When it comes to home design trends, they’re hard to resist. The scroll-stopping images. The promise of something fresh and exciting. It’s easy to fall for design trends that look amazing in magazines or on Pinterest. But the real test? Living with them every day. We believe your home should support your lifestyle, not add stress to it. Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of design choices that shine in photos but struggle in real life.
Today, I’m sharing five popular design trends that are more work than they’re worth, and what I recommend instead.
Before we get started, hi! I’m Michelle, CEO and Principal Designer at Room Service Interiors. We work with homeowners throughout Cochrane, Calgary, Bearspaw, and surrounding areas to help them create homes that reflect their stories and experiences. As a full-service interior design studio, we specialize in thoughtful, personalized spaces that blend function with beauty.
Is True Marble Worth It? A Closer Look at This Design Trend
Marble is one of those classic design trends that never seems to go out of style. It’s elegant, luminous, and instantly elevates a space. But in a busy kitchen, it can be surprisingly hard to live with.
Even everyday ingredients like lemon juice, tomato sauce, and olive oil can stain or etch the surface. Red wine is especially unforgiving. Marble scratches easily and needs regular sealing to protect it. Some homeowners are okay with the natural patina that forms over time, but many find the constant maintenance exhausting.
If you love the look of marble, I suggest going with engineered quartz or quartzite. Both mimic the beautiful veining of natural stone while being much easier to care for. You can also reserve marble for low-use areas, such as a butler’s pantry, a small coffee bar, or an accent backsplash, where it won’t take a daily beating.
Want a home that adapts as life changes? Read our room-by-room approach.
Ultra-Glossy & Glass-Everything Bathrooms Here
This is one of those design trends that always looks incredible in photos. A glass shower wall, glossy tiles, and high-shine finishes can make a bathroom feel sleek, clean, and modern. But behind that sparkle is a lot of maintenance.
Glass shows everything. Water spots, soap scum, and fingerprints appear quickly, especially with hard water. Glossy surfaces need regular wiping to stay streak-free. What starts as a spa-like retreat can soon feel like a full-time cleaning job.
Instead, try a few simple swaps:
Use matte or lightly textured finishes. They still feel upscale but do a better job at hiding smudges.
Choose clear glass panels with minimal framing instead of full glass tile walls.
This approach keeps the light and airy feel, without the constant upkeep.
Fully Committing to a Hyper-Themed Aesthetic
Some design trends are so tempting because they tell a strong story. Whether it’s farmhouse charm, coastal calm, or Parisian café vibes, themed interiors create a clear mood. But when a space is built entirely around a single idea, it can start to feel limiting, and even outdated, sooner than you expect.
I’ve worked with many clients who loved a theme at first but quickly grew tired of it. When every piece of furniture, fixture, and finish follows one concept, there’s little room to grow. And as personal taste evolves, a themed space can be tricky (and expensive) to update.
The solution is to use themed elements more sparingly. Bring in the feeling or influence you love through artwork, lighting, or textiles, but build the room itself with transitional pieces. A balanced, flexible foundation gives you the freedom to shift styles over time without having to start from scratch.
Curious about what’s next in design? Take a peek at the trends we’re watching for 2026.
The Downside of Open Concept Design Trends
Open-concept living is one of the most popular design trends of the past few years. It creates a space that feels bright, social, and easy to navigate. But when everything is too open, it can lead to a few common challenges:
Furniture Layout Becomes Tricky, with fewer walls to anchor seating or define zones.
Noise Travels Easily, making it hard to relax or focus in shared spaces.
Kitchen Mess is Always Visible, which can make the whole space feel cluttered.
Lack of Privacy makes it harder to find a quiet moment or retreat.
That doesn’t mean you need to close everything off. Instead, I recommend soft divisions that keep the flow open but add structure, such as:
Partial walls or ceiling changes
Custom built-ins or open shelving
Thoughtful furniture placement that defines zones without blocking light
These small shifts help maintain that open feel while giving each area a clear purpose. The result is a home that feels connected, comfortable, and easier to live in.
A smoother renovation starts with the proper support. Here’s why.
Prioritizing Style Over Function
This might be the most common pitfall of all. It’s easy to get swept up in design trends that look amazing on social media. But what you don’t always see are the daily frustrations that come with a space that prioritizes form over function.
I’ve seen gorgeous kitchens with no pantry, bathrooms with poor lighting, and vanities that look beautiful but don’t store anything. A home that looks great but doesn’t work the way you need it to can quickly lead to regret.
That’s why I always start with how you live. Where do you spend time? What needs better flow or storage? Once we understand your routines and priorities, we can design a space that works beautifully and looks even better. Smart storage, thoughtful lighting, and comfortable layouts are what make great design last.
The Real Test of Any Design Trend
Most design trends have real appeal, especially when they’re new, exciting, and all over your inspiration boards. They promise a fresh start and an updated look, but before you commit, it’s worth slowing down and asking a few key questions.
How will this feel in five years? Will it still support your lifestyle? Will it be easy to care for, or will it add more to your to-do list? Trends may spark ideas, but they don’t always tell the whole story. The reality of living with a design choice is often different from how it looks in a photo. That’s why it’s so important to think beyond appearances.
Great design isn’t just about that first “wow” moment. It’s about how a space works, how it feels, and how it supports your daily life. Comfort, ease, and lasting enjoyment, that’s the true measure of a home that’s well designed. When a space is both beautiful and functional, it just feels right. Every single day.
With the kids gone, it’s the perfect time to reimagine your home for the way you live now. See why this stage is ideal for a renovation.
Design Trends That Work for the Long Haul
Design trends can spark creativity and help you define your style, but they’re only one part of the story. A well-designed home considers how you truly live, day in and day out. When beauty and function work together, your home becomes more than just a reflection of what’s popular. It becomes a place that feels good, supports your routines, and stands the test of time.
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation in Cochrane, Bearspaw, Springbank, or Calgary, we’d love to chat about how we can help you bring your renovation dreams to life. Give us a call at (403) 860-5901, email us at he***@******************rs.ca, or learn more about our team here. Let’s turn your vision into a space you’ll love—one thoughtful choice at a time!
Until next time,
Michelle xx
