How to Safely and Confidently Follow Trends

“Trending” is there any word other you hear more often than you’d like? Maybe the word laundry? Or taxes? Trends are always changing, always in our faces; at our fingertips, and constantly changing the way we feel and act. Each year Top Trends are revealed, others replaced and dismissed. And no sooner than the grout on your white subway tile backsplash has dried, is someone else saying it’s no longer “in” (that’s me in the back of the room with a hood and shades on cautiously agreeing). It’s frustrating to keep track of, and the amount of pressure we put ourselves under to always keep up, to toss out perfectly good things to spend money buying the next new version…I don’t need to explain how that feels. A few blog posts ago, I wrote about styling a NEW traditional home, and I’ve hated everything in my house ever since. I get it. It’s the pits. I can’t say I love what kind of emotional pressure we put ourselves under when it comes to trends, but as a designer, I see the importance and want to share my two cents on how to safely and confidently follow design trends.

Don’t be like the rest of them, darling

Remember when dad said, “if everyone else was jumping off a cliff, would you jump too?” He was on to something there. Spending $500 on imported crap from Hobby Lobby only to figure out a couple months later that you really AREN’T into word signs after all, is the same bonehead move ole dad was referring to. Next time you are perusing the aisles of your favorite mass produced home decor store ask yourself why you want what you threw in your cart. Is it because you saw that same vase at a friends house and it looked so cute that you just HAD to have one? Would it mean more to you to have a cooler vase, one that NO ONE else had? If you are redoing the master bath and you gravitate towards white subway at the home improvement store is it because that is truly what YOU love or did you land on it because it’s familiar? As a designer it is my duty to provide clients with designs that balance current styles with what truly represents the people that inhabit the home. There’s only one you. It’s a delicate balance to create, but the magic is in the details.

Choose wisely

The best way to safely and confidently follow a design trend, is with care and intention. Once you’ve figured out which design trends speak directly to you, figure out which of those trends you could implement in your home that will bring you the most joy and the least catastrophe whether you decide to live in this space the rest of your life or sell in a couple years. The easiest way to do this is to bring in your favorite trends in teeny tiny small ways. In love with black faucets? Go for it. Desperate for a bold wallpaper? Do it. Want to switch out all the windows for black ones…hold the phone. Black windows are definitely stunning, but holy heck that’s a big bite to take that might leave a bad taste in your mouth in the next decade. Remember that sticking faux stone over brick (my husband calls it lick and stick) was a hot thing not all that long ago, and now…meh. Decide what is most important to you, learn where you can be happy with what you have and what changes can pay off in the long run.

Trust an expert

If you’re thinking about making some home updates, you can’t go wrong with hiring an expert like a designer. But, don’t just call anyone in the Yellow Pages (ha…talk about a dead trend). It’s so important to find someone who’s style aligns with yours. Any designer can do ANY style, but be cautious of a professional who’s portfolio seems all over the board. Of course the you, the client, gets to make the final decisions when it comes to your home, but what a bummer would it be if your designer didn’t help you make informed decisions on where to apply trends, where to invest your money, and where to err on the side of “old news”. Find a designer who will politely walk you away from the edge of bad decision cliff.

How Stauffer Design Co. can Help!

Stauffer Design Co. can help you safely and confidently follow design trends in your home. Whether you have all the new tile for your master bathroom in your “shopping cart” and you just want someone to give you a thumbs up or you are at square one and you want a professional to handle all the design decisions, I can help you with your project. Here are a couple of services I offer that you can and most certainly should take advantage of:

Full Service Design: The whole enchilada. No matter how big or small your project, if you’re too busy or overwhelmed to make the best decisions when it comes to updating your home while safely and confidently following design trends, you’re my kind of client. I’m happy to help!

Finish Selection: If you’re making updates to your home and you just need help with choosing the right finishes like countertops, hardware, flooring, etc. This is a service you should check out.

Designer Consulting: You’ve got the ideas and the merchandise in your cart, but you’d sure love an expert to give you feed back. This 90 minute appointment gives you ample time to ask your laundry list of questions and get the pat on the back (or the knock in the head) that you’re looking for.

Book a Free Discovery Call

If you’re not sure how to safely and confidently follow design trends when it comes to making changes in your home, but you’re not sure if you need a designer to pull the trigger, let’s chat about it. Book an appointment below to talk to me (free of charge) for 20 minutes and I’ll help you get on your way whether we work together or not.