Do You Actually Like That Trend? Here’s How to Tell
We’ve all been there. You're scrolling Pinterest or Instagram, and suddenly it hits: the Trend. Maybe it’s checkerboard everything, boucle chairs, a wall of wavy mirrors, or something dipped in rust-colored velvet. It’s gorgeous. It’s everywhere. You think you love it.
image credit: Gieves Anderson
But… do you?
Before you hit “add to cart” or start wallpapering your ceiling in burnt orange blobs (which honestly sounds kind of fun), let’s pause for a minute. Trends are great—they can spark creativity, keep things fresh, and introduce us to styles we might never have tried. But when it comes to your home, you have to live with it. And no trend, no matter how viral, is worth looking around and wondering why your house feels like someone else’s Pinterest board.
image credit: Thomas Wiuf Schwartz
So here’s how to tell if you actually like a trend… or if you're just temporarily hypnotized by the algorithm.
1. Would You Like It If No One Else Did?
Imagine you never saw this trend online. No influencers. No reels. No mood boards. Just the object or idea, in a room, on its own. Would you still be into it?
image credit: Lulu and Georgia
If the answer is yes, then you’re on to something. If the excitement fades once you remove the hype, it might not be a fit for your style—it’s just good marketing.
2. Can You Picture It in Five Years?
We’re not saying your home needs to stay the same forever (that would be rich advice coming from me LOL), but try this little test: picture this trend in your space a few years from now. Will it still make you happy? Or will it feel like that “Live, Laugh, Love” sign you finally took down in 2017?
Image credit: JHID / Photography Aaron Leitz / TaylorSmith Sustainable Construction
Longevity matters—especially for the big stuff. You can swap out pillows. Swapping out a trendy tile floor? Not so much.
3. Does It Play Nice with What You Already Own?
Your home isn’t a showroom. It’s a mix of you: your style, your history, your quirks, and your favorite vintage finds. So before introducing something trendy, ask yourself if it works with what you already love.
If it complements your current vibe—or even adds a little intentional contrast—great. But if it feels like forcing two puzzle pieces together, it’s okay to let it go.
Image credit: Charu Gandhi/Elicyon
4. Have You Liked It More Than Once?
Sometimes we fall for a look just because we saw one perfect photo of it. That’s like falling in love with a haircut based on one model’s photo (and forgetting they have an entirely different face, bone structure, and hairstylist$$$$).
Look for variety. If you find yourself liking that trend across multiple rooms, homes, or styles—and you’re still thinking about it next week—it's probably a genuine love.
5. Can You Put Your Spin on It?
A trend should be a tool, not a rule. If you can take a popular look and make it feel like you—like your version, not a copy—that’s the sweet spot.
Maybe you like the checkerboard thing, but in a muted linen. Or you’re into the funky 70s revival, but only in the form of a killer lamp. That’s how trends evolve and how your home stays personal.
Image credit: Zoe Carter-Mackay
Bottom Line:
There’s no shame in loving what’s popular. Trends can be fun and inspiring! But when your space reflects your taste—trendy or not—it feels better to live in. Trust your gut, give it time, and remember: just because it’s trending doesn’t mean it’s you.
And if you do fall in love with a trend? Lean in. But make sure it’s on your terms, not the algorithm’s.
Want help figuring out how to try a trend without going all in? I’ve got some styling tips and low-commitment ideas coming next week—because trend-testing should never be scary (or expensive).
-Juliette