Trends are Fine . . . Until Everyone Has That Same Sofa

Chic Living Space -- A stylish living area features a bold mustard yellow chair, minimalist art, a sleek floor lamp, and subtle decor, creating a striking yet balanced vibe.

One thing is for sure about trends - they come and go. But some trends can be helpful, spark new ideas, offer a fresh perspective on some of the tried and true or maybe not so true. They can give a tired space a fresh look and the update you’ve been craving. Others can be fun in the moment, but you can already tell they won’t age well. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s “in" because part of what makes a trend a trend is that it is EVERYWHERE coming at you from every angle. It's the thing to do, according to anyone promoting their post, their know-how, or their product.

The problem with leaning too hard into trends? Your home can end up looking like everyone else’s. A room built around what’s popular today might feel tired next year—and you’re back at square one. Beige boucle, fluted wood, checkerboard tile—it all starts to blur together. I swear, the last hundred posts I scrolled through had the same paneling with different lighting. It’s giving design déjà vu.

Terrazzo had a moment. It was colorful, quirky, a little retro. Used well, it can still be fun. But once it started popping up on every surface—backsplashes, soap dishes, garden pots—it lost its charm fast. Same with the all-black bathroom trend. Looked great on Instagram, but in real life, it was tough to light, high maintenance, and way too heavy for most spaces. A vibe online, sure. But not exactly livable.

Trends can feel like a safety net for people who think they just weren’t born with the design gene. But honestly, most of the time it’s not about talent or a gene—it’s just about having someone to help you connect the dots. One client recently told me, point blank, that she had no idea what she was doing—no eye for color, no sense of furniture placement, no clue where to begin. But once we started talking, her style started to show up. She had favorite colors. She knew how she wanted the space to feel. And without realizing it, she was describing rooms that already reflected her taste.

The style was already there. All I did as her designer was to help bring it out and shape it into something that feels right, functions beautifully for her whole family.

Instead of chasing what’s trending, just start with what actually feels right to you. Here’s how:

• Think about how you want your home to feel. Pick two or three words that ground you—calm, cozy, layered, bold—whatever fits.

• Know your colors. What are the shades you always love, no matter what’s in style? Start there, then bring in a trend color if it actually works with your palette.

• Save what speaks to you. Not what’s popular—what you’re drawn to. Even if it doesn’t all match yet, there’s usually a common thread.

• If something you love happens to be trending? Great. But don’t let that be the reason you choose it.

• Use trendier looks in smaller ways—throw pillows (no ears please), art, paint, even lighting. Keep your investment pieces rooted in what you know you’ll love long term.

• And finally, be honest: does this work for your life? A white boucle chair might be stunning in a styled photo—but maybe not in a house with two kids and a golden retriever.

Even if you’re still figuring it out, trust your instincts. They’re more personal—and more lasting—than any trend. The best spaces feel like home designed for who you are and how you live. Not a showroom. Not a TikTok scroll.