As trends change, it can be easy for our sense of style to become outdated. However, big life events like milestone birthdays, getting married or having children, can be the perfect opportunity to revisit and refresh your home styling.
From ditching the band posters in your bedroom, to tidying away the DVD clutter in your living room, Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at FurnitureChoice.co.uk, reveals the interior trends to ditch according to your upcoming life events, as well as the trends you should invest in.
Getting married
For those getting married in 2020, there are a few stand out trends to ditch in order to achieve marital bliss:
Old mattresses
With a good night’s sleep known to be related to marital satisfaction, having a good quality mattress is key to a happy marriage.
The lifespan of a mattress is around eight to 10 years, so it’s always wise to invest in a new one if yours is on its way out. Rebecca adds: “A good quality mattress is essential to a good night’s sleep, we can spend at least eight hours sleeping so it’s really important to invest in a new one if you notice any signs of wear and tear over the years.” Signs of deterioration can include sagging, lumps and bumps, uneven springs or if you experience aches or pains after sleeping.
Man-cave
An American study found that most men in their 30’s who owned a ‘man cave’, or a room/space that’s seen as a sanctuary to play video games and watch TV, reported that their man caves were mostly unfinished and rarely used.
An unused and incomplete room is a waste of space that could be used as a study, nursery or guest bedroom. “Rooms within the home should always be functional, so avoid any kind of man cave type rooms, especially if they will be unfinished!
“Having a room or space dedicated to your partner can feel a little neglecting for the other person, particularly in the first year of marriage. Instead, use the space for something a little more functional, such as a home office or spare bedroom.” advises Rebecca.
Milestone birthday
A milestone birthday such as a 30th or 40th is always a big occasion, but keeping your home decor in line with the big event is key to making your home feel sophisticated:
Wall decals and stickers
Wall decals and stickers are a trend that is worth ditching as you hit your big milestone birthday. “Over time, stickers and wall decals can become faded, discoloured and can begin to peel from your walls, so they end up looking untidy.
“Walls can look so much brighter and cleaner without stickers or decals, and if you still want to inject some colour or decoration to your walls, add some framed prints or stylish canvases.” says Rebecca.
Inspirational phrases
Inspirational phrases have adorned walls and bookcases for years, however if you’re approaching a milestone birthday, it’s time to ditch them in favour of decor pieces that reflect your personality more.
“Phrases such as ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ are quite generic, so try personalising your decor and framed prints that are really individual to you to add some of your personality to your home.” Rebecca advises.
Having a baby
Having a baby is one of the biggest life events you can experience, but your home should reflect the change in your life, as well as being suitable for your new addition.
All white/grey everything
One of the most popular trends of 2020 is a Mrs Hinch style home, with all white and grey furnishings and decor. However, it’s not the most practical when it comes to having a new baby.
“All grey or white homes have become really popular over recent years, with Mrs Hinch leading the trend. However, as babies become older and begin toddling, they are likely to get food, paint or even worse on our walls, sofas and furnishings.
“Adding a little colour in your home on your walls and furnishings can help to mask any potential fingerprints or crayon marks. Pops of colour throughout your house can really help to open up the space and will mean you won’t need to panic about keeping all your rooms pristine and sparkling, especially when you have a newborn.” suggests Rebecca.
Cheap curtains
Cheap or unlined curtains aren’t the best for helping you sleep, especially for a baby or young child. Fully-lined or blackout curtains are recommended for your baby’s room, due to day and night confusion that can occur if your baby’s room is well-lit at bed or naptime.
Rebecca adds: “If you struggle with sleep at night, or you’ve become parents, black-out curtains are recommended to help get a good night’s sleep. Cheap and thin curtains can allow too much light into a bedroom, especially during daytime naps, so invest in some good quality blackout curtains.”
Trends to invest in
Whilst ditching certain trends that can be immature or outdated, Rebecca suggests items that are worth investing in if you’re approaching a big life event:
Matching towels
“Matching towels add sophistication to your bathroom and can really help coordinate the whole room. Try adding matching towels and a bathmat to pull the room together, or if you have a theme such as a nautical, you could add towels in different shades of blue, which adds to the theme.” explains Rebecca.
Comfortable bedding
With an average person spending one third of their life sleeping, good quality bedding is a must. “Rather than poor quality, scratchy bedding, invest in some good premium duvet covers, as well as the all-important pillows and duvet. As we spend so much time asleep, our bedding needs to be of a good quality to help us get a good night’s rest.” says Rebecca.
Rebecca summarises: “Keeping our house up-to-date according to what we experience through our lives is usually one of the last things we think about, but it’s really important to keep our homes feeling as grown up as we are.”
Being surrounded by decor that reflects where you are at in your life can help you move on to the next chapter and will mean your home will function exactly how you need it to, to suit your current lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be a big change, but making small tweaks and updating a select few items can make a big difference to the overall feel of your home.
