In today’s post, I will be discussing all the design trends I love, but most people hate.
The goal of this post is to help you celebrate your individuality, understand the function of your space, and source the most inspired furnishings and home decor, no matter what anyone else thinks or says!
It is called Design Trends I love but most people hate it.
We could be talking about interior design features or a Home Decor product that you could be used to decorate your home.
So, if you're looking for a post that can celebrate your unique individuality and design preferences without caring about what anybody else thinks this post is for you.
1. Maximalism
Let's first break down what maximalism is.
Maximalism is founded on a love of Color Prints, bold features of vibrant items, and a lot of statement-making pieces that could mix and match differently in a home.
Although maximalism tends to have an affinity for the more is more aesthetic it doesn't mean that your home looks like a hoarder's Paradise.
On the contrary, maximalism has thoughtful interpretations of things that land in your home, so it looks like a collected curated interior instead of something that looks like a mishmash of just thrift items.
For me, is more I'm inspired by color, I love mixed prints, I love mixed Metals, and I just like a home that speaks to everything that I've collected and loved over the years.
There are some rooms with a minimalist Vibe like my garage, turn studio, and the girl's toddler room but for the most part all the common areas in my home feature a lot of prints, a lot of colors, a lot of mixed materials, and a lot of mixed periods foreign.
2. Gilded Ornate Furniture
I remember at the beginning of my interior design career when I was just starting in trade school, I was really into the Bauhaus movement.
If you're familiar with the Bauhaus design style, it has very angular abstract, geometric shapes with very little ornamentation and that was what I was drawn to initially when I started my interior design career.
It wasn't until I started diving into my art history class and trade school that my love for ornamentation began.
I realized that not only did I love ornamentation.
We're talking about gilded sofas, gilded settees full on beds.
I just really love that sort of ornamentation that had such an artistic quality to it.
It was more is gold is gilded it was everything I loved about French Empire periods mixed with Hollywood Regency and of course, my love for Everything Gold was born but we are not talking about cheap brass, Furniture cheap plated brass.
There is a difference between the ornate ornamentation that goes into gilded furniture that was a hand finished hand gilded.
You can see all of the little intricacies of gold leaf layered on card furniture with a little bit of red peeking through behind it and it's just fabulous.
I mean it was such a far cry from the Bauhaus movement and everything modern and everything angular and everything geometric that I realized that was where my design aesthetic was born foreign.
3. Antique Mirror
An antique mirror is a mirror that has been oxidized.
You can have an antique mirror that is antiqued which means it has been oxidized over time or nowadays you can specify a mirror that is antiqued in the factory.
It's made to look like it's aged and old.
An antique mirror differs from Clear mirrored glass in that you can kind of see these little specks of oxidation.
It can have specks in it, it can have veining in it that looks like it's been aged over time.
I love the antique mirror because it has a very old-world finish I mean it looks like it's been there forever.
There's a difference between antique mirror panels which is what I'm talking about versus Mirrored Furniture.
I don't like mirrored Furniture especially mirrored bedside tables.
Mirrors in the bedroom reflect too much Active Energy, especially in a place of Yin rest.
You don't want too much activity and too much reflection happening in a bedroom especially when you're supposed to be sleeping.
It disrupts your normal sleep cycle and it's bouncing around too much activity and energy.
4. Open Shelving
Open shelving is one of those design features that you either love or hate it.
The camp that loves it has it in their homes and the camp that hates it usually attributes their disdain to all of the dust that collects.
The fact that they can never keep it tidy is that you constantly have to clean it up and style it in a way where it looks presentable.
I'm not talking about open shelving in any other room other than the kitchen.
I remember before I purchased my home I had these Pinterest boards full of open shelving in the kitchen.
The minute that you have open shelving in the kitchen you know that you are sacrificing an entire wall of upper Cabinetry.
Now that might make sense for a single or a couple what if you have a huge family that needs closed cabinets and drawers to hide all of the junk behind?
The open shelving Works in my kitchen because number one is above the sink and not near the stove or the range.
I could see open shelving next to this over-the-range collecting so much dirt, grime, and grease that there's no benefit to having it there I'm constantly having to clean it but since my open shelving is opposite of the stove it's so functional.
For me, the minute the dishes are dried and washed I simply place them right back onto my open shelving.
I use these plates dishes cups and stemware every single day so I rarely have to dust it.
I probably only dust my open shelving once a year and that's right before the Lunar New Year when I do a deep clean of the whole house.
Other than that because I use all of the dishware every single day it doesn't need dusting at all so if you don't currently have open shelving in your home don't knock it till you try it foreign.
5. Velvet
We're talking about everything velvet, velvet Furniture, velvet upholstery, and velvet drapery.
I love velvet and I'll tell you why I have reupholstered so many Furniture items in my home with performance velvet including the dining chairs that I'm sitting on.
Not all velvet is created equally.
If you're using velvet for upholstery like chairs or sofas or even a headboard you want to make sure that the Velvet doesn't have a super high pile.
If it does have a high pile there is a propensity for it to crush underweight.
So if you're sitting on this velvet you'll see the imprint of where you're Seated on it or if you're laying back on the Velvet, especially on a headboard like the one I have in my own home you'll see the areas where it's been crushed under your weight but don't despair you can easily revive velvet by steaming it.
You have to steer clear of crushed velvet either with drapery panels or upholstery furniture because it's just going to look like a bad Halloween costume that you have year-round.
6. Lacquer
Lacquer is a modern wood finish with a high gloss Shine That's typically used on high-end furniture.
Lacquered furniture almost has a thick top coat to it that is impervious to water and doesn't yellow over time.
A lacquer dates back to the early 1920s which is also the height of the Hollywood Golden Era.
As much as I love mid-century, Hollywood Regency Styles and design that is why I love lacquered Furniture.
You can mix lacquered furniture with old ornate wood Antiques and it gives it such a fresh Vibe.
My advice is to always think about contrasting finishes.
If you have an antique piece of furniture in like a matte wood finish you can mix that with a high gloss lacquered piece of furniture and it just Vibes so well off of each other.
The contrast and finishes contrast and colors contrast in mediums make for a dynamic space that almost vibrates visually when you look at it.
Lacquer furniture to me just really looks high-end now we're not talking about an entire room filled with high gloss finishes because too much of a good thing doesn't make anything feel special anymore.
So you want to pick one key item that is lacquered or one key item that is ornate or one key item that has antique finishing to it and that is the star of the room.
While we're on the topic of lacquer finishes I also really love lacquered walls, lacquered molding and trim, and lacquered ceilings.
You will see lacquer come back hugely this year for 2023 and it's really in a response to all of the matte finishes that we've been seeing.
7. Wall-to-Wall Wallpaper
Well, number one wallpaper is expensive you might be able to specify a relatively inexpensive paper but the labor itself to install it professionally is not inexpensive.
I've installed wallpaper myself and it's not for the faint of heart.
You have to consider all of the repeats in the pattern, the existing texture that's already on your walls.
There are so many nuances to installing wallpaper that I always recommend hiring a professional to install it.
To me, there is nothing that compares to the visual interest and impact that wall-to-wall wallpaper makes.
Imagine stepping into a room with this really beautiful pattern on the walls it has a soft texture to it, it has this three-dimensional quality to it that you can't just get from paint alone.
The room just envelops you like a warm cozy hug and that is the power of wallpaper here.
8. Leopard
When anyone asks me what my favorite color is I always say, Leopard.
Leopard is a mix of a lot of different colors but to me black and white and beige and brown act as neutral.
Leopard can become that grounding foundation for you to start layering in more colors.
It matches pretty much any other color of the spectrum.
It's a great foundation for you to start building the room and mixing in more patterns or more color or more texture because leopard is found in nature, you could rest assured that it never goes out of style foreign.
Embracing design trends that may be disliked by others allows you to celebrate your unique individuality and create a space that truly reflects your personal style.
Maximalism, with its vibrant colors and statement pieces, can transform your home into a curated interior full of character. Gilded ornate furniture adds an artistic quality and a touch of luxury, while antique mirrors bring an old-world charm and timeless elegance.
Open shelving, when used strategically, can be functional and visually appealing, especially in the kitchen.
Velvet upholstery and drapery exude a sense of luxury and can be easily revived with steaming. Lacquer finishes, whether on furniture or walls, provide a high-gloss shine and a modern touch that complements contrasting finishes and colors.
Wall-to-wall wallpaper adds visual interest and texture that paint alone cannot achieve, making a room feel warm and inviting.
Finally, leopard print, with its versatile and neutral nature, serves as a grounding foundation for incorporating other colors and patterns into your space.
Embrace these design trends and create a home that truly represents your style, regardless of others' opinions.
FAQs
Q: What is maximalism in interior design?
Maximalism in interior design is a style that embraces vibrant colors, bold features, and a mix of statement-making pieces. It involves incorporating a variety of colors, prints, and materials to create a curated and collected interior.
Maximalism is not about clutter or hoarding, but rather a thoughtful and intentional arrangement of items that reflect your personal style.
Q: What is gilded ornate furniture?
Gilded ornate furniture refers to furniture pieces that are adorned with intricate ornamentation and finished with a layer of gold leaf.
This style draws inspiration from periods such as French Empire and Hollywood Regency, combining artistic quality with a touch of luxury.
It is different from cheap brass or plated brass furniture, as gilded furniture is hand-finished and hand-gilded, showcasing the intricacies of gold leaf.
Q: What is an antique mirror?
An antique mirror is a mirror that has been oxidized to give it an aged and old-world appearance. It can have specks of oxidation, veining, or other signs of aging, which adds character and charm.
Antique mirrors are different from clear mirrored glass and are often used as decorative elements in interiors. They provide a vintage and timeless look, creating a sense of history and sophistication.
Q: What is the appeal of open shelving in the kitchen?
Open shelving in the kitchen is a design feature that some people love for its aesthetic appeal and functionality.
It offers an opportunity to showcase and access frequently used items easily. While some may dislike open shelving due to dust accumulation or the need for constant tidying, it can work well if strategically placed, such as above the sink and away from the stove.
Open shelving allows for the display of everyday dishes and makes them easily accessible, reducing the need for frequent dusting.
Q: Why is velvet popular in interior design?
Velvet is a popular choice in interior design due to its luxurious and rich texture. It adds depth and sophistication to furniture, upholstery, and drapery.
When selecting velvet for upholstery, it is important to choose a velvet with a low pile to prevent crushing under weight.
Velvet can be revived by steaming if it loses its shape. However, crushed velvet is generally avoided for a more polished and elegant look.
Q: What is lacquer in furniture design?
Lacquer is a modern wood finish that provides a high gloss shine to furniture.
It is typically used on high-end pieces and has a durable and water-resistant top coat. Lacquered furniture became popular during the early 1920s, influenced by the Hollywood Golden Era and the Hollywood Regency style.
Combining lacquered furniture with other finishes, such as matte wood or antique pieces, creates a striking contrast and adds a fresh and dynamic vibe to a space.
Q: How does wall-to-wall wallpaper enhance a room?
Wall-to-wall wallpaper creates visual interest and adds texture to a room that paint alone cannot achieve. It offers a unique and immersive experience, enveloping the space with a soft and three-dimensional quality.
While installing wallpaper can be labor-intensive and costly, the impact it creates is often worth the investment.
The patterns and textures of wallpaper can create a warm and cozy atmosphere, transforming a room into a visually captivating and inviting space.
Q: Why is leopard print a versatile choice in design?
Leopard print serves as a versatile and neutral foundation in design. It incorporates various colors, such as black, white, beige, and brown, acting as a grounding element.
Leopard print can be paired with other colors and patterns, allowing for easy integration of different design elements.
As it is inspired by nature, leopard print never goes out of style and provides a timeless and classic touch to any space.