This popular post has been updated for 2021. You want your décor to be fresh and current but not so trendy as to be out of style in a few years. Well, here are eight cool but timeless decorating trends that can definitely update your look!
Hand-fired Tiles
Such as Zellige, a traditional Moroccan tile handcrafted with non-refined natural clay from the Fez region. It is a low-fired terracotta that may be used for all applications, including floor/wall and interior/exterior.
It looks good with aged brass fixtures.
Natural Warm Wood Tones
Organic Wood Coffee Table in New Life To An Open Plan Living Room
Or like the dressers in our master bedroom…
Five Ways To Make Your Master Bedroom Fresh
Wallpaper
If you have ever ruined your nails trying to remove wallpaper in the past, you might be hesitating to jump on this fun trend that’s back! So why not get your feet wet in smaller spaces like a hallway, bedroom, or powder room?
or a laundry room…
Blue and White Powder and Laundry before and after
Traditional Wool Rugs
Hey, you are in luck if you saved yours or inherited one. The thing is, these rugs look fresh in light surroundings… and you can find them at places like Pottery Barn or Etsy.
Black Accents
You always need a touch of black… like a lampshade or box or
a pillow!
Cindy Hattersley Design   Check out Cindy’s amazing family room makeover!
Mid-century Modern
It’s back in a big way. If you think about it…it’s actually sort of classic.
Anything with caning big like with our dining chairs.
Light Stone Countertops
This look will be in style for a long time! Think of the classic French bistros. Most of my clients want the ease of engineered stone like quartz.
Natural Elements
Not only natural wood but also handcrafted pottery with
loose, hand-picked flower arrangements…
Beautiful, timeless decorating trends:
Warm Wood Tones, Wallpaper, Traditional Wool Rugs, Hand-fired Tiles, Black Accents, Mid-century Modern, Light Stone Countertops, Natural Elements
Fabulous post! Thank you.
These are absolutely gorgeous! I am so happy I found your blog. I am looking to do a little remodeling in my home and this will help out a lot. Thanks for sharing!
OMG, never mind – I found it by clicking on your post. I must not have had enough coffee yet this morning!!
Mary Ann, When you get home from your trip (congratulations, btw!!!) can you tell me the manufacturer of the Zellige tile in the first photo? I’ve not seen that color in a subway size – it seems most Zellige comes in a square format. Thank you!!
Love these ideas! I am enchanted by the flowers in the first bathroom shot – do you know what kind of flowers those are? I must find some! Thanks in advance!
I think that they are just hydrangeas.
I’m thinking “timeless trends”may be an oxymoron! I, too, am not a MCM fan (except that I was born in 1949 and am a MCM by birth). I never stopped loving colored wool rugs and mine are of that much maligned color: red! Love touches of black and natural wood tones. In fact, I used black cabinets with natural maple gliding drawers to go with my maple butcher block tables. I’m heading into my 4th years since the remodel and I still like it! I’m looking forward to the next remodel phase that will include wallpaper (and yes, I did ruin my nails and the drywall when I attached the flocked! yes flocked! wallpaper that had been put up with no sizing. Those early sins now covered by beadboard! Would you believe alligator wallpaper to follow?
Great post! I just can not get onboard with Mid-century modern. I guess because when I was growing up, our home was full of this stuff and once it went out of style, it looked terribly dated. We couldn’t wait to get rid of it! My mother always said it looked like our dentist’s office waiting room!
I used to think that, too. But now I like mixing in a couple things like a chair or coffee table.
Sarah, I’m with you and the others on MCM. Showing my age as well, when we were young and furnishing our first apartment, second-hand stores and thrift shops were rare where we lived, and MCM was about the only thing we could find/afford. I love bright and airy, but I also love cozy, and MCM doesn’t do it for me. I’ve gone through several styles over the years, mainly because of living in different areas of the country and enjoying the styles that were prevalent in those areas, but have never returned to MCM! The other trends — the rugs, natural wood, black accents, and touches of wallpaper really appeal to me.
Mid-century style has always been my favourite, and the combo of marble and wood is irreplaceable which I found extremely intriguing in the picture! WOW, can’t get sick of it so soon.
Hi Mary Ann,
Great decorating tips! I love touches of black. I have not been very lucky in the past at Home Goods, could not find any quality or unique items. Mostly mass produced stuff from China. Recently my husband and I were on our way home from the paint store and I asked would he mind if we stopped there.( He ended up going in to Best Buy next door) I got extremely lucky and came home with a few things. What really blew my mind was I found an IDENTICAL shell mounted on a piece of lucite that I bought at Roger’s Garden’s a few months ago. Price at Roger’s Gardens $99, at Home Goods $18 on clearance and that one was even taller! Guess I see another visit to Home Goods in the future. :o)
Linda, Homegoods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls take patience. Things come and go quickly. If you’re lucky enough to live close to one you should check them often. I’ve found some great things. If you see something you think may work in your home go ahead and get it because it will most likely be gone if you go back for it. You can always take it back if it doesn’t work. Sounds like you are an experienced shopper and know a good bargain when you see it. Their pillows are always beautiful and actually very reasonable. Good luck.
Yes…I have found great things at Homegoods like trays, candles, vases, towels… but it I have never seen it so crowded. I’m going on a weekday next time.
Thank you Sharon! Yes I have a Home Goods 3 miles from me…I just don’t get over that way too often. You are right about buying something if you like it because their inventory changes often. We also have a Restoration Hardware Outlet really close to my house. I have heard they get shipments constantly so their inventory changes as well. I am actually thinking of grabbing a cup of coffee and popping into Home Goods this afternoon if I get the chance! (will look for that candle) 😉
This is such a great post (and thanks for the shout out by the way). Great advice re wallpaper. I have a former client that wallpapered her entire house. Ughhhh too much wallpaper in my mind. Love it in a small powder room or bath! As far as mid-century modern goes…a little goes a long way in my book!
Cindy, are you getting this message in your in box?
Some great ideas for trends to make your home feel updated. Not a huge fan of mid-century, but done right it can look very cool and clean. The patterned tile is great just not sure how timeless it is, and want your bedroom chests. Would love to do wallpaper in my powder room, so many wonderful patterns out there now.
Would still love your help tweaking my upstairs rooms.
xoxo Gail
I will call you next week, Gail!
I hear you about the lines at Home Goods! I just bought myself a little side table there that I’ve been loving for a month, even though my husband showed no enthusiasm for the concept. (Do you ever do that? Float decorating ideas to your husband?) It’s a wood (or faux wood, I can’t tell) top on a simple black iron base, and I bought it so I have a place to sit my tea next to our coughlazyboycough chair. It instantly made clear the things that FIT in the room and the things that are dated. Classic white slipcovered sofas, fit. Flowered pillows? Out of date. Pine and ash wood? Fit. Black-framed maps? Fit. It’s brilliant and I want to move it to every room in my house to work its magic.
Sounds like a cool table, Nancy!
It seems like trends from long enough ago (like MCM or even much older) stand the test of time best. For example, those wool rugs and patterned tiles. Other things, like wallpaper (or paint) aren’t meant to stay around forever, so those are good places to get crazy and experimental. You have selected such pretty examples.
Ugh, I never much cared for mid-century when it was trending not that long ago. I know it can look cool and sleek in the right home, it’s just not me. Too similar to what I grew up with. Love the black accents and the wool rugs…am I revealing my generation? Hahaha.
Fun post, Mary Ann.
Karen