Trend Spotting

I'm a self-admitted late adopter, so I'm stepping outside of my comfort zone here in talking about trends, but we all love to try and stay in the know. Given all the talk of tariffs in recent news, I'm predicting a sizable impact to how we decorate our homes.

A significant amount of home furnishings and decor items are made in China - from higher-end retailers (RH recently reported 72% of its products costs were from items sourced in Asia) to budget conscious stores (Wayfair lists on its website where the items are being sold from) and don't get me started on Temu.

Antique treasures or someone else's junk?

Increased costs to an already significant household line item means a shift in consumer shopping habits (sourcing as the pros like to call it). Just as the supply chain was disrupted in COVID (remember all those FB Marketplace finds as retail stores remained closed and your children needed the next size up in clothes) and the design aesthetic leaned into white (clean looking spaces that paired well with bleach), sustained and significant price increases will change where homeowners and designers shop and the design choices they make.

Some of the trend implications I'd anticipate are detailed below.

• A resurgence in design that incorporates used furniture. ie. antique, vintage, consignment items and flea market finds. This is already happening with the proliferation of sites such as Chairish (hellow), 1stdibs and even traditional retailers like OKL and Rejuvenation offering pre-loved items. Not to mention FB Marketplace, Nextdoor and Craigslist (does anyone still use that?). These household items are ready for purchase at predictable prices.

• A renewed focus on investing in quality pieces. As historically less expensive furniture options become as costly as higher quality goods due to the tariffs, why not invest in the better quality piece?

• People will use what they have in new and creative ways, making modifications with paint and fabric. Perhaps we'll see a trend towards embracing patina like is so often done in European design.

• The scope of renovations could be more limited and rather than ripping over everything and having all new materials installed, individuals may look for ways to embrace what's existing. Much of this is predicated on having good quality materials to begin with. Another testament to the sustainable value good design can bring to a home.

• The perceived value of hiring a designer will increase. Relative to pricing for goods, the cost to hire an interior designer could become a less significant portion of the budget compared to overall project spend. Also, a designer's knowledge of sourcing options (whether antique, vintage or domestically manufactured products) may be seen as more valuable.

• Longer lead times as domestic manufacturers keep with with demand. I'd also anticipate a slowing down of the design industry as the industry adjusts to new pricing and individuals delay or defer home renovation projects. I can imagine the cost of new construction will only continue to rise tempering the pace of ever changing trends.

• A return to an American-made aesthetic featuring materials made or sourced in the states. Who doesn't love bluestone anyway?

The optimist in me is hoping there will be implications will be a return to sustainability, quality and beauty. I'd rather not explore the pessimist view.