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I write a lot about design trends<\/a>, and I\u2019ve learned that just because something is trending doesn\u2019t mean you *have* to like it or follow suit. And the opposite is true, too: It\u2019s okay to love decor choices that have been deemed decidedly not trendy.<\/p>\n There are a few tropes in design that have long been labeled \u201ctacky\u201d by the masses, but many modern-day designers have made a name for themselves by intentionally subverting those traditional conventions. Taste and style are, after all, subjective; and sometimes, all it takes to totally flip the script from \u201ctacky\u201d to \u201ctrendy\u201d are a few designers who aren\u2019t afraid to think outside the box.<\/p>\n So I spoke to a few of those brave designers to find out which traditionally tacky trends<\/a> they\u2019ve been embracing. You might be surprised by just how chic \u201ctacky\u201d can be (when executed tastefully, of course)!<\/p>\n Bold, Glossy Finishes<\/p>\n A lot of people think glossy finishes can read too shiny or flashy, says Linda Hayslett, principal designer of LH.Designs Inc.<\/a> But Hayslett loves them, as long as they\u2019re done well. \u201cA lacquered surface can reflect light beautifully and make a space feel more polished and intentional,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Ariana Lovato, owner and principal designer at Honeycomb Home Design<\/a>, agrees, specifically calling out a love of high-gloss tile. It can veer into tacky territory when overused, she explains, but \u201cin a small bathroom or kitchen backsplash, it reflects light beautifully. A simple shape in a soft color turns it into a subtle shimmer instead of a statement,\u201d Lovato says.<\/p>\n Credit: \u00a9 living4media \/ M\u00f6ller, Cecilia<\/p>\n Statement Wallpaper<\/p>\n Wallpaper can feel like an overwhelming design decision \u2014 it\u2019s expensive, and can be a lot of work to install, so your instinct might be to play it safe with subtle, neutral colors and patterns. But Hayslett sees wallpaper as large-format artwork, and says it gives a room a clear point-of-view. \u201cI\u2019d always rather walk into a space that makes a statement than one that plays it safe,\u201d she says. So for your next wallpaper project, embrace bolder patterns or brighter colors \u2014 if you\u2019re still afraid to commit, you can always try peel-and-stick for easy removal!<\/p>\n Placement is important too when it comes to wallpaper \u2014 and a room\u2019s four walls aren\u2019t the only places worth making a statement, according to Lovato. Wallpapering the ceiling is one fresh take on the formerly \u201ctacky\u201d trend: \u201cEveryone forgets about the \u2018fifth\u2019 wall, but it is SOOOO important!\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s a controlled moment of drama that makes the whole space feel considered.\u201d<\/p>\n Animal Print<\/p>\n Animal print has had a long and tumultuous history, bouncing from luxurious to tacky throughout the ages. But right now, animal print is definitely back \u201cin,\u201d says Jennifer Beget, founder and principal designer of J Beget Designs<\/a>. \u201cAnimal prints are [like] a neutral color\/pattern to designers!\u201d They can make a statement (e.g., a tiger print area rug in a living room) or add a fun accent in a smaller way (e.g., small cheetah print pillows on lounge chairs) to an otherwise simple space, she says.<\/p>\n Credit: Fernando Bengoechea\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Gold Finishes<\/p>\n Warm finishes like gold and brass have been dismissed as gaudy for decades. They\u2019ve been relegated to the \u201980s, and largely abandoned in favor of satin nickel, matte black, and chrome finishes. But Lovato says these warmer finishes can bring so much depth to a room. \u201cWhen the undertone is soft and the silhouette is simple, gold reads as elevated, not flashy,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not ready to go for gold in your bathroom or kitchen yet, try swapping out knobs on some of your furniture, or adding in a brass lamp first. Little accents can go a long way!<\/p>\n Matching Furniture Sets<\/p>\n Matching furniture sets get a bad rap for being outdated, and not for nothing. But Hayslett thinks that a *few* strategic matching pieces can actually make a room feel more tailored and put-together \u2014 at least when the pieces are well-designed, that is. \u201cSometimes consistency is exactly what gives a space its strength,\u201d she told me. You might try upholstering different pieces with the same fabric, or simply matching accent chairs. It\u2019s all about balance with this approach.<\/p>\n Velvet<\/p>\n In recent years, velvet has been on the outs. The once-luxurious fabric was tossed to the curb in favor of boucl\u00e9 and chenille. It might be because velvet can look cheap when mass-produced, but when done right it\u2019s still absolutely stunning. Beget says this material, especially colored velvet (think: electric blue or deep burgundy), is in high demand again. She asserts that velvet will always be a luxe fabric for designers to incorporate with things like throw pillows, an upholstered bed, or even an entire sofa.<\/p>\n Design Defined<\/p>\n Never miss the style inspo and recommendations you crave with Design Defined. Follow along each week as our Home Director Danielle shares the best style advice, latest trends, and popular decor finds you just can’t miss.<\/p>\n Subscribe to Apartment Therapy!<\/a><\/p>\n Further Reading<\/p>\n The Best Portable Air Conditioners for Your Apartment<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Hallway](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d5173188a09320908fd51681da0f2682.jpeg\"\/)
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