"Like, maybe higher-quality fixtures or finishes age better even if they're trendy at first."
I get what you're saying, but honestly, I think quality materials only go so far. Sure, solid wood cabinets or real stone countertops will hold up better physically, but if the style itself screams "2010s trend," it's still gonna look dated eventually. Remember those super high-end brass fixtures everyone was putting in bathrooms a few years back? They were expensive and well-made, but now they just look like a time capsule from 2015.
I've owned a couple of older homes myself, and I've noticed that the ones that aged best weren't necessarily the ones with the fanciest materials—they were the ones with timeless design choices. Simple lines, neutral colors, classic layouts...those things don't scream a particular decade. On the other hand, I've seen houses with top-notch materials that still lost value because their style was too specific to a certain era. Like my neighbor's kitchen—beautiful marble counters and custom cabinetry, but the ornate detailing and overly elaborate backsplash tiles make it feel stuck in the early 2000s.
Maintenance definitely matters too, though. Even trendy stuff can look decent if it's kept in pristine condition. But realistically, most people don't have the time or energy to constantly maintain every little detail perfectly. Life happens, wear and tear happens, and suddenly that trendy fixture you splurged on looks worn out and outdated.
So yeah, quality helps—but I'd argue that style choices have a bigger impact on long-term value than materials alone. If you're thinking about resale or just want your home to feel fresh longer, I'd lean toward timeless over trendy every single time.
Fair point about timeless design, but honestly, I've seen some trendy stuff circle back around. My parents' mid-century furniture looked super dated in the '90s, but now it's stylish again. Sometimes trends come full circle...maybe quality helps them survive long enough to become cool again?
Yeah, that's a good point—quality definitely seems key. But do you think it's always predictable what'll circle back? I mean, mid-century furniture had solid craftsmanship going for it, but I've seen other trends (remember inflatable furniture in the early 2000s?) that I doubt will ever make a comeback... or will they? Maybe some things are just too niche or impractical to survive long enough for nostalgia to kick in.
"remember inflatable furniture in the early 2000s?"
Haha, oh man, inflatable furniture... that takes me back. Honestly though, can you imagine anyone seriously investing in vintage inflatable chairs in 20 years? I'm not so sure. Quality definitely matters, but I think practicality is a big factor too. Trends like mid-century furniture stick around because they're functional and durable, even decades later. Inflatable couches, on the other hand, were fun until your cat punctured them or you accidentally sat down with keys in your pocket (true story). Do you think maybe some trends are just too gimmicky or fragile to ever really bounce back, no pun intended? Or could they surprise us—like vinyl records did when everyone thought they were done for good?
Haha, inflatable furniture was definitely a short-lived thing. I remember helping a friend move once, and he proudly showed off his "living room set"—all inflatable. We laughed until we realized we had nowhere comfortable to sit after hauling boxes all day. Honestly, some trends just don't age well because they're not practical enough to survive daily life. Vinyl came back because it offered something tangible and lasting... inflatable chairs, not so much.
