Home trends never end. Here’s 4 reasons why you should stop chasing trends and discover what you truly love for a more unique and happy home!
Trends, oh trends… this is a topic that I have wanted to discuss for some time with you all but it never really felt right. This new month means it’s time to share how we keep our home cozy and what cozy means to us exactly. Today I decided to suck it up and share my thoughts in the hopes that you might look at decorating your home in a new light and in turn create the cozy, welcoming home you’ve always wanted.
Let me preface this post by saying that I don’t hate trends, not all trends anyways and I don’t begrudge anyone who enjoys being trendy and keeping up with it all. In the past I’ve chased a trend or two. The reason that I’ve felt like I needed to write this post is because time and time again I have had clients, friends, family, etc. feel as though they need to keep up with what’s trendy in order for their house to be pretty and relevant. I think we all have a desire to have a home that’s “in style” but I don’t think you should have to forfeit our own style and budget when decorating. At the end of the day you live there. If the items that are in your home are really only there because they’re “trendy” that’s not a good enough reason. After spending a couple of months thinking on this topic I’ve put together 4 reasons why I think it’s important that we stop chasing trends.
1. You never really develop your own person style.
One of the most important reasons to double think chasing trends is that chasing trends for too long can prevent you from developing your own personal style. Some of you may say well I actually love what happens to be trendy now and I would say, great! If you really love it then stick with it but I have a suspicion that some people don’t necessarily love the current trends. This post is not to pick on farmhouse style by any means but I truly believe that at least a few of the people who went farmhouse crazy may have not truly loved it but did so because it was trendy and declared pretty and popular by magazine and shows x, y and z.
If we decided to ignore trends for a while what would we gravitate to on our own? Would we really choose what’s current popular or would we develop our own personal style based solely on what we like? I can’t help but to think of all of the unique looking homes there would be, which brings me to my second reason.
“Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love.” – Nate Berkus
2. You rob your home of having its own unique look.
There will always be things about a home that will look like another. When I think of a house as being unique I think of the personal touches that mean something to the owner and tell a story. I don’t thing anyone really wants every aspect of their home to look like their neighbors. Let’s be honest, anyone can paint their walls a color from Benjamin Moore’s trendy colors list for 202o (Benjamin Moore does have some of my favorite colors) and fill it with the latest trending pillows and knick knacks from big box stores but really its those decor pieces from your travels, treasures from antique and thrift stores, and sentimental items from family members that are what make a home unique and special to you and your family. If you go deeper than just purchasing the latest item decor item from Target before you know it your home will take on its own unique look. It will be a true reflection of you!
This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our full disclosure here.
3. You waste time and money.
This point I know too well. It has taken me many years to hone in on my personal style. It’s a mixture of English country mixed with New England and old Americana. I did’t always know what it was and in the early years of decorating I wasted a lot of time and money. I’d like to think it didn’t take me long to figure out but honestly it took my longer than it probably should have. Too many times I worried about whether or not what I wanted for our home was current and trendy. I hate to think now about how much money was wasted chasing a trends that weren’t my real style. I’ve taken one too many trips to Goodwill over the years to drop off decor that I never really loved to begin with. What a waste! I’m glad that I broke free from that and was able to pen point exactly what I like and how it all works together. I am now decorating to create a classic home that will stay timeless for years to come. I’ve had a few readers and people online that some things in our home are dated, or remind them of their grandma’s house. That’s fine. I don’t care one bit. We like it and honestly my grandma’s house was one of my favorite places to be so if it’s grandma style that’s fine with me!
As far as fining your own style, I don’t really pay attention to what’s trending lists or magazine articles that tell us to ditch certain things and bring in others. Finding your own personal style takes time and a little research. Pinterest is a great way to pen point it. Take a look at the photos you have pinned. You may not see it right away but there’s something that they all have in common. Maybe it’s a particular furniture style, maybe its rich and moody paint colors or light and bright rooms filled with warm wood tones. Maybe you love antiques and certain fabric prints. Whether you browse Pinterest or design magazines, it’s always worth sitting down and taking the time to figure it out. Your wallet will be so happy you did!
“Pick what you like because living with a trend that is not you is never a good choice.” – Thomas Pheasant
4. It’s a never ending chase.
I don’t know about you but after a while I get burnout from chasing something that never seems to finally rest in one place. Chasing and trying to hold down a trend is like chasing a puppy around who has a toy in their mouth, as soon as you get close they run off again. Overall it becomes exhausting. The times that I enjoy our home the most is when I’m still and content with where we are right now. It’s hard to enjoy your home when you’re constantly trying to keep up. Get off that never ending treadmill friends!
“Collect things that you love, that are authentic to you, and your house becomes your story.” – Country Living
Please don’t let this post discourage you in your decorating but instead inspire you to really discover what it is you love and what you want your home to be. A home is never truly finished. It’s nice to know that we have our whole lives to collect and make it our own. Stick with what you love and enjoy the process.
Be sure to hop in and say hello to a few friends of mine who are sharing their cozy living posts today! Spring is such a great time for projects and new recipes. Each one of these talented ladies has something great to share to help you create a cozy home you love!
Hymns and Verses / Sincerely Marie Designs / Duke Manor Farm / Finding Silver Pennies
Making It in the Mountains / Vinyet Etc. / Town and Country Living / Creative Cain Cabin
Love this Amanda! You make such great points and I totally agree that honing your own personal style is so much more rewarding than chasing the latest trends. It always makes for a cozier, more welcoming space I think!
Very well thought out and articulated. Thank you.
My “decor” has always been a combination of “Needs must”, “Late Relative”, and “Early Attic”, polished off with thrift store wins and a few “Have to have its”. It seems to have worked in my city home, seaside, rural and now mountain/woods home. While cute in the pictures, I have no little old toy pick up trucks, buffalo check fabric or shiplap walls. Still . . . my friends always say how comfortable and welcoming my home feels to them. I am so glad you addressed this subject. It is always nice to have one’s own view validated by a designer whose work I so admire. Thank you
I so agree and loved this post. It is easy to get caught up in trends but I’ve found if I just use what I have and be strict on myself when out shopping I tend to not be as trendy. Great read and great tips!
How someone decorates and styles their home Is a perfect way to express their personality and what makes them happy . Love this post!
I want those who come into my home to know something about me by my decor. It is easy to tell my interest in gardening,birds and nature. The colors green and blue are predominate along with calming neutrals. You will know I am a collector from my vignettes, and like antiques as well as traditional furniture. I love to read about new trending ideas but do not feel I need to follow them unless they feel right for our lifestyle. Thanks for an excellent essay.
I do agree. People get so caught up in trends. They move from one trend to the next wanting to have whatever is popular.
Before the farmhouse trend went crazy my decor style was farmhouse..ish. It was funny how no one noticed my farmhouse style until they grasp onto the trend. I have things I love in my home and have had for years. When I buy a new-old piece, it has a purpose or a story. Many items in my home are my grandmothers, so they are authentic “farmhouse” pieces.
I have seen ones who have hopped on the farmhouse wagon and now changing to a more modern trends or the boho trend. They are selling all their Hobby Lobby loot and buying more stuff. I can’t understand ( or afford) it!! So, you are so on point with this……stick with what you love and enjoy the process.
Thank you for speaking the truth! I have wasted time and money trying to keep up with each trend. It just left me with an empty wallet and a heaping dose of discouragement. I found my style is clean farmhouse with a hint of New England. I grew up in a small town in Connecticut and I miss the New England style. Adding those hints help to feel like myself not someone else.. I want people to feel comfortable when they come to my home and I want it to feel warm and inviting not sterile.
Hi, Amanda! Thank you for having the courage to speak about a subject which has been on my mind for awhile.
Why would anyone want to have cookie cutter homes when they could express they’re own tastes and save money doing so instead of starting over every year or so? You made some great points for finding your own style and sticking with it! Many years ago, over forty actually, my husband was stationed in Germany. Those of us sent had limited weight allowance so most of our furniture stayed in the states in storage. Once we had apartments, we were requisitioned a small selection of furniture, most identical to what others had except perhaps sofa and chair color. Each of us set about making our apartments our own . Through furniture arrangement and accessories we put our mark of individuality on our homes because we didn’t want to live in identical spaces. One person came up with extra end tables to stack them for a bookcase!
I whole-heartedly agree with everything you said in this post. I also believe classic style will always be “in” and will always look fresh but timeless. LOVE seeing all the photos of your home, too. LOVE your style xx
Thank you so much for this post. I love the white walls used for both modern and farmhouse looks so I’m transitioning to that. However, I don’t like a lot of the rest I see … it’s not me. I love beautiful natural wood antiques, especially mahagony, and am an Atlantic Ocean girl so beach colors of the sand, ocean., and shells are me. I’ll end up an uncluttered, eclectic, boho mix and perfectly happy!
I could not agree with you more! Go with your heart and not what’s in all the stores! One can so easily get caught in the newest trends! I’m in the process of gathering my grandmother’s poetry and framing them. Do what makes you happy, not everyone else, been there, done that. I love your blog!!
Thank you for saying exactly what goes through my mind almost every time I read a blog. Some people never stop turning over their homes with new everything! I love my home and there is a story behind almost everything in every room. I’m always moving objects from room to room but I’ve created a home where friends come to sit and talk, laugh and cry, drink coffee, tea or wine and feel better when they leave. Again, thanks for being brave enough to speak your mind.
You summed it up perfectly when you said that trends are a never-ending chase. After chasing the shabby chic trend for a while, I finally settled into what I truly love – natural decor in neutral tones with a hint of country. Thanks for your post!
I LOVE this so much! I’ve never been a trend chaser and all of your reasons are summed up so perfectly why! Your home is gorgeous!
Excellent post – it really hit home for me. I decorate with what makes me happy not with what is trendy. However, many times people comment on my choices which makes me get defensive . My family loves our home and that is all that matters to me. Years ago I used to constantly second guess myself & be full of indecision- even with mundane items such as bath mat colors – ridiculous I know! When I stopped worrying about others opinions and listened to my own heart- that is when I truly began loving my home.
I really needed to hear this! I am guilty of following trends that I’m not even crazy about. I am currently working on a small cottage on a lake and trying to stick to our style and story. When I reflect on homes I love they are most in tune with the families who live in them; souvenirs from their travels, gifts from their children, etc.
Love your home! Thank you for sharing.
Nancy
Well said!!! I’ve always wondered who picks the trends and what makes them the experts? I loved reading this post, and your take on the trends, not to say nothing good ever comes, but why should others tell you what feels right in our homes.
I agree with your post. Trying to follow the latest decor trends just ends up with your home looking like everyone else’s on Instagram. The wallpaper goes up, the wallpaper comes down. The ship lap goes up until the next trend comes along. And don’t let me get started about vertical ship lap….in the 70’s and 80’s it was called “panelling” and we couldn’t wait to get rid of it. Don’t get me wrong, I like to look at trends but I incorporate them in my home decor minimally. I try new trends out to see with what goes with my 10 year old Lazy Boy couch (biscuit coloured, not trendy but I LOVE it), my 35 year old mahogany end tables, bought when my children were toddlers and my spattering of IKEA purchases. My home is a reflection of me, not what is trending. It is warm, inviting and welcoming to everyone. Definitely not Instagram worthy but lovely just the same.
Well said! I can not tell you how much it bothers me when I see a home decorated with items from this one web site that sells items that change everyday. These homes all have the same stuff in them, no thinking about individual style they just buy what the site has to offer and you can tell where they got everything! Not a collected look at all. The money these folks waste on trends that go away so quickly when they could buy a real piece of art, or the actual antique that the site has a reproduction of is crazy. You can tell they just saw it and bought it because they think that is “in” at the moment. Thank you for this post, it is really filled with truth!
Hello,
I agree completely, thank you for this post. I noticed your shower curtain on your claw foot tub. We are currently putting one in and I am having a hard time finding a new white shower curtain that doesnt look cheap. Can you tell me where you purchased your white shower curtain? Thanks,
Blessings Candy
Count me in on the group of ladies who whole heartedly agree with you. Several years ago I looked around my home and was very happy except things were hand me downs and not new and pristine. So I pretended I was a writer for a home decor magazine and I wrote about my rooms. About the patina (I.e. scratches) on the tables, the textured (toy dents) walls, the assortment (odd) of different lamps. Well you get the idea. It’s all what you name it! And I like mine to not be big box store variety. Or have someone else’s name on it. Thank you, thank you.
Very well put. I couldn’t agree with you more.
You have a lovely home – and a great attitude about decor/design.
Stay well.
I totally agree with you, too! And when you said people can critique your style as “too grandma style,” well, that is very complimentary in my mind, even though they don’t care for your look (or mine). Grandma style includes real wood, antiques that are truly special, beautiful handmade quilts (that maybe she made herself), gorgeous landscapes, handmade pottery, ironstone, fine china, silver pitchers, pretty plants, soft pillows, copper pots, milk glass, antique teacups, depression glass, and brass candlesticks. They don’t manufacture family heirlooms at the department store. I think often Grandma got it right! I know it doesn’t speak to everyone, and new and modern can be very pretty, too. My sister mainly has a contemporary look, and she is not into antiques, and her home is very pretty just as it is. All ages can embrace “grandma chic.”. It can be so pretty. Case in point: your home is so pretty!
Great article. Concise and to the point.
I always tell people that I am eclectic because my trend is what I like. Everything in my home tells a story. My entire family laughingly says if it is unusual, an odd shape, or color she will like it, but it must have a function or she won’t like it. I also am not one to have a lot of objects out for show.
I really have never been into trends because they don’t stand the test of time – they come and go to quickly for me to invest in which you addressed in your article.