2018 decorating trends: what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s classic (hint: you’ve got this)

If you have spent any time on Pinterest over the last few years, then you know something about minimalist décor. White walls, black and natural wood accents, simple furniture. Very clean and serene.

I’m sure that you have noticed something else about these serene white rooms because you have kids. And a spouse. Maybe even a dog that sheds. There are no piles. There is practically no stuff. You’ve wondered what the heck these minimalists do with all the crap that comes home from school. And where are the toys? Your house looks more like this than this.

I hear you. And so do the trend puppeteers. According to the style making, trend setting powers that be, a new “ism” is on its way in. Maximalism. Just look at the increasing popularity of The Jungalow if you have any hesitation that maximalist décor is the new it decorating style. (Seriously, Justina Blakeney has lines at Target, Pottery Barn Kids, Schoolhouse Electric… the woman is EVERYWHERE).

All things come in cycles. It follows that if people want maximalist décor then minimalism must be on its way out, right? Maybe not. But can two trends that are so wholly different live together in harmony? I say yes.

What if we decorated our homes with the things we really wanted to live with? What if we took a minimalist approach by not having things in our home that we don’t need or want (hello, William Morris) and also took a maximalist approach to color and pattern and texture and the things that make us happy? What would that look like in your house?

A couple of weeks ago, I got to hear Miles Redd, a decidedly maximalist decorator, speak at a conference. Once we cross the threshold of our homes, Redd said, we can create our own fantasies. Whether our fantasy is clean and lean or colorful and full of whimsy, we get to choose.

So what’s hot? Does it actually matter? What’s classic - and therefore immune to trends - is surrounding yourself with things you love. We do not live on stage sets. We live in real homes with real families and real stuff. Let us decorate those homes for living our best life.