Shag carpeting. Beaded curtains. Carpeted walls. Indoor wicker furniture. Over the last 50 years, people have followed some truly horrifying design trends. And you’ll notice you (hopefully) haven’t seen a single one of them in a new build home or modern design catalog.

Striking a balance between trendy and timeless isn’t always easy. You might be swayed by the newest trends, confident they will remain relevant forever. But that’s what people thought about water beds, too.

Here’s how you can strike the right balance between classic and modern in your home.

Invest in High-Quality, Timeless Materials

There are some design mistakes you can afford to make. For instance, replacing outdated kitchen chairs or living room curtains is relatively easy. But others – not so much. You can’t remodel your kitchen or bathroom every few years when the cabinets and fixtures go out of style.

To avoid this, be sure you invest in high-quality materials for everything. This includes your flooring, cabinets, countertops, and major fixtures. 

Go for What is Always in Style

Nobody can predict the future of design trends. People can try, but it’s not a sure thing. Instead of trying to be on the cutting edge of fashion, include elements in your home that are truly timeless. To get you thinking about it, here’s a quick list of what has always been in fashion (though it is certainly not an exhaustive list!).

• Hardwood floors.
• White kitchens.
• Built-in shelving (with clean lines).
• Classic colors (dark green, navy) to complement neutrals.
• A clawfoot bathtub.
• True antiques.
• Area rugs.

It’s All in the Details!

Don’t get us wrong – trends can be a lot of fun! You don’t need to avoid them entirely. You just need to choose trends carefully. Don’t build an entire room around a trend – you will regret the decision down the road.

Instead, rely on your accessories to express them. Follow pattern and texture trends in the form of bright accent walls, pillows or throw blankets, area rugs, and artwork. You can easily swap these details out as trends fade in and out.

Design for What You Truly Want

We’re all guilty of paging through a home design magazine and pining after a beautifully arranged room. This is closely followed by envy and despair because the rooms are professionally done and challenging to achieve in real life. But why would you want to, anyway? Your home should reflect your style and needs. Your home should be comfortable and practical. It should be livable, no matter how timeless or trendy it is.

You might love the look of a midcentury modern, straight-backed leather couch, but is it what you really want to sink into after a long day at work? Always ask yourself these practical questions when considering how to design your interior.

If it still seems like a mystery on how best to strike this balance, keep one thing in mind: Major fixtures should be timeless, accessories and accents can bring trendiness. Focus on your personal style as well as overarching trends to make sure your home is actually in line with your needs. Don’t design entire rooms around a trend, or you’ll end up redoing an avocado bathroom or wasting time scraping off a popcorn ceiling. Good luck and enjoy!

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