Here at Elizabeth Erin Designs, we stay up to date with the current trends and know what design elements have a truly timeless feel or are simply fast trends. We also know how to easily spot a tired or dated trend. After all, if a specific design element is seen in every home, what is the fun in that? Here are three trends that we have become totally tired of in the past few months, and some new ideas to take their place.
1. Shiplap
(Image from Pixabay: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/modern-living-room-interior- interior-mockup-3d-render-gm1214716492- 353536988?utm_source=pixabay&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=SRP_image_sponsor ed&referrer_url=http%3A//pixabay.com/images/search/shiplap/&utm_term=shiplap)
Shiplap has seen its days come and go. While it was a super popular design choice for adding a simple spruce-up to an otherwise unremarkable wall, the days of shiplap are coming to an end. This trend blew up when farmhouse and country style homes were all the rage thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines from HGTV’s “Fixer Upper”. It seems like an easy DIY task that adds visual interest to any space, but with time, the trend really has become way too overdone. There are so many new builds out there that have integrated this feature into living room walls or above the fireplace, and quite frankly, we’re tired of seeing it. Yes, shiplap does have its place in certain styles of homes, but the vast majority will not benefit from the look. Instead, we suggest moving on to creative wallpapers to bring interest to your walls.
(Images from York Wallcoverings: https://www.yorkwallcoverings.com/a-maze-unpasted- wallpaper & https://www.yorkwallcoverings.com/linden-flower-premium-peel-and-stick- wallpaper)
Wallpaper has been making a serious comeback in the past couple of years and we suspect this feature will stay in homes for years to come. Wallpaper comes in such a huge variety of prints and styles that you can find one that is perfect for absolutely any space. When using wallpaper, make sure to find something that doesn’t overpower the space, but adds a refreshing touch. Check out these two wallpapers that we are loving from York Wallcoverings. With the amount of style these add to your space, you’ll never have to think about using shiplap again!
2. Oak colored trim and floors
Nowadays, we are all familiar with the struggle of making oak trim and flooring work with our new interiors. That orangey tint largely given off by oak trim is very hard to integrate into a modern design. Most of the time, a simple paint or staining job will do the trick, but that can be time consuming and difficult for a busy DIY homeowner. So instead of painting over it, many people simply leave their oak colored materials and attempt to work with them. This definitely isn’t a new trend, but it is one that has been around for a very long time and doesn’t seem to ever go away. Today, we’d suggest choosing a less saturated wood or finding a stain that neutralizes those orange tones.
(Images from Shaw Floors: https://shawfloors.com/flooring/hardwood/details/inspirations- maple-212sa/vista & https://shawfloors.com/flooring/hardwood/details/landmark-walnut- sw599/washington )
On the left, maple hardwood flooring from Shaw Floors is a beautiful light alternative to oak floors. If you prefer a darker floor, check out the walnut flooring on the right. Don’t get me wrong, oak does have its place if you’re wanting that rustic mountain cabin look in your home, however for the majority of projects, it automatically dates the space. The flooring above is less saturated and therefore much easier to work with and integrate into a modern design, creating a truly beautiful interior! If you already have oak floors and are wanting a change, try staining the floors with a stain such as Minwax Weathered Oak which neutralizes the colors a bit more. For the trim, try using Sherwin Williams 7005 Pure White paint.
3. Cookie Cutter Custom New Builds
(Image from Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/auSlGopmX4k)
As our population grows, and more and more people move to the suburbs, new neighborhoods are popping up everywhere. Most of the time, these neighborhoods are filled with typical “cookie cutter” houses. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it basically means all of the houses look the same with very little variation in color, form, or layout, almost like copying and pasting a whole house. These can often be customized by the homeowner, but much of the house remains within the same style on the exterior. While some believe that this creates a beautiful, cohesive neighborhood, it really takes away all visual interest. The look becomes old very fast. And after all, would you really want a house that looks exactly like your neighbor’s? If you’re looking to build your next home, we’d suggest working with a builder who would create a house unique to you and your design style.
The 2019 show home EED had a hand in designing is a great example of a unique build. Instead of following a “cookie cutter” template for a home, the whole build was custom and stood out amongst the neighboring homes. It has a unique exterior that captures attention and adds interest to the neighborhood. We, along with many other design professionals, would love to see the resurgence of homes with truly unique interior layouts and exteriors.
So keep these tips in mind when updating or customizing your new home and avoid these tired home trends. If you need a little help, feel free to reach out to Elizabeth Erin Designs and our designers would be glad to assist you in any way we can!
We are blessed to employee some of the best up and coming interior designers in training! This blog was written by Aimee Wallner, Jr. at ISU Interior Design Program and edited by Jodi Peterman. Fantastic job Aimee!
