Before we design a space, we collect ideas. We wander through showrooms, admire friends’ homes, and leaf through magazines in search of elements that resonate with us. Each item we select, a wall color, a cozy nook, a piece of art, evokes a feeling we want in our living space: excitement, comfort, or inspiration. 

But what happens if the items we love don’t fit neatly into one design style?

The beauty of current home design lies in its freedom and fluidity; it doesn’t force us to squeeze our likes and dislikes into a single time period or aesthetic. Instead, this year’s trends encourage harmony between the old and the new, fusing traditional elements like wainscoting, ornate fixtures, and classic wallpapers with modern trends in color, technology, and function. It’s an invitation to curate spaces that feel deeply personal and timeless, to explore home design without limits.

The key to achieving a warm, inviting room, regardless of style, is layering and texture. Trends this year included fluted glass, wood detailing like beadboard and wainscoting, velvet upholstery, and layered area rugs. Natural fibers like rattan, wicker, or bouclé fabrics in furniture pieces and decor add dimension and warmth, seamlessly blending a variety of styles.

The design team at Semmelmann Interiors is skilled at layering design elements to create a sophisticated look. Their signature style, “organic glamour”, combines high-end textiles like custom drapery and upholstery, produced in their Fort Worth studio, with natural elements like stone and wood to create spaces that feel both personalized and luxurious. A standout example from their portfolio is “The Ashanti”, where neutral tones are elevated with textures like woven rugs, leather furniture, and wooden architectural features.

As open concept floor plans give way to more intimate, defined areas, designers are taking the opportunity to craft bold statements in smaller areas. Bathrooms and laundry rooms have become popular locations for striking wall colors, color drenching — where the walls, trim and ceiling are all painted the same color — or an excuse to use a detailed wallpaper that might overwhelm a larger space. Adding rich, saturated colors or eye-catching patterns to these often-overlooked spaces transforms them into focal points that bring character and depth to the home.

Colorful or patterned tiling is another way to add a standout feature to a small space. Bottega Design Gallery, a boutique studio specializing in high-quality tile and stone, offers a curated selection of handcrafted materials that can be viewed at their West Fort Worth showroom. Their portfolio includes a variety of bold bathroom tiles, unique backsplashes, and decorative floor designs, showing tiles can not only be functional but also serve as artistic statements.

When it comes to curating finishing touches, focus is shifting towards vintage and secondhand decor. People are looking for unique pieces with history to add character and charm to their homes. Reclaimed materials like vintage doors and antique fireplace mantels add instant depth, while vintage art and gallery walls create a collected, personalized feel. Incorporating these elements is a way of adding stories to a space making it feel more lived-in and loved.

For Fort Worth residents looking for collected and vintage high-end pieces, luxury home furnishing boutique Cacti and Crescent is a treasure trove. The store blends traditional and modern design elements, featuring a mix of transitional furniture, antiques, and artisan-made pieces sourced from both the Fort Worth and New Orleans areas. Vintage lamps, mirrors, and dishware are displayed among antique furniture, creating an inspiring shopping experience for sourcing those final details. These curated pieces can transform a house into a home by injecting warmth and character, making each space uniquely reflective of its owner’s personality.

To elevate finishing touches even more, smart home technology is a great way to incorporate comfort and functionality. Sound Ideas, a leader in home technology solutions, seamlessly merges the old and new with non-intrusive technology that enhances traditional aesthetics – whether it’s a lighting control system that illuminates bookshelves or a seamless home theater setup. Thoughtfully integrated technology can make spaces not only more comfortable but also more elegant by highlighting design features and allowing for intuitive control over the home environment.

Ultimately, home design today isn’t about adhering to trends or fitting into a preconceived mold. As we curate our spaces with intention — layering textures, embracing bold details, and incorporating technology that complements our style — we bring our vision of home to life in a way that feels timeless, inspiring, and distinctly ours.