Using decoration trends without regretting them

Where trends belong

Use trends on things that are cheap and easy to replace: cushions, throws, paint on one wall, small accessories, a lamp, plants and pots.

Where to be careful

Choose timeless options for what is expensive or hard to change: kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, large sofas and built-in joinery. A trendy tile can date a bathroom quickly.

Trend or lasting change?

• Lasting changes usually solve a real problem — better light, more storage, easier cleaning, lower energy use.
• Short-lived trends are usually about one colour, one shape or one pattern appearing everywhere at once.

A simple test

Ask: would I still choose this if nobody else had it? If the answer is yes, it is probably your taste, not just a trend.

Tools for this

• Style guide
• Colour palette