Why Home Improvement Shows Are Not your Friend When it Comes to Design

Home Improvement Shows Are Not Your Friend

As a designer, I personally am not a fan of home improvement shows in general. They tend to take the uniqueness of the client out of the equation and dictate design trends based on the taste of the designer on the screen. More significantly, watching and following trends from home improvement shows will date your remodel, regardless of how great it looks upon installation. A trend is a style that can be time stamped and although some trends last longer than others, anything that is popular now that was not popular 5, 10, or 20 years ago is going to be a trend and will date your space. Your space should be a reflection of you, not what someone else tells you that you should like, so allow it to be a reflection of you, and not what you think someone else will want in 7 years if you decide to sell your house.

For example, for about the last 6 or 7 years, grey has been in trend. Grey spaces can be seen all over the place, and although they are popular now, the likelihood that they will be current 7-10 years from now is unlikely. So, if you are a person who has always loved grey and will still love your grey kitchen or bathroom in 10 years, go for it. If you are concerned, however, with your space looking dated in 10 years, perhaps going grey is not the right choice for you because that will definitely date your space.

Any good designer will be overjoyed to work with you in creating a space that reflects your personality over doing the same kitchen or bathroom that they have done 50 times because it’s on trend. As a designer what I like to advise people to do is to find an element that they absolutely love and design their space around that element. For example, let’s say you have a painting or a rug that you love and want in your space or even an exotic looking counter top can be a stunning focal point. Designing
around the elements you love, will represent your personality and will help the design feel as if it has purpose. You can use that item to define the elements of the room through line, color, and rhythm and make it a unique space that reflects you. It will also be timeless because you are not designing to the trend. If you are not sure where to start, connect with a design professional, they will be delighted to help you create a unique space that is as timeless and as unique as you.