Design trends tend to come and go, but some stick around. We’ve rounded up six of our favorite decor elements that are enjoying their (longer than usual) moment.
Statement light fixtures
If you want proof that one statement piece can have a major impact, look no further than the pendant lamp. An eye-catching light fixture can turn a gloomy staircase into a grand entrance and a modest bedroom into an elegant retreat. One of the most unexpected places the statement light fixture appeared this year is the bathroom. Of her claw-foot bathtub set beneath a glamorous chandelier, Downtown Shabby homeowner Ashley says, “It’s a place that you’re excited to wake up to and happy to come home to.”
Impromptu bars
A home bar can revive even the most neglected corner of a hectic house. From custom counters with designer stools to our favorite ‘50s throwback, the bar cart, there’s an option for every home layout and budget. Stock your shelves with gin and bourbon or invest in a quality espresso machine and wait for visitors to roll in. Downtown Shabby homeowner Tim saw his unused parlor get the bar treatment. “It’s the hangout zone,” he says. “It has that speakeasy vibe, and it’s great to finally be able to have our friends and family over and entertain them.” You’d be surprised at how quickly tiny spaces can become the life of the home.
Carrara marble
For several years marble has taken a backseat to hipper choices, from the sleek (white subway tiles) to the flashy (iridescent mosaic tiles). Classic Carrara marble waited patiently, and now it’s finally making a comeback. Relatively inexpensive, as far as quality stone goes, this gray-veined Italian marble lends warmth to sterile spaces and works with most décor styles, making it a versatile option for a bathroom or kitchen. In use back in Ancient Rome, it’s unlikely this decorating trend will ever really go out of style.
Sliding barn doors
This unlikely trend is showing no signs of slowing down. The barn door was originally favored for its functionality; unlike hinges that swing open, a sliding track allowed farmers to stop gusts of cold air from rushing into a warm barn. Today it’s known more as a style statement (though it still does its job!) and is often the sizeable centerpiece of a room. Reclaimed wood and steel styles compliment equally trendy rustic-industrial décor, but we’ve seen some slick contemporary options with serious wow factor.
White-on-white exteriors
While Victorian homes are traditionally three or more colors, the minimalist design trend is showing up on vintage exteriors. A white base color paired with white trim might not be historically accurate, but it can quickly refresh a 100-year-old structure. As homeowner Ashley said of her post-paint Victorian, “It looks like a different house!” Both Benjamin Moore and Glidden called shades of off-white their 2016 “color of the year,” and renovation expert Frank Fontana has a weakness for an alabaster hue. Hard to pin down as either warm or cool, it’s a fail-safe match for most trim colors on the white spectrum.
Wallpaper statement walls
Pro tip for the ages: Paper and paste can take any room from dreary to dreamy. During the Renaissance, the rich decorated with elaborate tapestries pinned to their walls. Their budget-conscious neighbors improvised with paper imitations, often pasted in sheets – the early wallpaper statement wall. Centuries later, it’s seeing its own renaissance. Add wallpaper with an interesting texture, pattern or color palette to one key wall to lend style without overpowering the room. Choose your wall covering wisely. As Fontana points out, “Wallpaper’s not like paint. You can paint over paint. This is a little bit more of a commitment.”
