3 Pro Tips for Trying This Season’s Biggest Home Trends

Apartment Therapy’s resident design experts Danielle Blundell, executive home director, and Zee Krstic, senior home editor, are taking their advice and insights beyond the page — and bringing it all to life on your screens! Our new video podcast series, Design Defined, takes a deep dive into the world of design — from style advice, to trendspotting, to decor finds you won’t want to miss. 

In the first episode, Danielle and Zee share their biggest takeaways from this season’s home trade shows. From Paris to Orlando, and from the chicest colors to the trendiest toilets, they’re covering absolutely everything you need to know about design right now and sharing all the tips you’ll need to bring the trends to life. Tune in to the show to stay in the know on all the latest from our resident “Style Stars,” but ICYMI, I’ve got the 411 right here. 

Bright, bold colors have been all the rage lately, marking a sharp departure from the “sad beige” and “millennial grays” of years past. But Danielle and Zee recommend relegating those bold hues to accent colors (save the color drenching for softer shades!). “Are you going to color drench your house in chartreuse? Probably not,” Danielle says. “My thought is, why not a pop?”

Instead, Danielle says, incorporate those bright, bold colors like chartreuse with “a pillow, some trim, maybe an ottoman.” Or, alternatively, think about incorporating more color into unexpected spaces, like more “functional” rooms: “Color is coming for kitchens and baths,” she adds. 

Statement tile and vintage appliances and bathroom fixtures are all the rage right now. But even if you don’t have those (or need a faster, more renter-friendly fix), it’s easy to add in smaller elements for pops of color. For example, consider swapping out your toilet seat for a bolder, more colorful version. “You just change out the lid … and you’re done,” says Danielle. “That’s something that you can do for like $30, $40.” (And yes, it’s way easier than you think!) 

Another trend Danielle and Zee are loving? Nature-inspired designs. “Nothing is not earthy right now,” Danielle quips, adding that leaning into a “natural” vibe can help make your space feel grounded and calm. One easy (yet bold) way to channel the great outdoors is by incorporating decorative accents inspired by natural forms. From “feathered” light fixtures, to jellyfish lamps and seashell accents, and even citrus fruit tableware, Danielle saw it all and more in Paris. 

But in addition to the popularity of those sculptural statement pieces, interiors as a whole are trending toward nature-inspired colors and textures. “Yeah, we’re bringing the outdoors in,” Zee says. Warmer tones are replacing grays and cold whites, and “rich” red tones are gaining on the darker greens that have long reigned supreme. Danielle says we’re moving away from the “fire engine red” and toward shades like “cranberry, wine, or merlot,” which are all a bit more “down to earth.” 

To capture that earthy vibe, they recommend layering more natural textures like woven rattan and linen, along with those warmer paint colors and various wood tones — and definitely add some houseplants, too! Mother Nature transcends the trend cycle, so don’t be afraid to be bold; such natural aesthetic choices are truly timeless.

One of my favorite tips from the inaugural episode? The importance of personal touches and of “collections.” “The thing that was really at the forefront [of every trade show] was personalization,” Danielle says. Little unique accents can make a big difference, and the “weirder,” the better. “More personality [means] more life in your home,” Zee adds. But making it chic still requires some careful curation. 

Personally, I sometimes worry that too many of those random personal items might make my home look less intentional. But that’s where the importance of a collection comes in. “Collections create a through line in your home,” Danielle explains. “It doesn’t have to be intimidating … [your collection] could just be like three things.” Your collection could consist of actual decor pieces, like antique glassware, or something less traditional, like matchbooks from your favorite restaurants.

Whether you choose to style your collection grouped together or spread out throughout the space, those cohesive personal accents will always level up your space. If you’re not sure where to start with collecting, the pair recommends checking out vintage stores and flea markets and see what you gravitate toward. And even if you don’t always find something, like Danielle says: “It’s fun to go through old stuff!”