Design Trends vs. Timeless Features: When to Follow Trends and When to Opt for Classic Design
When you're building or remodeling a home in Columbus, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest design trends flooding your social feeds or our local Parade of Homes tour. But while trends can bring fresh energy into a space, they don’t always stand the test of time. The key is knowing when to embrace a home design trend and when to stick to the classics.
Why It Matters in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is a city with a rich blend of architectural styles — from charming German Village brick homes to the sleek new builds in Dublin and New Albany. Homeowners here are often looking for design that balances personality with resale value. And with our Midwest weather, practicality and durability can't be overlooked either.
When to Embrace Design Trends
Some trends are worth leaning into, especially if you're looking to modernize your space or create something that reflects your personality. Consider embracing trends in areas that are easier (and less expensive) to update over time.
Ideal Places to Play with Trends:
Statement chandeliers
Wall colors: These can be easily refreshed every few years. For a trendy 2025 color palette, consider using rich earthy greens or warm terracotta tones.
Lighting: Statement chandeliers, pendant lights, and mixed-metal finishes add drama without being permanent.
Decor + Soft Furnishings: Rugs, art, curtains, and throw pillows are your trend playgrounds and can be easily swapped out.
Accent walls or wallpaper: These can be high-impact and relatively easy to change down the line.
Cabinet hardware: Matte black and brushed gold are hot right now, and they’re easy to swap later.
When to Stick with Timeless Features
Arched openings and doorways in both renovations and new builds
Arched openings on lower porch
Barrel vault ceiling mimics the arch from the entry door
Matte black hardware & fixtures in a primary bath remodel
Matte black hardware and fixtures for kitchens and baths
Open shelving in kitchens, especially in remodeled Clintonville or Grandview homes
Moody interiors with deep green or navy walls
Wallpaper with botanical or abstract patterns in powder rooms and dining spaces
Natural materials like travertine, clay tile, and raw wood finishes
In these cases, a little trend-forward thinking can inject personality without compromising long-term appeal.
When to Stick with Timeless Features
Some residential design choices never go out of style and continue to add value and beauty to your home, even as trends change. Think of these as your design “anchor points.”
Stick to timeless design in:
Cabinetry: Shaker-style doors, neutral tones like white, navy, or walnut
Flooring: Hardwood (or engineered wood with a realistic grain) in warm-to-neutral tones
Tilework: Subway tiles, especially in white or muted tones, are clean, adaptable, and always elegant
Layout: Functional floor plans with good flow and natural light will always appeal
Messy Kitchen | Pantry
Home office full of natural light
Timeless features that work and provide functionality in Columbus homes:
Fireplace as a focal point
Built-ins that maximize storage and feel integrated into the home’s design
Classic brick, stone exteriors, or board and batten siding are long-lasting and complementary to the region’s aesthetic
Functional spaces like front porches, mudrooms, laundry rooms, and drop zones are essential in Ohio’s four seasons are especially useful in our four-season climate
Fireplaces as a focal point are perfect for those chilly Ohio winters
Craftsman style home with stone and cedar shakes
Classic choices provide a solid design foundation. They don’t scream for attention — they just work.
The Best of Both Worlds: How to Blend Trend and Timeless
Design isn’t black-and-white. The most beautiful, functional homes often strike a balance between trendy and traditional.
Here’s how to make both work together:
Choose classic materials in trendy shapes (e.g., a scalloped tile in neutral white)
Keep the bones of the home timeless, introduce trends through texture and color with paint, wallpaper, textiles, and lighting
Consider your neighborhood: What works in the Short North might not fit in Worthington
Always ask yourself: Will I love this five years from now? Or if you have plans to move: Will a future buyer?
Blending trends and timelessness also allows you to make decisions based on your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts: Style That Stays, and a Little That Plays
Trends give your home personality. Timeless features give it value and long-term comfort. You don’t have to choose one or the other, you just need to know how to use both wisely.
When in doubt, keep your base design neutral and functional, then layer in trend-forward choices that reflect your taste today. And remember, good design doesn’t chase trends. It adapts, evolves, and feels like home.
Ready to build or remodel with confidence? Whether you want a space that leans bold or keeps things classic, our residential design team based in Central Ohio is here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s create something beautiful together — for today and tomorrow.