All avid decorating fans love to flip through the newest design magazines and consult collaborative idea websites, like Pinterest & Houzz, to absorb as many ideas as possible.  We all see those stunning homes that make for beautiful photos, but are they as practical as we would hope?  Here is a list of stylish home trends that we adore and the pros and cons of living with them.  Do they work for you?

The Kitchen:

Color-blocked open shelving is clean, understated, and down-right gorgeous.  But how practical is it to display your everyday dishes?

Image: Pinterest

Image: House of Turquoise

Image: Centsational Girl

Pros:

• Creates visual interest
• Easy access to dishware
• Open and airy design concept
  

Cons:

• Not as easily managed as behind the door storage
• Constant consideration for where things belong
• Creates a higher level of maintenance for cleaning

The Living Room:

Animal hide rugs are a great choice for an elegant look, but how practical are they for a high traffic area such as the living room?

Image: Fleaing Foxes

Image: Iced Coffee&Peonies

Image: Pinterest

 Pros:

• A stylish and luxurious look
• Versatile, as they can be paired with any style
• Creates a warm and cozy atmosphere
• Adds an asymmetrical element with the skewed shape

Cons:

• Typically there is no backing which makes for a trip/slip hazard
• Mixed reviews on cleaning instructions. Some websites have a long list of care considerations, where others claim their product is low maintenance. Ensure the care instructions will be feasible to maintain prior to making a purchase.

Lucite has been around since the early 1930’s, and hit an all-time high in furniture design in the 1980’s.  It is a resin based material, which today, is available in many forms and colors.  Despite its popularity, does this material work for your coffee table for day-to-day life?

Image: DecorPad

Image: Vinteriors

Image: Matters of Style

 Pros:

• Limitless design for all types of spaces, and furniture arrangements, because of the “floating” visual affect
• Introduces a new material into the space other than wood stained and painted tables
• Blends into the space allowing for emphasis on other pieces in the room

Cons:

• Lucite is an easy to scratch material, and because of the clear finish, those scratches become very apparent
• Collects and shows dust quickly
• They do not typically offer any storage

The Bathroom:

Open-concept shelving in the bathroom has a similar list of considerations as the kitchen.  However, in the bathroom, a whole different array of products are on display.  Does this look make an organized statement or create a high maintenance space?

Image: Casa Decorada

Image: Watermelon Fizz

Image: Houzz

Pros:

• Offers visual interest with baskets, crates, jars and other interesting containers
• Creates a spa-like atmosphere
• Easy access to towels, washcloths, and linens

Cons:

• Delicate balance between what should/should not be on display
• Folding & organization quickly becomes an integral design necessity to maintain a spotless appearance

Since spring is upon us, now is a great time to begin brainstorming ways to freshen up your home!  These trends are all unique and easy ways to liven up and re-organize the most frequently used spaces in the home. Looking at all sides of the pretty and practical elements of these trends helps to identify if they are a good fit for you and your family.     

Brought to you by Cottage Home – specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables