Home Home Decor Ideas 4 Home Decor "Trends" That Are Here to Stay By Melissa Locker Melissa Locker Melissa Locker writes about food, drinks, culture, gardening, and the joys of Waffle House Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on March 23, 2018 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Alison Gootee When it comes to home design some things are classic (light grey walls, hardwood floors) while some trends come and go (harvest green appliances, anyone?). Sometimes interior design ideas that seem like just another passing fancy of designers and *ahem* magazine editors turn out to be a style that is built to last. Here are four home décor "trends" that we think are here to stay: 01 of 04 Open Plan Spaces Hector Manuel Sanchez If you have sat through a marathon of Property Brothers episodes then you probably know that these days almost every homebuyer—or home remodeler—wants an open plan house. Even just a few years ago people still liked to have separate kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. Now, many modern homes have one multi-purpose room that lets people in the kitchen keep an eye on the goings-on in the living room. As open-plan houses have become more common people realize that being able to see what is happening in every room is both inclusive and a godsend to hosts wanting to be included in the party and parents with busy toddlers. That's why this practical layout is undoubtedly here to stay. 02 of 04 Quartz Countertops Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller When you are working in a kitchen, rolling out pie crust or peeling potatoes, you'll spend a lot of time looking at your kitchen counters. That's why choosing the right countertop is so important. Over the last few decades of Southern kitchen style, countertop trends have come and gone like Formica, granite, and Corian. One trend that seems here to stay, though, is quartz. The eye-catching material is blends quartz with resins elegant and sleek, without feeling cold. It comes in a variety of colors, styles, and finishes and works with almost any color scheme, meaning there's almost always a quartz that will work with your dream kitchen design. However, the main attraction for people seems to be quartz's durability. Quartz is stain and scratch resistant, non-porous, anti-microbial, and very low maintenance. Those are all big pluses, because when you find a kitchen countertop you love in a timeless style, you'll definitely want it to last a lifetime. 03 of 04 Farmhouse Chic Alison Gootee Whether you buy your tomatoes at the farmstand that's just down the road, or pick up tomatoes at the Publix in the big city, farmhouse chic appeals to many Southerners. Whether using reclaimed wood on the walls, barn doors to separate rooms, or a farmhouse table in the dining room, this trend is flexible and comfortable. Mixing and matching is the only rule of farmhouse chic, although wood pieces, vintage lighting, and simple wall treatments tend to make regular appearances. Farmhouse style also means pairing bright colors and traditional patterns with lighter neutrals for an effect that is warm and welcoming, without looking sloppy. Farmhouse chic is also a fun décor for anyone who has been wanting to bring out a beloved auntie's farm table or who loves flea markets or yard sales, where it's easy to find new treasure to add to your home. 04 of 04 Green Spaces Hector Manuel Sanchez If you're a gardener or even a regular at your local florist, you know the joy that greenery can bring to a home. Plants and flowers add a pop of color and a breath of fresh air to interiors that is hard to replicate any other way. Gardening isn't just for people with backyards and floral budgets, either. Grow a ficus in your living room, create a permanent centerpiece of succulents, add some flowing ivy vines in your kitchen, add a miniature topiary or a creeping fig in the bathroom. Spend your free time building delicate fairy gardens (or mermaid gardens) to line your kitchen windows, grow herbs in the windowsill. or fill your balcony with a tiny garden. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit