Design trends come and go, and while some gain immense popularity, others leave us questioning their appeal.
In this article, we delve into the world of design, poking fun at the trends and key features that have become part of the design vernacular.
We'll take a closer look at seven design trends that have captured the attention of many, discussing why they are loved by some and why they fail to impress others.
From luxury vinyl flooring to wall-to-wall shiplap, faux marble surfaces to plantation shutters, barn doors, painted accent walls, and white-on-white kitchens, we examine the reasons behind their popularity and offer alternative design choices.
Join
us as we explore the highs and lows of these trends, uncovering what
truly adds value and style to your living spaces. Without further ado,
let's dive into the world of design and discover the truth behind these
design fads.
1. Luxury Vinyl Flooring
The first item on my list of design Trends I hate but most people love is luxury vinyl flooring.
Now we're talking about luxury vinyl planks and luxury vinyl tile you might know as lip or LVT.
Luxury vinyl planks are an affordable option if you love the look of wood but you're not about to spend a whole lot of money on it.
People love luxury vinyl because it's affordable, it's durable, it's impervious to moisture, and it comes in so many different styles and colors finishes.
It can surely fit within your budget and there's probably a style that will suit your family's needs but here's a list of reasons why I don't love luxury vinyl planks or tile.
Luxury vinyl tile can dent, scratch, or scuff especially from heavy appliances or Furniture.
If you have a refrigerator that's sitting on it or a large heavy sectional and once you move this weighty object you can see the dent of the object on the surface of the tile just because it's resistant to scratches and scuffs it doesn't mean that it's complete completely impervious to it.
Other problems can include crumpling at the edges especially if the adhesive has loosened from the tile.
If you are installing a click-lock type of vinyl plank you have to make sure that the substrate is even or it could lift the floor's edges and Joints over time.
Due to the materials used in the production of the luxury vinyl tile, it will sometimes emit various levels of VOCs that's volatile organic compounds into the air for some time after installation.
These toxic chemicals can be harmful to the air quality of your environment once it's installed and it has the possibility of causing respiratory problems over time.
I'm a huge advocate of sharing finishes and materials that add value to your home over time.
Even
though you might not sell your property anytime soon or you're already
in your forever home I don't think luxury vinyl tile has any resale
value.
You need to recognize as a homeowner that you might be spending Less on the materials and labor of installation right now for luxury vinyl tile but over time that actually can decrease the return on your investment.
Luxury vinyl planks might seem to you like they're hot in the design market right now, you can go to a hardware store, and everyone's kind of trying to Hawk a luxury vinyl tile or plank.
there's a very little learning curve, it's really quick and easy to install, it's easy to cut, and it's easy to manipulate so of course, it's a contractor's dream flooring material.
But for me, I just don't love the look the top of the vinyl planks is just a digital imprint and reproduction of what real wood looks like so it never can't quite look like the real thing to me.
If you love the look of wood but you don't quite have the budget for a higher-end laminate or engineered hardwood or hardwood the real thing then you might want to try tile.
Going for a large-scale tile immediately makes your home feel more luxurious instead look for 12 by 24 tile options the scale of the tile the more luxurious your home would look even in small spaces.
2. Wall-to-Wall Shiplap
Shiplap gained popularity and became a huge design moment especially when Joanna Gaines featured it in every single episode of Fixer Upper on HGTV.
If you currently have shiplap in your home more power to you I feel like there should be a design intent to every single finish that you put in your space.
If you have a modern Farmhouse type of aesthetic I love the way Shiplap looks, I love it in homes filled with a lot of light and high ceilings.
I feel like there's a time and place for everything but what I don't love about shiplap is when you have a really small space you have short ceilings and now you're installing these horizontal planks wall-to-wall. think of it like horizontal stripes.
Vertical stripes raise your eye up and visually make anything look taller and longer.
On the flip side horizontal stripes make everything look short and stubbier so you always want to consider the type of space it is whether or not the room gets a ton of light your design aesthetic and see if shiplap is right for you.
If you're looking to add visual interest to your walls because your style is minimal and that's kind of why you love shiplap consider panel molding or even a board and Baton type of trim.
You can install panel molding directly to drywall and have it painted the same color as your walls.
Not
only does this create a three-dimensional effect you can even use the
insets of each panel to highlight artwork or install a wall covering
whether or not, but it's also textured printed, or patterned, or use
molding to frame out really beautiful lighting like wall sconces.
Board and Baton trim work really can't stand on its own I can see a floor-to-ceiling installation painted in the same color as all of your walls or painted in a contrasting color to become a feature wall in your space.
Think of your design intent for the space and install a feature on the walls that highlights all of the architectural details of your space and helps to visually expand the space.
3. Faux Marble Quartz or PorcelainI
understand why you might be choosing to use this material in your home, not only is marble expensive, it's porous which means it needs constant resealing to maintain and upkeep it.
Quartz and Porcelain are almost indestructible, they're very low maintenance, they're non-porous, and it's so easy to clean but there is a huge difference in the type of digital imprint that you're looking for.
Quartz is typically fabricated with that marble-looking vein and pattern onto the material.
you can kind of see that penetration of the pattern and the veining woven throughout the thickness of the quartz whereas for porcelain that marble look is imprinted on the surface of the slab, it looks like a digital photocopy.
f you're looking for something that mimics the natural look of stone but you don't want to pay that premium, you have to pay attention to what that digital reproduction looks like.
If you don't have the budget for real natural stone, try specifying quartz porcelain in a uniform color and apply that budget to a natural stone backsplash instead.
I love pairing a simple countertop whether or not, it's on the island or your perimeter with a statement-making backsplash.
After all the backsplash is the first thing you see since it's lining the walls and it's not a horizontal surface foreign.
4. Plantation Shutters
I get a lot of flack for this and honestly hate is a really strong word.
I don't hate anything in design, I know that there's functionality to any type of design feature that you might put in your space.
I understand why people love plantation shutters, there's a thermal quality to it that can't be beat you have the flexibility of allowing light to filter the space you can control it with the different louvers, they're custom-made to fit your space and they look expensive because really they are expensive but here's the main reason of why I don't love plantation shutters.
To me they're not that functional you can't put any furniture in front of plantation shutters or else you won't be able to operate the windows.
The only time you can open your windows wide and let all of that beautiful natural light in is without anything in its way.
The only time you can open your windows wide and let all of that beautiful natural light in is without anything in its way.
From the exterior of the home looking in it almost looks like an institution.
There are so many different window treatments out there that would not only soften the look of the home but it'll also add a lot of colors, a lot of patterns, and a lot of visual interest to your space.
My favorite types of window treatments are shears or Shades layered with drapery panels, whether or not you choose to install a decorative Rod or if they're on a concealed transom Rod that is completely up to you.
From the inside your windows look soft, they could look Gauzy they could look modern, they're very transitional and it looks very high-end and luxurious.
You can install shades for privacy and really beautiful shears to let that natural daylight filter through and the color of your drapery panels can pull together the entire look of your design.
So, the next time you're deliberating on whether or not you want to install plantation shutters in your space think about your design intent, your budget, and your needs.
5. Barn Doors
Like I said before I don't hate anything, I understand the functionality of why people love barn doors.
You might have an opening that doesn't have the clearance to open and shut a door, but you do have the wall space to kind of slide a door back and forth.
The reason I hate barn doors is that number one do you live in a barn, do you live in an actual Farmhouse, that's the only time this industrial type of exposed track and a sliding door fits the bill.
I don't like barn doors because they don't have any acoustical value even after you close the door you can still hear everything that's happening inside.
You have visual privacy but you don't have that acoustical privacy.
I also don't like the fact that you really can't address or put anything on that huge wall after you slide the Barn Door back and forth.
You can't have any functional electrical outlets there, you really can't have any artwork placed on that wall so what gets to me is a huge blank space on the side of a sliding barn door.
6. Painted Accent Wall
I hate that most people love the painted accent wall.
The common design mistake that people make when it comes to accent walls is just painting a wall for the heck of it you think that painting a single wall in your space a contrasting color from everything else in your home brings more attention to it, but it detracts from the value of the room.
Think about that visual impact that you're trying to make sometimes it's about the furniture, sometimes it's about the lighting, sometimes it's about a beautifully styled space that creates that wow moment, and it's never usually about one single painted accent wall, especially in a contrasting color that has nothing to do with the rest of the space.
My top designer's tip when it comes to an accent wall is to allow that wall to become a feature of your room if you're trying to highlight it and think about the one thing that room needs to make it feel more cohesive instead of a painted accent wall.
- Think about featuring the ceiling which I consider the fifth wall in interior design.
- Think about specifying a really beautiful area rug that helps ground a seating group.
- Think about a wall of windows and a gorgeous view and how you're going to address the window treatments that help frame that view.
Think about the entire room as a whole and not just one wall that you're going to slap a coat of paint on it.
Typically, that's not how a space feels more high-end and luxurious, it's all about the details.
7. White Kitchens
You recognize it the minute you see it it is white cabinets on white countertops.
To me, the look could feel boring, really Bland, really sterile, especially if the white is not a warm white or an off-white.
This trend was made popular by minimal design.
You might want the lighting to be featured it might be all about your appliances white kitchens can be very safe, but they can also feel sterile if you have a white-on-white kitchen and you want to play with a little bit of color try bringing in a different accent with the finishes of your faucets and your lighting.
You can mix metals like matte black and raw brass polished nickel with stainless steel or maybe bring in some copper and bronze elements in the space.
Typically, people like the white-and-white kitchen because it feels really clean, it feels bright and airy but the key to a successful white-on-white kitchen is how you mix up these finishes it.
Could be a really beautiful blade thanks late and a white canvas for you to Showcase photography or artwork but if you're not fully accessorizing the space with all of these little designer details I would introduce stained cabinets or a really beautiful colored countertop instead.
In conclusion, design trends are subjective and while some trends gain immense popularity, others may not appeal to everyone.
In this article, we explored seven design trends that have captured attention but have mixed reviews among individuals.
Luxury vinyl flooring, wall-to-wall shiplap, faux marble surfaces, plantation shutters, barn doors, painted accent walls, and white-on-white kitchens were discussed in terms of their advantages and drawbacks.
Luxury vinyl flooring offers affordability, durability, and a wide range of styles, but it may be prone to denting, scratching, and emitting volatile organic compounds.
Wall-to-wall shiplap gained popularity but may not be suitable for small spaces with low ceilings. Faux marble surfaces provide a low-maintenance alternative to real marble but require attention to the quality of the digital reproduction.
Plantation shutters offer flexibility and thermal qualities but can limit furniture placement and may give a rigid appearance from the exterior.
Barn doors provide functionality but lack acoustic privacy and limit wall space usage.
Painted accent walls, when chosen without consideration for the overall space, can detract from the room's value.
White-on-white kitchens, while popular for their clean and bright aesthetics, may appear sterile if not complemented with contrasting finishes.
In the end, design choices should align with personal preferences, design intent, and the specific needs of the space.
It is important to consider the long-term value, functionality, and overall aesthetic impact when incorporating design trends.
By exploring alternatives and considering various elements of design, individuals can create living spaces that truly reflect their style and add value to their homes.
FAQs
Q: What are the advantages of luxury vinyl flooring?
Luxury vinyl flooring is affordable, durable, and comes in a wide range of styles and colors.
It is impervious to moisture and can withstand heavy appliances and furniture.
It is easy to install, cut, and manipulate.
Q: What are the drawbacks of luxury vinyl flooring?
Luxury vinyl tile can dent, scratch, or scuff, especially under heavy objects.
The edges may crumple if the adhesive loosens.Installation on uneven substrates can lead to lifting of the floor's edges and joints over time.
Some luxury vinyl tile may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after installation, which can affect indoor air quality.
Q: Does luxury vinyl flooring have resale value?
Luxury vinyl tile may not have significant resale value compared to other flooring options.
While it is affordable initially, it may not provide a high return on investment over time.
Q: What are the alternatives to wall-to-wall shiplap?
For small spaces with low ceilings, consider vertical stripes or alternative wall treatments such as panel molding or board and batten trim.
Panel molding can create a three-dimensional effect and be used to highlight artwork or install wall coverings.
Board and batten trim can be used to create a feature wall or add architectural details.
Q: What are the differences between quartz and porcelain faux marble surfaces?
Quartz has a marble-looking vein and pattern that penetrates throughout the thickness of the material.
Porcelain has a marble look imprinted on the surface, resembling a digital photocopy.
Consider the quality of the digital reproduction when choosing between the two.
What are the advantages of plantation shutters?Plantation shutters offer thermal qualities and allow control over light filtration.
They are custom-made to fit the space and can provide a luxurious appearance.
Q: What are the drawbacks of plantation shutters?
Furniture placement near plantation shutters may hinder their operation.
From the exterior, plantation shutters can give a rigid appearance.
There are alternative window treatments available that can soften the look of the home and add colors, patterns, and visual interest.
Q: What are the limitations of barn doors?
Barn doors may lack acoustical privacy, allowing sound to be heard even when closed.
They may limit wall space usage, making it difficult to install functional elements such as electrical outlets or artwork.
Q: Why are painted accent walls not always recommended?
Painted accent walls, when chosen without considering the overall space, can detract from the room's value.
It is important to think about the visual impact of the room as a whole, considering furniture, lighting, and other design elements.
Q: How can white-on-white kitchens be enhanced?
White-on-white kitchens can be complemented by mixing up finishes, such as matte black, raw brass, polished nickel, stainless steel, copper, or bronze elements.
Adding a colored countertop or stained cabinets can also introduce visual interest to prevent a sterile appearance.
Q: How should design trends be approached?
Design trends are subjective, and personal preferences should guide design choices.
Consider the long-term value, functionality, and aesthetic impact of trends.
Explore alternatives and consider elements such as design intent, budget, and specific needs of the space to create a cohesive and personalized living environment.