The topic of interior design trends came to mind as I recently received an email talking about the ‘new pretty’ trend. And I’d never heard of it. It might be because I’m not hanging out on TikTok.
How about ‘bookshelf wealth’, ‘cottage core’ or ‘the unexpected red’ theory?
Confession time. I was once asked to contribute to an article on ‘dopamine decor’ (alongside Sophie Robinson no less!) and I had to have a quick google to make sure I knew what it was before I was able to give my expert advice. You can read the article here if you’re curious.
Some trends become more established in main stream design – whilst others come and go like the latest dance craze.
Interior Designers fall into two camps – those who have a ‘house’ style and those who design for whatever aesthetic their client wants. Even though most interior designers I know aren’t trend lead in designing for their clients – I wonder, is it important to know about trends?
This article explores trend led interior design and the difference between trends and more established design genres. And offers a framework for navigating both with confidence.
Plus, should interior designers be trend led, or chart their own course? And what about if a client asks you to design based on a trend they’ve seen?
Interior design trend or design language: What’s the difference?
When I studied interior design we were taught about different styles and periods of design. These are what I would consider more enduring design languages. Styles that tend to cycle, evolve, and layer well over decades.
Some of my favourite enduring styles
These are the kinds of design languages most interior designers are introduced to during formal training.
Mid-Century Modern
Clean lines, organic curves, functional forms, warm woods, and restrained ornamentation. Still one of the most commercially successful and adaptable styles ever.
Why it lasts: Timeless proportions + comfort + flexibility across budgets and homes.
Art Deco
Geometric patterning, symmetry, rich materials, and a sense of glamour without fussiness.
Why it lasts: It delivers drama in a structured, architectural way. It’s easy to reference subtly or go all-in.
Bauhaus/Modernist
Form follows function. Minimal ornamentation, honest materials, strong geometry.
Why it lasts: This movement underpins most contemporary design logic.
Scandinavian
Light-filled spaces, pale woods, simplicity, craftsmanship, and human-centered design.
Why it lasts: Balances warmth and minimalism better than almost any other style.
Traditional (European & American)
Rooted in classical architecture, symmetry, and proportion. Includes Georgian, Colonial, Federal, and English country influences.
Why it lasts: It evolves rather than disappears. It’s often rebranded as “updated traditional” or “new classic.”
French Classical/Rococo/Neoclassical
Ornate detailing, plasterwork, curves, gilding, and elegance.
Why it lasts: Designers continually reinterpret these elements in lighter, edited ways.
Craftsman/Arts & Crafts
Exposed joinery, built-ins, natural materials, and hand-crafted feeling.
Why it lasts: Honest construction and materiality never go out of style.
Industrial
Raw finishes, exposed structure, metal, brick, concrete, utilitarian forms.
Why it lasts: Functions as a material language that layers easily with other styles. Gives a ‘masculine’ edge.
Transitional
A hybrid of traditional and contemporary. This has classic bones with cleaner lines.
Why it lasts: Built specifically to evolve with time and taste.
What about trends then?
Interior design trends are usually short-term expressions of colour, pattern, finish, or styling rather than entirely new ways of designing spaces.
Most trends sit at the surface level: paint colours, materials, decorative motifs, or styling approaches. They rarely change the fundamental principles of good design such as proportion, balance, circulation, light, and functionality.
Social media doesn’t create most trends – it amplifies them and shortens their perceived lifespan. Most originate from deeper industry sources such as fashion, product design, architecture, manufacturing, and cultural shifts.
By the time a trend reaches TikTok, it’s often already been developing quietly for years, but they do seem to come thick and fast!
Is a trend actually new?
Many so-called “new” trends are simply fresh interpretations of long-standing design languages.
For example, a trend might repackage mid-century forms with new colours, or traditional detailing with simplified lines. The name may be new, but the design DNA is familiar.
Assessing an Interior design trend
When you hear about a trend, ask yourself:
- Is this a colour trend?
- A material trend?
- A pattern or motif trend?
- A styling trend?
- Or a structural / spatial trend?
The closer a trend sits to styling and decoration, the easier it is to experiment with and change later. These are ideal places to have fun, knowing items can be updated with minimal waste and cost.
The closer it sits to structure and fixed finishes, the more carefully it should be considered. This is where interior designers bring enormous value: helping clients decide where to express a trend and how much of it to use (or pass on!).
Clients and interior design trends
If these interior design trends are circulating, is it our job as Interior Designers to at least have an awareness of them, so that we can speak with authority to our clients? Or do we just ignore them?
How do you feel when a client mentions a trend you’ve never heard of? Or asks you to include it within a scheme? These moments can feel uncomfortable, but they’re also opportunities for deeper conversation.
Keeping up with Interior Design trends
- Read as much as you can, visit events and exhibitions and be open to the trends that you see around you.
- Consider what a trend really is. Often it’s just a twist or re-imagining of an enduring style.
- If a client asks you about a trend – be open and inquisitive. As a designer you need to understand what it is about a trend that appeals to your client.
- Don’t panic if you haven’t heard of a trend – it’s likely just a fancy new term for something you’ve been doing intuitively for years!
I don’t think we have to pretend to know everything when we work with our clients. Open, honest communication and transparency are always the best options. And the more questions you ask, the more you can really understand what your client is hoping to achieve from working with you.
Prompts to help you answer questions on trends
Here are some question prompts that may help (if a client wants to talk trends):
- Tell me more about this trend and what you love about it.
- How do you imagine this trend being used in your home?
- Have you seen this trend in a physical space – and if yes, how did you feel in the space and what about that appealed to you?
- What does this trend mean to you? Can you explain what you like about it?
- Which spaces in your home do you think this trend would work for, and why?
When a client mentions a trend, they’re rarely asking for a literal copy. More often, they’re expressing a feeling they want: cosy, bold, calm, playful, elegant, relaxed, etc.
The role of the interior designer is to translate that emotional intent into a design solution that will still feel good long after the trend name disappears.
Are Interior Design trends good or bad?
Trends aren’t inherently good or bad. They can be useful indicators of where collective taste is moving, what clients are being exposed to, and what feels culturally relevant right now.
Used thoughtfully, trends can add freshness and energy to a scheme. Used blindly, they can quickly date a space.
Overall it’s good if clients are interested in design and see colours, patterns, styles and trends that they gravitate towards. It gives you a really good starting point for design conversations and potentially a strong anchor for your scheme.
The key element for me is in UNDERSTANDING your client and their interest in any trend – is it a genuine love or a passing fad and wanting to be ‘up to date’ and ‘on trend’. As we all know, good interior design never goes out of fashion.
Interior Design trends vs Timeless Styles: What designers really need to know in summary
Are interior design trends important?
Trends aren’t essential, but awareness helps designers understand what clients are seeing and responding to.
Should interior designers follow trends?
Most successful designers use trends selectively while relying on timeless design principles.
What’s the difference between a design style and a trend?
A design style is a long-standing visual language with historical roots. A trend is a short-term expression, often focused on colour, finish, or styling.
Interior designers don’t need to chase trends, they need to understand people. Whilst trends will always change, good design principles and human needs do not.
Interested in trends? You might want to check out this article on Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 or 2025
A few ways I can help, depending on what you need right now:
I’m Lisa Honiball, Business Coach & Mentor. I provide calm business guidance to established Interior Designers.
Not sure where to start?
Book a free Clarity Call and we’ll quickly figure out what’s going on in your business and what kind of support will help most.
Need to fix or move forward on one specific area?
A Power Hour gives you focused 1:1 time to get unstuck, make decisions, and leave with a clear plan.
Want your income to feel more consistent and predictable?
Sales Lab shows you what’s really driving your enquiries and client wins, so you can focus on what works, drop what doesn’t, and build a steadier flow of client projects & income.
Feel like you’re working hard but not seeing the results?
The CALM Reset is a six-session private coaching experience to realign your business, build momentum, and move forward without burnout.
