What’s the Point of Studying Interior Design Trends?

After reading a few articles about the latest interior design trends, articles which tend to conflict we admit, one might wonder what is the point? If trends change so regularly, do they even matter?

To take this a step farther, there are “current” trends that are so out of date that one wonders if the designer understands the meaning of the word. It’s far too easy to take a space beyond kitsch to campy, tacky, and corny and, despite what “everyone else” be doing, a sharp designer will avoid such trendy traps.

As explained in an article at Forbes.com (admittedly not our usual source for design trends), author Amanda Lauren writes: “Just because a look is heavily featured on social media or HGTV, doesn't mean it's a good choice for everyone from an aesthetic or even a practicality standpoint.”

(You might wan to check out this article to see some of the “least favorite” trends among designers today.)

Why Design Trends Matter

At the most fundamental level, interior design is about making a space livable. Moving well beyond the old, simplistic design business model of offering good taste and “sensitivity”, contemporary designers focus on the process:

“… a process that provides [clients] with a set of aesthetically pleasing but efficient solutions for a better use of the space in question. The goal of interior design is to improve the user experience by better managing the space available in the intervened environment.” (EssentialHome.eu)

 In other words, the most important design trends are not simply about colors, weaves, and textures; or whether wallpaper has become more popular than paint or whether hardwood floors are better than tile. It’s not about impressing the neighbors or family members.

Ultimately, the only “trend” that should matter to an interior designer is how you can transform the lives of people who live within, or enjoy a particular space, and improve their quality of life through professional design, beautiful decoration, and quality home furnishings.

Looking for more interior design trends, design business tips, marketing tips, new products, and furnishing ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.