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Whether your goal is to create a timeless aesthetic for your home or you want a unique design element to bedazzle your space, staying up to date on design trends can be a great way to tap into inspiration.
Knowing the trends doesn't mean you have to follow them—studying the latest home design styles can help you unleash your creativity and hone your style, whether or not you implement those trends in your space. Understanding trends can also help you decide which design upgrades are worth investing in and which fads are likely to fade fast.
Keep reading for tips on where to learn about design trends and find inspiration, whether you're scrolling your phone, reading magazines or looking to connect with design experts in your hometown.
1. Interior Design Blogs & Websites
If you follow interior design trends or love snooping through stylish homes (no judgment!), there's a whole world of blogs and websites out there tracking the latest looks, spotlighting real spaces and dishing out design tips.
On Apartment Therapy, for example, you can browse photos by room (kitchen, outdoor space, living room, etc.), by style (midcentury, boho, etc.) or even by color. At Architectural Digest, the Open Door series takes you on exclusive video tours of celebrities' homes.
Tip: Let yourself fall down the rabbit hole to find home bloggers whose style matches your own. With more than 600 million blogs on the internet, the number of design blogs is nearly endless—and a little overwhelming. If you find a blogger whose content you enjoy, see if they feature other creators with a similar aesthetic. Many bloggers invite expert guest contributors, which can help you expand your horizons.
2. Social Media Platforms
You found your new favorite design blogger, and you're obsessed with her whimsical home decor. Next stop: following on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok or wherever you spend time online.
After all, social media platforms can be another avenue for studying trends and discovering content creators with design sensibilities that appeal to you.
And it's not just a place to follow bloggers and content creators. You can also join the conversation—or at least lurk on it—on forums and sites like Reddit. Browse subreddits like r/InteriorDesign, or go deeper into an aesthetic that interests you on subs like r/Mid_Century.
Tip: If your news feed feels stale with updates from the same circle of influencers and creators, look for design hashtags to find inspiration beyond your bubble. The most popular hashtags are always changing, so try clicking different ones that interest you in other posts you scroll past (like #kitchendecor or #bedroominspo). Or head to a general hashtag like #interiordesign to scroll through what other people are sharing.
3. Home Improvement and Furniture Retailers
Following your favorite retailers and subscribing to their catalogs isn't just a smart way to score coupons or learn about sales—it can also help you keep an eye on design trends. Many home goods and furniture stores have blogs with design tips, like The Frame by Crate & Barrel. Others, like West Elm, offer an ideas and advice section broken down by room so you can gather inspiration for your next design project.
In addition, many retailers send seasonal lookbooks and catalogs that showcase the latest trends. Taking a stroll through a showroom can also help you get your creative design juices flowing as you walk among different combinations of colors, patterns and fabrics.
Tip: Upmarket retailers usually share their catalogs for free. So even if their wares aren't in your budget, a browse through the lookbook can still be one of the easiest ways to learn about the latest trends. Retailers often lead or echo major trend shifts to keep customers coming back.
4. Magazines and Print Media (Yes, Still!)
Sometimes the best design inspo is analog. The simple act of picking up a magazine and reading it with a cup of coffee might inspire you in a different way than scrolling on your phone or laptop (although most magazines offer virtual subscriptions, too). With curated design sections, home and lifestyle magazines can be a wonderful source of inspiration—and a welcome reprieve from screen time.
If you live in a city or large metro area, look for local lifestyle magazines that showcase nearby homes and highlight the work of local design firms and contractors. This can be especially useful if you're looking for local contractors to tackle a project. Wherever you live, regional and national titles like Southern Living, Midwest Living and House Beautiful often highlight design trends and real homes across their pages.
Tip: Don't limit yourself to periodicals that focus solely on home design. Your favorite monthly mag may also feature home design articles—think ELLE Decor, Vogue or even the home and garden section of your local newspaper. If you have trouble finding relevant titles in print, check online: Many magazines and newspapers have significantly reduced (or eliminated) their print operations in recent years but continue to cover the trends in online articles.
5. Design Shows and Exhibitions
Make an event out of your search for design inspo by heading to a furniture fair, design week or home expo in your area. Many remodeling companies, home builders and neighborhoods organize home tours—you might see them advertised as a Parade of Homes—to showcase new-build homes, remodeled homes and immaculately preserved historic properties.
Tip: If you're curious about specific trends, many industry events bring together design professionals for trade shows and conferences. Not all of these events are open to the public, however. Check out trade magazines like Furniture World and Interior Design to find coverage of major events and a recap of trends.
6. TV and Streaming Content
There are more home renovation shows on TV than the average person can keep up with weekly. From classics like “This Old House" to a plethora of home-flipping shows on channels like HGTV and Magnolia Network, shows about home design and renovation are available on just about any streaming service. You can also find tons of TV shows covering specific niches: Think cabin renovations, tiny house design and competition shows that pit popular design personalities against each other.
Aside from providing entertainment, these shows can help you keep up with design trends. Watching a show also lets you see the functionality of a space in action instead of just looking at a two-dimensional picture on a blog or in a magazine.
Tip: On the go? Many popular home design influencers and personalities host podcasts where they discuss design and renovation projects and the latest trends. You can listen while you drive, cook or clean.
7. Professional Designers and Local Showrooms
Keeping up with design magazines, visiting a parade of homes, scrolling social media—it can become a lot of work. But there is a shortcut to staying up on the trends: meeting with a professional interior designer.
Consulting a pro can be one of the best ways to understand which trends are bubbling up before they go mainstream. Professionals stay on the pulse of design trends and can provide expert insight on how to turn a trendy idea into a practical reality for your own space.
Many designers also have access to showrooms where you can see different materials and designs in person to decide which trends speak to you. Ask friends and neighbors for designer recommendations, or search for local professionals using online marketplaces like Houzz.
Tip: If you don't have the budget to work with a local interior designer, some large retailers like Ethan Allen, IKEA and CB2 offer complimentary design services, either in person or virtually.
Turn Inspiration Into Action
It's never been easier to learn about design trends and find inspiration while browsing your phone, listening to a podcast or pulling up your favorite home show. But in-person events, print magazines, retail stores and professional designers are still excellent resources and can help you take your trendy vision from concept to reality.
Ultimately, trends are tools, not rules. Understanding the trends doesn't mean you have to follow them. With the tips above, you can find inspiration just about anywhere—and take it or leave it as you see fit.
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READ MORE: 11 Sustainable Living Decorating Trends for Your Home
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