When it comes time to redesign your own home, you’ll likely inevitably be asking an age-old question: Should you opt for a modern and chic design or opt for a more timeless look?
While these two options are not necessarily mutually exclusive, it can require some know-how to combine them cohesively. Trendy may be too bold, and traditional can be too boring. However, finding a balance of both trendy and traditional means you’ll love the space now, and continue to enjoy it years down the road.
We’ve outlined a couple of things to consider for each option, together with the best way to incorporate both styles for those who can’t decide. Take a look at these tips before starting your next design project. We’re sure they will help you create a space that you’ll love for years to come.
Your Home is it Modern or Timeless?
Know that trendy pieces come with an expiration date.
Probably the most exciting things about interior design is the fact that it’s always evolving and innovating. If you’re an avid reader of Freshome, you already know that there is constantly a hot new home design trend making its way through Pinterest boards and design blogs. As exciting as that may be, additionally, it implies that if you decide to incorporate fashionable items into your home’s design, it’s a good bet that at some point they will likely grow antiquated.
Turn on the television and any home improvement show will advise you that the the majority of the styles that had been incredibly popular just a couple of decades ago now are considered to be tacky and dated. If you want to focus on following trends, you need to prepared for the possible necessity of redesigning your rooms once tastes change, especially when you’re thinking about putting your home on the market.
As always, there are actually exceptions to every rule. In this case, it’s simply how much you love a certain design element. If you find a particular item speaks to your individual sense of style and you simply can’t stop thinking about – go for it. Taking pride in your home won’t go out of fashion.
Let current style live in accent pieces
One of the biggest misconceptions about designing a space is the assumption that it has to be either timeless or trendy, with no middle ground. In reality, your rooms can contain both elements in a way that is both modern and budget-friendly.
The key lies in the way you incorporate trends within your space. Limit en vogue items to the cheaper and more replaceable aspects of the space – think throw pillows or lighting. That way, if styles change a couple of years down the road, you’ll be able to easily swap those elements out for more current styles without having a huge cost. Not exactly the case if you splurge on a green velvet sofa that you can’t bear the sight of in a few years.
It’s equally important to understand that in terms of trends, less is more. An entire room that it packed with today’s stylish items is going to be tiring to the eye. Choose one or two trendy items that you may use as statement pieces. Then, balance the rest of the room out with neutral pieces.
Want to go all-in on a trend? Stick to a room that’s easy to switch up. Powder rooms are a fantastic option for because they’re small and impressionable. Kid’s rooms can be fun to go wild in too – you’ll likely end up changing the rooms as they grow regardless.
Use quality materials for items you want to last.
Seems like a no-brainer, right? No matter what style you opt for, your space should be able to stand the test of time. Since design projects can often be pricey, you need to make sure your handiwork remains usable for the foreseeable future. One of the easiest ways to do that would be to invest in quality elements of design.
Where quality is concerned, high price items are the most important. These are items like your flooring and furniture. Focus on natural materials like wood and stone or marble for those pieces. Trust us – it’s unlikely that they’re going to ever go out of style.
Timeless rooms take design cues from the past.
When designing an area, it’s imperative that you realize that not many styles are really revolutionary. Quite often, what we see as current style actually takes cues from design movements of years – and occasionally even centuries – past. Truly timeless spaces incorporate inspiration from looks that have stood the test of time yet still remain popular.
In this, simplicity is vital. Draw inspiration from classic styles that concentrate on clean lines and understated hues. If you’re drawn towards patterns, opt for something that is regarded as polished, like houndstooth or simple stripes. We also love a good small polka dot.
Color is also an important consideration. If you would like an aspect of your design to stay timeless, choose a neutral color for it. This way, if you have to change up the surrounding elements in the future, you’ll have a greater possibility of your design continuing to mesh with the space all together.
But borrowing from tradition doesn’t mean that you’ve got to be stuck in the past entirely. Brainstorm ways to take a standard idea and provide it a modern twist. If you get stuck, don’t hesitate to bring a designer on board or to browse your favorite home design sites for inspiration on how to keep the classics looking current.
Making the choice between a trendy space and a timeless style isn’t easy. Luckily, interior design doesn’t need to be that black and white – it’s all reliant on balance. Take advantage of this article for easy methods to create an interior that may be both modern and long lasting. Your sense of style (and wallet!) will thank you for it.
Do you incorporate trends into your home or stay with more classic looks? How do you achieve your chosen style? Let us know, by simply clicking here, or get in touch with us on social media.
