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Living Matters: Experts aren’t only ones with expertise when it comes to design trends

At this time of year, we’re bombarded with new year trends. It’s enormous in home decor. Glance at the December cover of any decorating mag, and you can’t help but be slammed with deadlines screaming about what’s hot for 2020. Colours. Furnishings.
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What will this year's home decor trends have in store?

At this time of year, we’re bombarded with new year trends.

It’s enormous in home decor. Glance at the December cover of any decorating mag, and you can’t help but be slammed with deadlines screaming about what’s hot for 2020. Colours. Furnishings. Accessories. Lighting. Textures.

You name it, it’s all covered.

I do not know how these trends are determined, but some year, I’d love to be on board and sit among the “experts.”

“OK,” the chairperson might begin. “Let’s start with the overall look in the bedroom. What do we see as trending?”

“Pastels?” someone might suggest.

“Pastels, it is,” the chair would reply, nodding.

“Faux fur?” another would suggest. “Nature-inspired wallpaper? Muted sconces?”

“Excellent,” the chair would say, jotting down the notes.

“How about pianos?” I might imagine myself saying.

Everyone would look up from their tablets and stare at me.

“Why not?” I’d say. “Who’s to say pianos can’t be trending in the bedroom?”

Who’s to say, indeed? In fact, who’s to say that Valentine decor can’t be trending in the bedroom 24/7 — you know, just to amp up the romance quotient?

Who’s to say that the 2020 colour of the year will not be not cranberry truffle, passion fire or dusky heights, but something as simple as red? Come on. Red is good.

Who’s to say that the pared-down, Marie Kondo look should be trending, year after year after boring old year? I mean, heavens, can’t hoarding be hot, at least once in a blue moon? Heck, I’d be so incredibly ahead of the curve.

I don’t know why the “experts” think they should have the last say when it comes to trends in home decor. After all, I ought to be permitted a suggestion or two.

I’d like to suggest, oh, that the iron is out and the wrinkled look is in, if for no other reason than it’s a pain to press the blouses.

Same with the vacuum. The coming trend for the coming year? Ditch the Hoover! Crumbs on the carpet are cool, I say!

And exterior looks that are coming on trend? Why not moss on the roof and leaves in the eaves? I’m pretty sure those have never been mentioned.

But, of course, the “experts” would never go for either moss or wrinkles. No, the “experts”, whoever they are, feel compelled to go with other things.

Whatever. They can have their passion fire. I plan to go with red.