Style and design trends are fluid and are constantly evolving. When choosing finishes for your home, it’s important to select options that offer the most value and will stand the test of time before becoming outdated. Generally, heavily trend-driven finishes with limited timeless appeal become outdated the fastest. Below are finishes that are prone to fleeting trends and should be considered very carefully before making a costly decision.
Kitchen
Kitchens are prone to becoming dated due to frequent shifts in style preferences. Design choices for cabinets, countertops, metal finishes, hardware, backsplash and flooring can contribute to an overall out-of-style look. The current shaker cabinet door remains a style constant due to its classic, simple design and how well it works with various kitchen styles.
Colour
Homeowners tend to make decisions on the colour of their rooms based on what’s currently popular. When it comes to paint, colour choice is not that consequential because it’s easy to change. Over the years, preferred neutrals have changed from beige to grey and are now swinging back to beige again.
Wood tones
The colour you choose for wood or wood-look flooring may be a current popular trend but it runs the risk of looking dated in five years. The same can be said for wood cabinetry and wood wall panels. Favoured wood tone trends bounce between dark and light tones so choosing a classic wood tone somewhere in the middle may give you more lasting appeal.
Tile
It’s very tempting to choose a current and trendy tile for a kitchen backsplash, a bathroom or for flooring. Instead, opt for classic, neutral colours and patterns. Avoid overly decorated designs and bold colours.
Lighting
Stay away from light fixtures that are associated with a specific, short-lived material or finish trend. Choose fixtures with timeless, artistic designs and made from quality, versatile finishes.
Impractical function
Sometimes popular trends are impractical. When form outweighs function, its inconvenience makes it unpopular quickly. Interior finishes and decor features that are difficult to clean fall into this category.
