HOW TO DECORATE A SPACE YOU ACTUALLY LOVE AMID CONSTANTLY-CHANGING HOME TRENDS

Learn how to implement new home decor trends while maintaining a timeless aesthetic that feels like you.

With a new home decor trend popping up on social media every other day, defining your personal style without falling into the trend trap can be a challenge. One day it's all about calming neutrals, and then hot Barbie-pink is all the rage. New trends can be fun and inspire you to redecorate your home, but they can also be overwhelming and make it hard to figure out what your actual style is.

We chatted with interior designer Sarah Tract to get her thoughts on how to hone in on your personal style and the best way to incorporate new decor trends while maintaining a timeless space.

How to Hone in on Your Personal Style

Use Tract's expert advice to invest in quality pieces that stand the test of time, stick to what you genuinely like, and incorporate trends through less permanent items.

Decide What Makes You Feel Good

Honing in on your personal style can be a challenge when new design trends pop up faster than anyone can keep up with. "I think the best way to hone in on your personal style is to evaluate what design elements make you feel good," Tract says. While the question, "Does it spark joy?" became synonymous with decluttering your home, it's a good one to ask yourself when narrowing down and ultimately defining your personal style.

Gather Inspiration and Notice Common Threads

"Going through your saved designs on Pinterest and Instagram is a great starting point to know which direction you want to go in for your own space," Tract says. Look through images you've saved and paint swatches or fabric scraps you've collected to see whether you notice a pattern emerging. Perhaps you're drawn to a specific color palette or seem to have repeatedly saved images featuring a certain style of lighting. Write down all noticeable patterns and trends you see, from wall colors to architectural features.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Considering your lifestyle is another way to narrow down your personal style, as it provides clues for furnishing and decorating your home. Style and function inevitably go together, so think about the way you live in your home. Do you love slow weekend mornings reading the paper and enjoying a delicious breakfast? A cozy breakfast nook with a built-in banquette may be just the thing to implement into your kitchen. Do you collect a certain type of dishes? Replace upper kitchen cabinets with open shelving to display your collection.

How to Incorporate Trends While Maintaining a Timeless Interior

It's fun to implement new design trends into your home, but an overly trendy space can be generic and look outdated the second the next new thing emerges. This is why Tract stresses the importance of curating a timeless interior and periodically refreshing it with popular trends. "The best elements of design are those that are timeless," she says. "Allowing your designs to not read trendy should be a constant throughout all your spaces."

Use Trends in Less Permanent Ways

The key to creating a space that feels both fresh and timeless is in the way you incorporate trends. Instead of taking the trendy route for an expensive kitchen remodel or investing in the new 'it' sofa that doesn't have any lasting power, take Tract's expert advice for a more subtle and affordable way to incorporate trendy pieces. "Lean into trends with less permanent situations such as pillows, throws, and accessories," she says. "It will allow you to keep up with the trends and update them for more current ones in the future."

Invest in Timeless Pieces

When it comes to which pieces are worth investing in, Tract suggests splurging on items you'll use for years. "Think of sofas, rugs, tables, and light fixtures as items that should be timeless and everlasting," she says. These big ticket items are the pieces that typically anchor a room and set the tone for other layers such as window treatments, wall decor, and decorative accents. They're also the pieces that stay in place throughout the changing seasons and holidays, so going for a timeless aesthetic is key.

"Actual style should be functional, practical, and timeless," Tract says, pointing out the importance of investing in good quality items that are durable. "Make sure that if you love white sofas, the fabric is durable and will withstand the test of time," she says.

Don't Rush the Decorating Process

Another way to create a home that's timeless and reflects your personal style is to not rush the decorating process. Fleeting trends can feel overwhelming and create pressure to quickly implement them so your home stays current. But instead of giving into the pressure to keep up with whatever is currently in style, take your time and collect furniture, artwork, and decorative textiles that speak to you.

An interior that has been collected over time feels lived-in, warm, inviting, and uniquely personal. If you've moved multiple times, you'll notice the pieces that have followed you to every new home—those are the timeless items that have a lasting presence and personal value. They form the perfect base you can layer with more trendy pieces to refresh and recycle the things you've owned for years.

Add Personal Touches

"Ultimately, the design style is a reflection of you and your space and how you choose to live in it," Tract says. One of the pitfalls of falling in the trend trap is that it can void your home of all personality and character. To avoid a generic-looking space, implement personal touches that tell your story. Hang a painting you found while traveling, display your grandmother's china, or reupholster a vintage chair you found at a flea market to infuse rooms with personality.

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Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.

2024-02-24T10:35:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd