Farmhouse Chic, Rustic Industrial are so out, what’s in for 2020?

Farmhouse Chic, Rustic Industrial are so out, what’s in for 2020?

Realtor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 5k+ votes

I’ve got some design-savvy clients right now that are looking for a nice new home. We looked at several properties recently (practicing strict social distancing protocols of course, now that showings are once again considered an essential activity here) and the wife has got me thinking because she says farmhouse chic and rustic industrial themes have been done to death recently and are already “so passé, like peaked in 2016”. She does have a point that there’s just too much of those trends being done for them to last much longer (unfortunately for most of the new-builds here in Boulder, and entire neighborhoods in Denver (looking at you RiNo and Highlands) that consist almost entirely of these two styles). What’s next? Clean modern? Bond Villain/ 70’s porno themes coming back? Mid-century modern again (and again, and again)? If wood paneling and shag carpet is back, my garage man-cave is on point. Seriously though, I know white cabinets, dark wood trim, white painted brick (a cardinal sin to paint brick anyway IMO so good riddance there), glass block bathrooms, Tuscan kitchens, brass hardware, reclaimed wood, Edison bulbs, furniture and fixtures made out of black pipe and distressed wood, interior sliding barn doors, pastels, too much granite, chevron patterns, whicker furniture, etc. have all been way overdone recently and are on their way out now, and brightly painted cabinets are in, but beyond that I’m not sure what the “next” design trends are currently. We seem to be at a point where a few styles have dominated over the past decade, and they have finally been grossly overdone, and I’m wondering what’s next? Flippers, designers, architects, stagers, etc., what do you think will replace Farmhouse Chic and Rustic Industrial as the dominant design themes in the next few years?

2Reply
69 views

Most Popular Reply

Flipper/Rehabber · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 300 posts · 417 votes
6y

@Colin Stuart definitely has a point. All trends will run their course. Even when a large population agrees that a trend has been overdone, it's still going to take time for it to filter down through all the channels before it dies out. 

From what I've seen, the point when large influential cities and stylish wealthier neighborhoods begin to let go of a trend, is often when many small midwest neighborhoods and towns are only just beginning to jump on that trend bandwagon, or at least are still running their course with the trend. 

I'd also argue that a trend never really completely dies, because at least some part of the trend will get picked up and recycled/re-imagined years down the road. 

See this reply in the discussion

8 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Flipper/Rehabber · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 300 posts · 417 votes
    6y

    I'm curious to hear what others have to say, because I've been thinking about this recently. I agree with farmhouse chic being overdone. I'd be happy to never see that style again (or at least for a long long while). Rustic industrial (or industrial chic) also seem overdone, but I do think we will continue to see certain elements, such as metals and light fixtures, continued to be used from this trend. 

    I think we are going to continue to see an increase in playfulness and individuality expressed within the home. A big part of this is picking and choosing various unique colors/patterns/textures/and designs from different eras, and blending them together. 

    One way I am seeing this is with wall paper. Vintage-inspired, brightly colored (or softly muted colors), floral designs (or birds, elephants, etc.) taking over one room in a house. A "safe" way people are making use of the wall paper trend is by just using it in a bathroom, versus an entire living room. 

    I also see an emphasis on natural design elements (clay, linen, wood, terracotta, ), and lots of plants. Succulents and other indoor plants are already used a lot, but I'm seeing an increase in plants as a more permanent fixture in a home. Hanging wall gardens (whether indoors or on a deck or patio) are increasingly practical in terms of maximizing space, and also incorporating the natural element that so many city-dwellers desire.

  • Inland Empire, So Cal · Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 2 votes
    6y

    @Steve K. The style of the moment is being termed "Organic Modern". A mid-century modern base with a natural, organic, "boho" finish! I used this style in my last flip, with terrific staging (thank you Denise!) to complete the look and received multiple full-price offers the first week! (Look up the design style on "Pinterest")

  • Flipper/Rehabber · St. Petersburg, FL · Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 6 votes
    6y

    I agree with @Account Closed. Natural, organic elements are popular and moving away from heavy, dark wood, and farmhouse rustic style (thankfully). In our current flip, we're hoping to stand out against most flippers in our area that still heavily rely on the grey/white/farmhouse theme. I'd be ok never seeing a sliding barn door again. 

    I think organic minimalism style will dominate the trends for the next few years. Clean lines, natural woods, cane, rattan, and bamboo are all being widely used now. Plenty of plants. Clunky, dark wood, and rustic furnishes are being traded for light and airy colors, fabrics, and materials. Minimal furniture and wall decor – less is more vibe. 

    As far a paint colors, white walls are in and warmer colors are taking over. I think we're all finally moving away from the greys of the past few years. Accent walls are dominating the trends with a heavy emphasis on "moody" colors in muted dark greens, blues, and blacks. Patterned wallpaper is also catching on (I added some to my office last summer!). 

    While trends are great and we like to incorporate them into homes we rehab, I think it's important to take into consideration the style of the home. In my area, 1920s - 1940s bungalows are abundant and I think it's important to use flooring, cabinetry, trim, and colors that tie into the style/era of the home. I hate seeing someone lay grey, wide plank LVF over original hardwoods, but I'm also an old house nerd!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 300 posts · 417 votes
    6y

    @Jaime Elkins I appreciate that you try to stay true to the style and era of the homes you rehab. Trends are great, but sometimes people make the mistake of sacrificing the character of the home by replacing everything with what will fit into a modern momentary trend. To this day, I regret changes we made to a 1865 Victorian home a few years ago. We stripped much of the original interior (including all the wallpaper - even though it wasn't in bad shape), and replaced it with modern paint colors, etc. because we were told that's what buyers "wanted." The house sold pretty quickly, so that's the one positive, but I do wonder if we could have sold it just as quickly and also kept more of the charming character intact. 

  • Investor · Dundee, OR · Member since 2016 · 104 posts · 162 votes
    6y

    The home office. Mic drop!

  • Rental Property Investor · Albany, NY · Member since 2019 · 31 posts · 19 votes
    6y

    @Steve K. While I agree with you that Farmhouse Chic and Rustic Industrial are overplayed, I think they will continue to dominate new inventory on the market as there are many buyers who still love and will pay top dollar for this product. I think in terms of design we will see 'modern minimallism' with an industrial twist (metals, light fixtures etc) emerge in more urban areas. And in more suburban areas we will see Farmhouse continue but evolve to incorpate brighter colors and themes. 

  • Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 861 posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    I dont know if this answers the original question, since it isn't really a decor style.... but if I was an investor in the "micro apartment" developments being built in various cities including my own, I would worry.

    With the whole "social distancing" thing, I think it is now much less appealing to live in a shoebox stacked up among tons of other shoeboxes, when the natural density of the area makes that unnecessary and somewhat unusual. 

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 300 posts · 417 votes
    6y

    @Colin Stuart definitely has a point. All trends will run their course. Even when a large population agrees that a trend has been overdone, it's still going to take time for it to filter down through all the channels before it dies out. 

    From what I've seen, the point when large influential cities and stylish wealthier neighborhoods begin to let go of a trend, is often when many small midwest neighborhoods and towns are only just beginning to jump on that trend bandwagon, or at least are still running their course with the trend. 

    I'd also argue that a trend never really completely dies, because at least some part of the trend will get picked up and recycled/re-imagined years down the road. 

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.