How to Follow Paint Color & Design Trends With No Regret (PART 4 of 6)

And the ONE WORD to consider before you hop on the trend train…

I’ve written many blog posts on current and past design and paint color trends and creating a timeless, trend-proof home (links at the bottom). However, sometimes it’s best to keep things simple (something you’ll rarely hear me say, as you know I love to talk/type).

This is why I’ve created an easy, bullet-point list to help you consider whether you should commit to a particular trend (just joking, it’s not easy, it’s a 1500-word article, but it’s damn good). And if you read it all, you’ll find the ONE MAGICAL WORD you need to live by at the end of this blog post. Three slaps with a wet noodle if you don’t read it all.

WHY YOU SHOULD FOLLOW DESIGN & PAINT TRENDS…

• You plan on selling in the next few years and are sure this trend will remain popular (i.e., you’re not just catching it on its way out). Research your particular demographic and see if this trend relates to them. If so, FILL YOUR LIL’ TRENDY BOOTS!

• You’re not personally married to one particular color or style and love CHANGE (join the club; it’s fun—we drink wine and talk about paint colors and Ryan Reynolds all day).

• You have the resources to change your home when the next trend you love comes along. If not, you may want to make choices that are more AFFORDABLE and easy to change in the future (e.g., decor vs. hard finishes).

• Your home’s location or particular style actually SUITS this particular trend regardless of whether it’s in style or not.

There are MANY timeless features in the above space – Benjamin Moore White Dove

Kylie M Interiors / Rick Pharaoh Photography / Lewis Remodelling

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T FOLLOW DESIGN & PAINT TRENDS…

• You don’t have the resources to change this particular trend or style once it’s passed—assuming you see a need to change it, either for personal tastes or resale.

• You’ve never followed trends. If your home has something ‘trendy’ in it, that’s just a coincidence – you do what you love!

• If you plan on staying in your home for five-seven years or more, at this point, anything trendy will likely be on its way out anyway; trendiness will be irrelevant. You may as well do what you LOVE, whether trendy or not, OR make a more timeless choice.

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

HOW TO FOLLOW DESIGN & PAINT TRENDS WITHOUT REGRETTING IT

When it comes to trends, it’s often about whether you have the means—physically and financially—to change them should you need to down the road. This can be for personal reasons, i.e., you don’t like this trend anymore and want to try a new one, or you want to sell your home, and this trend has passed and makes your home look dated.

However, sometimes an idea captures our hearts, and before we know it, we’ve got two-toned walls and a garbage bag full of used sponges (I see you, you early 2000s sponge painters). This same concept can be directly related to the love for, dare I say…shiplap walls.

I LOVE SHIPLAP WALLS, and although they’re no longer trendy, I’m not changing mine anytime soon. However, the prospect of changing them doesn’t scare me as I didn’t commit to them on such a large scale that I may as well rebuild my home.

This said, going into 2025, would I do a small room like this next powder room in shiplap? You bet your BOOTY I would, as long as I’m willing to redo the drywall when I’m over it…

3 Ideas to Add STYLE to a Small Bathroom

It’s also on such a small scale that if I choose to sell, this one little loo ain’t gonna make or break a deal.

Would I do a larger room or multiple rooms? HECK NO! At the most, I’d do a very small room (as shown above) or a feature wall.

Of course, if your home actually IS a modern farmhouse, you can carry this look for a loooong time.

Often, there’s a great happy medium when it comes to trends…

SCALE IT DOWN

If the current trend is a particular paint color, commit to it on a smaller scale. For example, if you love dark green cabinets (a hot topic these days)…

INSTEAD OF… painting all of your kitchen cabinets the current hot color, paint your kitchen island or bathroom vanity this color instead—keep it to a smaller scale that’s easier to change if needed.

6 Questions to Ask Before You Paint Your Cabinets White

INSTEAD OF…painting your entire home or huge open layout a trendy paint color, paint an accent wall or a few single rooms, as these are easier to change in the future.

If the current trend is more design-related…

INSTEAD OF… buying large, expensive furniture pieces in a trendy color, add this color to your room via decor or smaller furniture pieces—keep the large pieces more timeless in color and style.

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

When it comes to design elements involving pattern, whether its a fabric or backsplash tile…

INSTEAD OF…committing to a popular pattern on permanent hard surfaces (i.e. tiled surfaces), add this pattern in smaller doses on toss cushions, drapes, or area rugs. Or at the most, keep the pattern to a smaller tiled area.

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray

If the current trend relates to an expensive hard surface such as flooring and countertops, BE CAREFUL, as they’re some of the most costly to replace should you change your mind in a few years or want to sell.

INSTEAD OF…leaning into a trend wholeheartedly (e.g., choosing super light wood floors when you don’t live in a beachy/lake area), find a more moderate, timeless stain that suits lighter wood. Then, add some lighter wood in accents and smaller furniture pieces.

How to Mix & Match Wood Stains

INSTEAD OF…installing an expensive backsplash tile in today’s top tile trend, choose a more timeless subway tile and add your trendy pattern to your decor (room decor, rug, etc…)

Are Graywash & Whitewash Wood Floors Still Trendy?

This type of flooring is no longer trendy. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray walls

I’m not telling you NOT to do these things (based on the previously listed reasons). However, if you care about RESALE or change your style often, you may want to think twice about some of your choices. 

How to Create a Timeless Home

THE ONE MAGICAL WORD TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU CONSIDER HOPPING ON THE TREND TRAIN…

Early on, I mentioned one magical word to consider when decorating with today’s modern paint colors, patterns, and ideas…

MODERATION

It doesn’t matter if it’s a trendy color, pattern, flooring, or finish; using it in MODERATION while considering how much it will cost should you want to replace it in the future is the best way to use trends in your own home.

Long story short, as usual, no matter what trend you’re considering, don’t commit to it on such a large scale that you need to rebuild your home to embrace a new style or prepare it for selling in a new market.

READ MORE

PART 1 – The 10 Most Timeless Interior Finishes

PART 2 – The Most Timeless Neutral Paint Colors

PART 3 – How to Create a Timeless Home That Still Has Personality

PART 5 – The Most Timeless Cabinet Paint Colors

PART 6 – The Most Timeless Kitchen Countertops

NEED HELP?

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING & E-DESIGN SERVICES! 

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2021, UPDATED IN 2024