Not all trends are created equal. Some become timeless while others get left in the past—for better or worse. Not sure which current design trend is destined for classic status, and which will go the way of popcorn ceilings? Here’s what four New Jersey interior designers say:
Ellie Mroz, Ellie Mroz Design Services, Westfield
Love it: “I love the trend of mixing and matching different styles, textures and colors. It lets us create personalized, curated spaces for our clients. Think dining rooms with a table of one texture and color, guest chairs of a coordinating but distinct design and host end chairs upholstered in a custom fabric that brings it all together. It allows our homeowners to express their individuality and creates a timeless, fresh and inviting space.”
Leave it: “Matching furniture sets. These limit the uniqueness of the home, and restrict designers’ flexing of their creative muscle. This mode of designing is cookie-cutter and lacks personality. I strive to infuse my team’s aesthetic and the homeowner’s unique tastes into every room—that can’t happen with a ‘five pieces included in the set’ approach.”
Jennifer Watty, Jennifer Watty Interiors, Westfield
Love it: “I’m loving the trend of having a theme for your home. For instance, I am currently working on a black-and-white house, a British country farmhouse and a pink-and-white beach house. Having a theme is so much fun, and I feel it always works—it tells a story, and clients, along with designers, are more passionate about doing it.”
Leave it: “I am not interested in palettes that are just gray, gray and more gray. I am also very tired of the sectional sofa. In my opinion, a sectional doesn’t offer any more seating than proper sofas and chairs, and those offer more room to create interesting spaces.”
Swati Goorha, Swati Goorha Designs, New Providence
Love it: “Nature is the most amazing healer, and biophilic design integrates natural elements into living spaces to enhance well-being and connectivity with nature. This approach uses natural materials, such as wood and stone, along with abundant greenery to create soothing environments. Large windows and skylights are incorporated to maximize natural light. Water features, like indoor fountains, add a calming auditory experience. The trend also emphasizes the use of organic shapes and patterns that mimic nature.”
Leave it: “I am over farmhouse-style anything, white boucle and the mass-market replicas of furniture from celebrity homes. The market is saturated with these trends, and they quickly lose their charm and contribute to unsustainable consumer habits. It’s far more rewarding to invest in original, well-crafted pieces that stand the test of time. I always encourage my clients to choose originality and sustainability over fleeting trends to help reduce landfill waste and promote a more mindful approach to interior design.”
Sarah Elizabeth, Sarah Elizabeth Design, Montclair
Love it: “I am really loving that earth tones in interiors are still going strong, and they are being paired with organic textures and finishes. It started with the shades of pink that were everywhere a few years back, which naturally progressed into terracotta and flesh tones. You see them a lot of in paint colors and upholstery, as they lend a sense of calm to a space. Clients want more of this earthy feeling, and we achieve it by using rich, textured surfaces like plaster wall treatments, as well as bringing the outside in with custom wood pieces that lend a handmade feel and ground a room.”
Leave it: “I hope we can move away from ‘fast furniture’ made by big-box stores and replace it with upcycled or vintage furniture. Mixing new pieces with a few special pieces that have been passed down to you, or even just interestingly shaped items you found at a vintage dealer or an auction house, is better for the environment. These pieces are also made to last.”
What design trends can you not get enough of? Let us know on Instagram @njhomemag!