This isn’t a list of ‘design crimes’. Every one of these looks was popular for a reason, and if you love them, keep them. But these are the ideas I’ve personally moved away from, and what I’m doing instead.

All-grey everything

Grey floors, grey sofa, grey walls. It felt safe and modern for a long time, but a whole room in cool grey can feel cold, especially in a northern winter. Instead: keep a grey sofa if you have one, but warm the room around it with wood, cream textiles, brass and plants.

High-gloss, all-white rooms

The super-glossy, all-white living room photographs beautifully but can feel more like a showroom than a home. Instead: try layered whites — chalky walls, cream linen, white oak, matte ceramics. Same light, airy feeling, much more warmth.

Word art

Signs that tell you to ‘gather’ or ‘relax’ have had a good run. Instead: let the room say it. A comfortable chair and a good lamp invite you to relax far more convincingly.

Matching furniture sets

The sofa-loveseat-armchair set, all in the same fabric. Instead: mix. Pair your sofa with a chair in a different material, or a vintage find. Rooms that are collected over time always look more interesting.

Let your home evolve rather than arrive all at once.

ChicFormat

The thread through all of these: moving away from rooms that look ‘done’ in one shopping trip, towards rooms that feel layered, warm and personal. That’s a trend I hope never goes out of style.