How to Know a Trend from a Fad and Why It Matters for Your Home

At the start of any home renovation project, I’m asked the typical series of questions by homeowners. Surprisingly, I’m asked this particular question quite often: “Is this a trend that will last or is it just trendy?”

When homeowners ask this, I completely understand where they’re coming from. They’re asking:

Is this just a fad or is this a trend built to last? Will I love it for a year, and then want to change it? Or will this make me happy for many, many years to come?

So much of this is personal preference. However, there are signs that homeowners should take note of to identify trends that aren’t just “trending” because people are momentarily interested in them. There are trends built to withstand the test of time.

I want to help you know which is which.

Trends vs. Fads

So, what’s the difference?

Fads happen in short bursts. Mass groups of the population follow the fad for a short period of time until the majority is bored of the concept and moves on. This is not to say that fads are completely bad. Far from it! I’m sure you can think of a few of your own favorite fads. Take collecting Beanie Babies, for instance.

Are you still into collecting those bean-filled critters? Probably not. Do you have fond memories of that time and regret nothing? I hope so!

Fads are only dangerous if used in areas of your life that are a little more permanent than a bag of Beanie Babies hidden in your attic. For example, if you indulge in an interior design fad, you may end up over it in a year or so. Investing in an interior design project, as you may know, can be costly. So, it’s a no-brainer that homeowners want to get it “right” the first time.

If you want more information on the expenses of an interior design project, read up on our blog:

• How to Get the Most Out of Your Design Project through Your Great Room

• Budget and Timeline Tips: Before Your Project Begins (Part 1)

• Budget and Timeline Tips: Before Your Project Begins (Part 2)

• A Designer’s Trade Secrets to Help You Save Money

Trends are something I’d rather put my money on as a homeowner. Some trends may fade, but that doesn’t mean they won’t resurface. What do you think Mid-century Modern means? We’re obsessed with the nostalgia of a mid-century American design style. You’ll find heaps of Pinterest boards on the trend.

Many describe a trend as a tool, such as this article from Colleen Dilenschneider, which grows in power and influence. Unlike a fad, which depends on the feeling of the moment, a trend depends on the support of the people over long periods of time.

A perfect example of this is wallpaper. There was a time when we rejected wallpaper as it reminded us of the gaudy patterns chosen by our grandparents. Time went on, fads came and went, and we inevitably ended up right back at the wallpaper trend. Now, some homeowners can’t get enough of it!

Yes, the patterns are slightly different than what you remember from grandma’s house. But the trend is still strong. That happens for a reason.

What Makes a Classic a Classic?

Think about a classic movie you love.

Consider its attributes: Is it in black and white? Are the visual effects simply laughable? Is the acting a little corny? Or are none of those things true, and this movie was a gem of its time?

Now, consider what you love about it: Does it remind you of a happy memory? Does the story keep you captivated all these years (maybe decades) later? Is the dialogue timeless, and you’re still quoting it to this day?

Last, ask yourself the big question: What makes that movie a classic?

Every question following the last should give you an idea of why that movie is considered a classic. A classic of anything is somewhat a time capsule for an era, a feeling, a style of creation. Classics are pockets of nostalgia － even for times we weren’t alive to see! Classics are comforting because we know they work, because they’ve worked for as long as they’ve been around.

As a homeowner, it’s important that you are able to identify classic designs as those are the trends built to last. You get extra points for predicting classic design trends as they’re forming!

No matter how the world changes, your home will remain relevant and to your liking if you select trends that remain classics.

How to: Identify Trends Built to Last and Fads Destined to Flop

When it comes to interior design, consider these elements about a style to determine whether or not it’s a trend built to last:

• Is the style accessible to large groups of the public? Accessibility is good! It doesn’t mean your home won’t be unique. It means that more and more homeowners will adopt the style, thus giving it the power to stick around.

• Can it be seamlessly paired with other styles? If you are looking for design styles that aren’t cook-cutter or similar to your neighbors, blending more than one style into a single space can help accomplish this. It also increases the chances of you loving it for a longer period of time.

• Is the style old? Normally, “old” is accompanied by “outdated” or “irrelevant.” Not in this case. In fact, you want to move toward styles that are older, that have their own history. Most trends, even if you’re just now hearing about them, have been around for a long time. That’s what makes them a trend, remember? Maybe they’ve evolved since their start, but the bones are still the same. Pay attention to this as it will indicate a strong trend worth investing in.

Avoid these fads and trends in the years to come to avoid designing a home you may only momentarily be in love with:

• Minimalism. There was a time and place for this. For most, however, it’s unrealistic to seemingly own nothing. Maximalism is still on the rise, and I fully support its adoption! There is freedom in not being reined in by the rules of Minimalism.

• Matching colors a little too closely. This actually takes away from the timeless look of your home. It’s restrictive and goes against the Maximalism wave we’re heading toward.

• All-white kitchens. There’s no doubt that an all-white kitchen is beautiful, and I’m sure it will continue to go strong in the following years. But strong trends are sustainable trends, and I tend to move away from an all-white anything. Not only is it a pain to clean, especially for one of the messiest rooms in the house, but it’s also not that interesting. Put some color in that space! Mix textures and patterns! Have fun with it!

Let me sign off here with the same message I started with:

This is all personal preference. If you don’t care about what others are doing, if you love a fad and know you will for many years － great! Indulge in that. The home is yours, no matter how the world around it tends to change.

At the end of the day, your home should be a reflection of you, and sometimes only you know what that means.