If your home's walls are still sporting shiplap or a bold accent colour, you might be living in a design time capsule. Recent research reveals that interior design trends now have an average lifespan of just 10 months.
The Fleeting Nature of Home Decor
The experts at Level Frames, an online custom framing service, arrived at this conclusion after analyzing Google search data and the last five annual Pinterest Trend Reports. Their study, which charted trend cycles over the previous two decades, confirms how quickly today's 'in' look becomes tomorrow's design faux pas.
"As with any trend, interior design styles can lose impact when overdone," says Danielle Castagna, an interior design expert for the company. "From panelling to accent walls, what once felt like a fresh home upgrade can quickly start to look dated."
Castagna suggests a more sustainable and flexible way to refresh your living space: art. She has identified three specific wall trends that have overstayed their welcome and provides creative, art-focused solutions to take their place.
1. Swap Wall Panelling for Large Statement Art
Wall panelling, in its many forms like shiplap and wainscotting, has been celebrated for adding textural interest. However, its installation is often a costly and permanent commitment.
"Wall panelling has dominated interior design trends in recent years, to the point of being completely overdone," Castagna states. "This style draws your eye and makes the wall a big statement in the room. You can achieve the same impact with a fresher look by hanging a single large statement piece of art, or even multi-panel artwork to fill the span of a wider space."
The key advantage? Unlike permanent wall panelling, artwork is simple to swap out or reframe for an instant style update without any construction required.
2. Replace Accent Walls with Seasonal Art
The accent wall, a major player in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has seen a resurgence. Yet, a randomly painted wall can often look more haphazard than retro-chic.
"Bold accent walls can act as a strong focal point and set the tone of a room, but once the colour or pattern feels dated, it draws attention for all the wrong reasons," explains Castagna.
Her solution is both practical and dynamic: a seasonal art rotation. This approach allows homeowners to be flexible and align their decor with the changing seasons. You can introduce new styles, moods, and colours without ever picking up a paintbrush or a wallpaper stripper.
3. Ditch Plain Walls for a Curated Gallery
The minimalist aesthetic, with its bare, all-white walls, dominated the past decade. However, current trends are shifting towards cozier, more personalized styles like maximalism and dopamine decor.
"Bare walls with no accessories can leave a space feeling unfinished," says Castagna. "Instead, a carefully curated gallery wall instantly adds personality and interest to a room."
This style encourages creativity, allowing you to incorporate different frame sizes, orientations, colours, and textures. You can mix photographs, posters, and other elements to inject your unique personality into your home. Best of all, a gallery wall is an evergreen design choice that can grow and evolve with your tastes over time.
Embrace Flexible and Personal Decor
The overarching message from the research is clear: in the fast-moving world of interior design, flexibility is paramount. Committing to permanent structural trends like panelling or paint can lock you into a dated look. Opting for art, whether it's a single large statement piece, a seasonally rotating collection, or an eclectic gallery wall, offers a sustainable and personal path to a beautiful home that can adapt as quickly as the trends do.
