In the digital age, interior design trends spread rapidly on social media, but not all have lasting appeal. Interior designer Bee Janaye from Diary of a Home Designer has warned against two particular trends that she believes homeowners will regret within a few years.
First, Bee advises against wall panelling in new build properties. 'Wall panelling in new builds. Yes, even this type,' she said in a TikTok video, showing an alternative where the entire wall is covered in smaller panelling from floor to ceiling. 'It had its moment three years ago, let it go,' she added.
Second, she criticises the overuse of LED lighting, including LED coving, LED strips on stairs, and behind televisions. While LEDs have become a viral sensation, Bee contends they can undermine a room's visual appeal if not positioned carefully. She recommends ambient, layered lighting through floor, wall, and ceiling lamps instead.
Other trends Bee cautions against include black bathroom fixtures, which show limescale easily and require high maintenance; cheap interior doors, which are often hollow and less durable; sliding barn doors instead of pocket doors, which are more space-saving; and matching all wood finishes, which can create a bland, basic space.
