way. Most blogs on the topic also suggest mixing warm and cool toned metals to carry this look, with one being the choice seen most frequently in the home.
Natural Floors + Light Wood Floors
After years of seeing dark wood floors (which I still love, BTW) the natural or lighter wood floors are surging back in popularity. Light or natural finishes for wood floors are a wonderful way to bounce light through a space. You can ground this look and add visual contrast by adding darker accent rugs. This is an example of a trend that makes it easier to do what you like – pick flooring that matches your personal preference, and rest assured that there’s a future buyer out there who will love it too.
Sustainability
Another kind of green that is in style! Using sustainable materials like bamboo and avoiding old growth hardwoods when making big design choices is a great way to do this. Making green choices when renovating is something that buyers are increasingly aware of. There are many companies that specialize in sustainable furniture and design, though these sometimes come at a cost premium. One cost-effective way of decorating sustainably is to recycle or upcycle previously used items. Estate sales and thrift stores often have extremely affordable statement pieces and raw materials, and as an added bonus, sometimes the craftsmanship on these older pieces is much higher.
Out: Clutter
Was clutter ever “in?” Of course not, but as our lives get more frenetic and filled with items, the drive to declutter and simplify seems to have increased. Books and media geared towards this have exploded: just witness the popularity of Marie Kondo and her KonMari method (see our blog post about this here). It seems obvious, but getting a handle on clutter can make your home a more relaxing place to be. If you are trying to sell your home, it allows buyers to be more imaginative while looking at the space. Simplifying and purging can be great, but finding an organization system that is simple and contains clutter can be just as effective.
Out: Accent Walls
This seems like a staple in home design for the past few decades – if you wanted to commit to a fun or vibrant color on the walls, contain it to one wacky accent wall. After 20 years of easing in to color in this way, we are ready to go all the way! If you want to decorate your home with a darker or more non-traditional color choice, go for it! If you have a white ceiling and lighter trim, it won’t look as dramatic as you fear! You can also complement the color choice by going with a more neutral color palette in the flooring and large furniture or break up the look of a dark wall with art pieces or mirrors. Depending on the color you choose, you may want to repaint before listing your house, but that’s easy enough to do… Decorate your house for you!
Out: Rose Gold
The result of any overwhelmingly popular trend is that it begins to look dated quickly. If you love rose gold, go for it! Just know that for a while at least, it will look like you decorated your home in 2018, whether you did or not!
Matte Black
This trend is an easy one to incorporate in any home and has a classic feel. It fits in to many design styles from farmhouse to penthouse. Even better, you can easily do this on your own with a matte black or chalkboard paint. Have an end table or piece of decor you don’t love? Try refinishing it in matte black to see if it brings a modern take to the room before destashing. Matte black also looks fantastic with metals. If black is too stark for your taste, try a gorgeous charcoal gray instead.
Out: Edison Bulbs
If you have ever spent more than 5 minutes on Pinterest or at your hipster friend’s house, you have definitely seen these. Though we still appreciate this style, use it judiciously. If your home has a modern industrial vibe or you just love that Edison bulb statement piece, great. Just don’t go overboard with this one, since its been done. And done. And done.
Out: Barn Doors
In the last few years, you couldn’t throw a dart at the MLS without hitting barn doors in listing after listing. While we love the rustic farmhouse look (obviously), barn doors aren’t always a practical choice in a residential property. They aren’t known for their soundproofing or security properties, for example. They can still be great if they fit the style of the home and if they lead to something like a Rec room, but do you REALLY want one as the bedroom door in your condo?
To sum up, don’t use these ubiquitous trend posts to uproot your decorating style – find ways that your own style can be represented. The ultimate goal is a home that you are happy and comfortable living in, is enjoyable and relaxing to visitors, and can be sale-ready whenever you are!