Timeless vs. Trendy: How to Tell the Difference
Over the past decade of designing luxury homes, I've made timeless design my priority.
While this concept comes easy to me, I have found that with so much inspiration online, it can be hard to tell the difference between what you genuinely love, what's trending right now, and what you think you "should" love. It’s not about completely avoiding what's current. It's about knowing where to invest for longevity and where you have freedom to play with trends.
Here's how to know the difference between timeless and trendy interiors.
Trendy Interiors
If you are seeing a lot of something, chances are it’s trending which means it has an could expiration date. Another symptom of a trend is taking into consideration if its a reaction to something from the past. For example, everyone is loving dark and moody kitchens right now, but 10 years ago stark white kitchens were everywhere. Or how accent walls were in every home and now color drenching is the the trend.
Trendy isn’t bad, it just means temporarily popular. And when you're investing in a custom home or renovation, temporary means you'll be wanting to change it. You don’t want to be in the position where you want to change everything in 3-5 years when it no longer feels right.
There is a big difference between “trending” and “trendy.” Something classic like checkerboard floors is trending, meaning its getting more attention than usual, but it will never go out of style. Something becomes “trendy” when it can be dated to a specific era, think chevron or stark white shaker kitchen cabinets.
Timeless Interiors
Timeless design is all about using high quality materials, shapes, and colors that have been used for centuries. Here are some of my favorites:
Enduring materials: Marble, oak, linen, brass. These are elements that have been beautiful for centuries and will continue to be. They don't just age, they patina and get better with time.
Neutral foundations: This doesn't mean beige and boring. It means color palettes that are calm and sophisticated. Think warm whites, earth tones, natural wood tones, foundations that let you layer in personality and colors you love.
Intentional details: Thoughtful architectural touches that reflect craftsmanship and care. Custom millwork. Thoughtful trim. Details that add character without screaming for attention.
Quality over quantity: Investing in well-crafted pieces that last decades, not seasons. A custom sofa with a hardwood frame, eight-way hand-tied springs, and premium upholstery will outlive ten trendy sectionals from a big-box store.
Adaptability: Spaces designed to evolve with you, not require a gut renovation when your life changes. Rooms that can shift purpose as you need them to without ripping everything out and starting over.
We've talked before about our favorite timeless materials, which you can read about here.
How to Tell the Difference?
Still not sure if something is timeless or just trendy? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Has this been beautiful for at least 50 years?
If yes, it's probably timeless. Marble countertops? Timeless. Checkerboard rugs? Trendy.
2. Am I seeing this all over Instagram and Pinterest?
If it's everywhere online right now, that's a sign it might be a passing trend rather than a timeless choice. The internet is great for inspiration, but make sure you're not just copying what everyone else is doing.
3. Am I choosing this because I genuinely love it, or because I saw it everywhere this year?
Be honest with yourself. If the answer is the latter, give it six months and see if you still want it.
4. Can something be trendy but still work for my home?
Yes! Think about 2015 when shiplap became popular and people were adding it everywhere. If your home's architecture and shiplap don't go together, that will quickly look dated. But shiplap itself is a traditional material that works beautifully in the right context. See below on the walls and ceiling of our Coeur d'Alene Lake House. The key is to choose something because it fits your home, not because it's popular right now.
Where Trends Can Play
Use trends in: throw pillows, art, paint
Build timeless foundations in: tile, countertops, cabinetry, architectural details
You want to use trending elements in small doses and not all over as this will prevent your home from feeling dated.
So there you have it, our unofficial guide to spotting the difference between timeless and trendy.
If you're planning a custom home or renovation and want to make sure you're investing in design that lasts (not just what's trending this year), let's chat. We'd love to help you create a home that feels exactly right, today and twenty years from now.
Thanks for reading!
Xo,
Lexi
