Trends: The Pros And Cons Of Trends In Interior Design
This is not an article or post saying the pros of trends are better than the cons or vice versa. However, what this provides us with is an idea of how we as individuals want to feel in our spaces and also how we can think of spaces and occupy them. It's less about the trends and the season it’s in and more about creating a space that is timeless (even if just for you). Having pieces that you've collected throughout the years and expressing your own style and stories gives spaces so much more. There is also the element of not overfilling a space or under filling a space. Yes, this does depend on the function of the room and should be carefully considered as to which end of the spectrum is best suited. I will also mention that I don’t believe trends in themselves are necessarily bad. Here, I’m playing a bit of the devil’s advocate, and no, neither is really wrong or right. So, below are just some of the pros and cons of trends; there could be more, who knows.
The pros:
Each season has a different feel.
The practicality of each season (what you have or use in winter is not the same as summer, obviously).
Allows for freshening up a dead or stagnant space.
The more 'set' or seasonal items create longevity (the duration of wear and tear becomes less).
The constant evolution of creativity and expression and pushing boundaries or norms.
Accessibility of new ideas to decorate your home (mass production).
The benefit of items that are newly created and produced (also, mass production).
More options for new things (again, leads to mass production).
Trends can be adopted or adapted in such a way that creates a timelessness.
‘Sustainability is not about being able to have a lot of things, nor is it about being so minimalist that your environment is denuded of joy, fun, life and personality.’
The cons:
Interior spaces to always be ‘in season’ or ‘on trend’.
Freshening up a space can be done without different trends throughout the seasons.
Not redressing spaces constantly saves money and time (and can be more sustainable).
The fewer items you have also saves money.
Quality can be lost due to mass production.
Quality products can be hard to find.
Leads to non-personalised spaces, and becomes outdated faster (the mass production).
Longevity and life cycle, fewer items reduces waste to landfill (can lead to being minimalist).
Creativity and expression is always around us regardless of what time period it's in.
The latest is not always the best.
You only really need to update interiors when things are broken or are no longer useful.
What might be trending today, won’t be tomorrow when you need to refurbish or renovate.
‘Choose what you want in your space and how you want to feel.’
Most people don’t actually have the time or budget to keep up with trends or continually refurbish their home or space; it’s quite impractical. These trends coming and going throughout the years are generally a guide as to where our creativity is in culture and society, allowing us to see what we do and don't like. It's all subjective and current trends are only usually considered when a new building is being built or an old one being renovated, maybe even extended. Decoration trends can be considered due to wear and tear or when an item is broken. In terms of trends and sustainability, we may need to think about what we really do need and what we don’t. Sustainability is not about being able to have a lot of things, nor is it about being so minimalist that your environment is denuded of joy, fun, life and personality.
If there is anything to know from this, don’t be annoyed at not having the latest trend in your space (you’re probably not anyway, yay). It’s to choose what you want in your space and how you want to feel and not what others are telling you to have or want (unless it’s a professional giving you advice on the benefits of how, why, and what will or won’t work). You will know when it’s time to freshen up your space and when and what you need to replace, if you need to do so. Go and make your space, or spaces the best you can, even if it’s just to rearrange the furniture.