As I’m sure is the case for most people with pretty much any social platform, I have a love-hate relationship with Instagram. Love the LOLs, the inspiration, the genuine engagement and the one actual real-life friend I’ve made from it (hi Rachel). Hate the comparison, the inadequacy, the bullshit engagement just to get followers, people bragging about how they got a top-end bathroom for less than £2 and generally having my life controlled by an algorithm.
Some days I find it really inspiring. Other days I find it the complete opposite. Because everyone is doing the same bloody stuff! I believe there are people who decorate a certain way just to get more followers. I think this because every now and then the lure of potential followers creeps into my own decision-making process. It happened recently when I was choosing the colour for my kitchen. I knew what I wanted, but I also knew it was not what the Instagram community would want. I actually found my inner soulless wannabe influencer saying “Don’t choose that boring neutral colour, you’ll be more popular on Instagram if you go dark”. I know. Shocking. Don’t worry. I gave myself a good talking to and recovered my self-worth.
But the influence factor is REAL! And it’s dangerous. You could easily end up painting your living room off-black, adorning it with flamingos, cheese plants and boho floor cushions. When all you actually wanted was a light and neutral space with a decent sofa to watch telly.
So this got me thinking of all the trends I’ve seen throughout 2020 and wondering how many are in my actual own home. Want to play along with some Insta-trend bingo?
Here are my top Instagram home decor trends – are you in or out?
1. GALLERY WALL – IN
I’m 100% in on this because I love art. It’s a bit of a weakness of mine. And as I don’t have a huge house I don’t really have much choice but to group them all together. If I was super rich then I would very happily buy massive pieces of original art because stand-along pieces look stunning, but my budget is restricted to prints and postcards or greeting cards I’ve framed. And no doubt my toddler will expect to see some of her artwork lovingly displayed once she’s old enough to be offended that it’s not. So say what you like about gallery walls, I’m in.
2. DARK BLUE / GREEN KITCHENS – IN
And more specifically kitchen islands. Yeah, you’re going nowhere on Insta unless you have the show-stopping kitchen units in some fabulous inky Farrow and Ball colour. Of course, kitchens are a huge expense so you have to be sure it’s the colour for you but what’s not to love about it? It’s practical and I think colour makes the kitchen feel more homely. People often feel white is safe for kitchens but if you don’t get it right white kitchens can end up feeling clinical and a bit sterile. And no one wants that?
3. BASKETS – IN
I always have and always will be massively into this trend. What is there not to love about baskets? They add texture and warmth to any scheme. You put plants in them, store loads of crap in them and then cover them with a pretty throw. And they look great grouped together. My house wouldn’t be the same without baskets so there is no sitting on the fence with this one. You?
4. PLANTS – IN
But only recently. I’ve always been shit with plants and it’s only in the last few years I’ve started to get the hang of the fact you have to water them to keep them alive. Consistency is key. It’s now on my to-do list for every Sunday. But I’ve also got a load of fauxs which also look great and of course, are guilt-free. Plants suit every space and every scheme so I am totally behind this trend. But crazy plant ladies have replaced the crazy cat ladies and I draw the line at some of the jungles out there. There comes a point where it’s one fern too many.
5. JAZZY STAIR RUNNER – OUT
I was on the fence about this one for a while and it was one of those trends that almost made its way into my home. They are everywhere at the moment. Herringbone, polka dots, zebra print. And I love looking at them in other people’s homes but again it didn’t feel right for my space. I’m not huge on pattern generally and in my hall, I have a patterned rug as you come in, a patterned runner down the hallway and then the WC at the back of the hall has patterned tiles, so that’s enough for me. I knew I’d get more followers if I went full-on zebra but in the end, I’ve plumped for a plain textured carpet with a pink trim. It’s being installed next Thursday so I’ll know for sure then if I’ve made the right decision.
6. DARK WALLS – IN
I am in on this trend but it has to be the right space. I have a dark living room which is small, is only used in the evenings, is dark anyway, and it’s an isolated space. These are the perfect natural conditions for dark walls to thrive. I don’t love dark walls in rooms that are naturally light and airy, or in large, open-plan spaces. There is no doubt my living room is the most ‘liked’ of all my rooms on Instagram. The Insta community love a bit of ‘Down Pipe’ but I wouldn’t want it everywhere.
7. PANELLING – OUT
OMG, the Insta world has gone mad for panelling this year. It has to be the trend for 2020. I think the appeal is that it is cheap (it’s basically nailing and glueing MDF strips to the wall), it’s apparently easy to install, and it adds texture and interest to a room that may otherwise lack character or a focal point. I think it looks fantastic and I can see why it is so popular. A girl I had followed for a few years shot from around 4K followers to 12K followers literally overnight when she panelled her dining room wall. And you can see why it looks stunning.
My only concern with it is the longevity of this trend, is it a keeper? And the mess of trying to get it off again. I wonder if it will be the wood chip of the 21st century and our children and grandchildren will be cursing us as they spend weekend after weekend trying to get the damn stuff off and make good their walls. What do you think?
8. HERRINGBONE FLOORS – OUT
These are the floors where Insta dreams are made. Unless you are going herringbone or chevron in your new kitchen/diner extension you may as well delete your account now. But seriously, these floors are great for large spaces because they create pattern and movement. They break up a large space and look youthful yet classic at the same time.
I did consider this pattern in my new kitchen/diner for five minutes, but they aren’t for me. My space isn’t large (it’s not an extension it’s just two small rooms knocked together). And because I have plank floors in the rest of my home I didn’t want to disrupt the cohesiveness. Also, I think herringbone suits really grand old houses. It makes me think of natural trust-type properties. My house is Edwardian and very handsome but it doesn’t come close to a ‘grand’ house, so it just didn’t feel right for me.
9. OPEN SHELVES – IN
I’m a huge fan. I love the look of them but I also love the process of experimenting and playing with them. And they are a really quick and easy way to restyle a room and make it feel different. I can understand people who don’t want them though, dust. They are a nightmare to dust. But tbh no one is really looking that closely. And you also have to be quite disciplined and tidy. But apparently, the open-shelf trend is passing now anyway. Particularly in kitchens, we are reverting to wall cabinets but with glass rather than solid doors so it’s a kind of happy medium between open and concealed. But I hate wall cabinets, plus I’m really lazy so I love not having to open a door to reach for a wine glass.
10. PAMPAS GRASS – OUT
It must be a younger generation who have made Pampas popular because as far as I was concerned having Pampas Grass on display was a sure sign you were swingers right? That’s what I was led to believe as I was growing up anyway. But sexual myth aside I still don’t see the appeal. I think it’s because I have a toddler so it would be unimaginable for me to have something so tall and unstable in my home. Also, they are a bit beige for me. So I’m a definite no on this trend.
11. THE BAR CART – OUT
Another trend popularised by a more youthful generation I think, probably because they weren’t around in the actual seventies when these were first a thing the first time round. I really remember the smell of my parent’s drinks cabinet, and it makes me feel a bit queasy just thinking about it. Plus people have become obsessed with Gin and mixers these days so the barcart is a perfect place to display all those lovely glasses and accessories. Whereas I’m just an old-fashioned wino.
12. MACRAME – IN
Yes, I admit it, I have one. And I even have a couple of dream catchers. I know! shameful. This is such a ‘trend’ and it’s never going to stick but I still kind of like it. So I’m going to enjoy my wall hanging whilst I can.
The shameful evidence
So how did you do? More in’s than out’s? It doesn’t matter what the trend is, if you love it then do it. Just don’t succumb to the pressure of social media like I nearly have on so many occasions. Particularly with expensive purchases or things you’re gonna have to live with for the next ten years.
What trends have you fallen for or avoided? I’d love to hear. Join the discussion in the comments below.
And remember I’m always here if you would like to join me in the real world for any interior design or general advice.
Sarah x
