When it gets to fashionable items, one saying goes rings all too true: in today, gone tomorrow. But, we also understand that you want your home to have a modern look and feel. So, just how do you bring trends into your home and ensure that it’s still relevant a year or five down the line? Here are five rules to embracing style that has staying power.
- Stick to a classic style on the big, functional items
While velvet might be all the rage today, opting for an expensive velvet sofa today isn’t such a great idea as might look dated tomorrow. Instead, when it gets spending on those bigger items in your home like the sofa and dining room table and chairs, choose something that is neutral and classic in style – something that won’t stick out like a sore thumb in five to 10 years’ time.
The same principal applies to the finishes of your home. For example: while encaustic cement tiles are extremely popular now, it’s important to consider how its design will hold up in a few years’ time? It’s bound to become an eyesore in (even if you might not think so right now… remember those green, pink, blue and yellow bathroom tiles were once a trend way back in the 1970s too!), and it will be a costly exercise to replace them throughout your home. Instead, when it gets to the big finishes of your home like tiles and kitchen and bathroom fittings, opt for items that are neutral in shade and classic in design (these can still have a stylish look to them).
If you really have your heart set on incorporating a trendy item, do it in a smaller space such as the guest toilet – it’ll be easier and more cost effective to replace a few years later.
- Add trendy accessories to the classic, functional items
It’s far easier and inexpensive to incorporate trendy décor accessories into your home that has a timeless look and feel. Think: an industrial looking lamp, that chevron designed rug, a brightly coloured throw and metallic scatter cushions – of course, don’t add all the trends at once; be selective about what trendy pieces you bring in and ensure that they work well in the space.
This is also a fun way to update a specific room season to season and a clever way to bring a pop of colour into a space that might otherwise look very neutral.
- Think differently about lighting
We might have said that you need to keep your finishes neutral and classic. However, when it gets to light fixtures, we believe that trendy pieces can do wonders to give your home a stylish, contemporary look – a statement chandelier or accent lighting pendant can make a huge impact, especially if all other finishes are neutral and classic. Plus, a light is far cheaper to replace than the whole living space floor or the kitchen cupboards.
- Quality over quantity
Most (if not all) décor experts preach the gospel of “clean lines will always be in style”, and for good reason: a home where every square meter is filled with trendy décor pieces is not only an eyesore but will also look dated much quicker. Instead, curate what trendy décor pieces you want to include – this is a great way to shop for unique, high-quality pieces that will add to your home’s style, and let these trendy pieces compliment your classic items.
- Liven up timeless pieces with texture
Choosing items that have longevity can sometimes feel bland and boring. But by adding textural pieces, you can create intrigue as well as break the monotony of those neutral bigger pieces. Just imagine how well a jute rug, rugged-knitted blanket or exposed brick wall will look next to your beige sofa!
