Trend vs Trendy

By Marianne Wallace

It’s that time of the year again. 2025 has arrived and with it, the lists upon lists of interior design trends for the new year. We all love trends. People are inherently drawn to new ideas and when you follow a trend, you feel like you are in the know, you feel like you fit in - you might even feel like you are living, laughing and loving! ;)

In interior design, trends help us stay up to date with the latest innovations and creative channels. They also help us keep up with the industry’s dos and don’ts and have a great influence on our decision-making. 

And it’s exactly because trends cast such impact on us as consumers, that it is important to navigate them with caution. While some trends are timeless and classic, others might turn out to be simply fads. So before embracing trends with barn doors wide open (pun intended!), you should learn the difference between a trend and what is trendy.

Trend vs Trendy

When it comes to trends, we are lured in by words such as “trends you’ll love”, “trends to follow”, “the must-have trends for 2025”. But just because something is trendy at the moment, it doesn’t mean it’s a trend. Are you following?

A trend is usually ephemeral; it comes and goes. When a trend stays, it’s usually because it’s part of a historical cycle, and in its core, has never been out of style, such as wallpaper or drapery.

Timeless trends

If you would love to wallpaper your home, but you are afraid wallpaper will become unfashionable and it’s just a trend, don’t be. Just because wallpaper is so trendy right now, it doesn’t mean it’s a trend. Wallpaper is here to stay; in fact, you could argue it has never left since it was and still is a prevalent design staple in many countries. Wallpaper has been around for centuries and even though it might be trendy in 2025, it’s definitely not a fad. There’s no need to be afraid to jump on the bandwagon trendwagon, and by choosing timeless and sophisticated patterns, you will always be in style.

Remember when subway tiles were everywhere and it seemed like they were the only plausible backsplash for kitchens? They might not be as trendy right now, but they were never a simple trend. Subway tiles have been around for decades, and even though the design frenzy around them might have simmered down, they are still a classic, timeless and foolproof choice for bathrooms and kitchens. 

There’s no need to remind anyone that draperies are extremely trendy at the moment. But just like wallpaper, curtains have been around for centuries and have never been out of fashion; on the contrary, they have always been the window treatment of choice in many countries around the world. So when choosing to dress your windows, curtains are always a safe - and beautiful! - design choice. And by choosing quality materials and craftsmanship, your drapery is bound to stand the test of time.

Once upon a trend

One of the biggest problems when following trends is that they can change very quickly and in due course, what may seem in vogue today can feel outdated tomorrow. On the other hand, timeless interiors are designed with longevity in mind, creating a home that can grow with you and adapt to your changing needs over the years. 

Most importantly, following trends can also result in interiors that lack personality, creating a sense of monotony, predictability and sameness in design, making homes feel more like magazine spreads rather than lived-in spaces. 

So while trends can bring a renewed perspective to interiors, avoiding them in favour of more classic and personal design choices will result in a home that retains its appeal over time, a home that feels authentically yours.

*All Photographs Credit: Marianne Wallace

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