Trend or Fad? Knowing the Difference Could Save You Money

Fads are characterized by an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, but they tend to fade in popularity quickly, and have little basis in practicality.

Trends have longer lifespans and are more sustainable as a market force. Trends indicate the general direction that something is developing over time. Often times, design trends can be predictable because they have a basis in practicality that justifies their popularity.

Fads can occasionally turn into trends, but it’s hard to know in which cases that will happen. If your goal is to attract a wide range of buyers to your home and sell quickly, it’s best to steer clear of design choices that are too new, too edgy, and too pricey. Let’s break down a few current fads for consideration.

Wallpaper
“Thanks to Instagram and Pinterest, busy, bold wallpaper is back in a big way,” says HomeLight. “Online searches for ‘bold print wallpaper’ have increased by 401% in the past year.” While wallpaper can be great for adding a splash of individuality to your space, it’s just that — individual. To some, wallpaper adds visual clutter, and if buyers can’t picture themselves in that space, they’re going to be more focused on the potential headache of taking all of that wallpaper down. Neutral paint tones, on the other hand, tend to have widespread appeal and can be easily changed by potential buyers.

Kitchen finishes
Watch HGTV for more than a few minutes these days and you’ll probably see some fancy gold or brass finishes in the kitchen or bathrooms. We’re filing this under “fad.” Even though this type of finish has grown in popularity, you’re still unlikely to find them in the majority of homes—especially in more suburban areas. If you live in a hip city with a large, design-savvy millennial buyer base, choosing these trendy finishes could pay off. For everyone else, sticking to finishes with more widespread appeal is a smarter move.

In recent years, open kitchen shelving has become quite popular on design shows. When staged properly and done right, open shelving can look great, but in the frenzy of everyday life it lacks function and looks cluttered and unorganized.

Bathrooms
Outside of finishes, it’s important to consider the main features of your bathroom. Large walk-in showers have become more popular, but they often require ditching the bathtub. Consider your potential buyer before making such a drastic change. While you personally might not take many baths, a tub is often a must for young families with small children.