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In an increasingly complex world, our homes are our refuge. The choices we make for our surroundings — styles, colors and surfaces — are a reflection of what we value and are anything but frivolous. Considering the financial investment and the impact of our home environment on our personal well-being, it’s important to get it right.  

Comstock’s consulted several prominent interior designers in the Capital Region to get their take on current trends, as well as how they create a home that feels both timeless and fresh. Their clients hail from Tahoe, Napa, San Francisco and New York, but the bulk of their business is centered in some of the fastest growing areas of the Capital Region: Granite Bay, Loomis, El Dorado Hills and Yuba City, in addition to downtown Sacramento.

What is a trend anyway? 

Although the word “trend” can have a negative connotation as something transitory, Danica Gadeken, owner of online interior design resource Nadine Stay, sees it differently. “Trends are simply styles that are popular right now. Some trends are timeless, and some trends are fads.”

“If we have seen it repeatedly or consistently throughout history,” Gadeken explains, “it’s most likely a timeless element.” She proposes exploring ways in which classic design elements can be reinterpreted for a new age. White kitchens and subway tile, she says, are classic features that may have been overdone in recent years and can recede in popularity “when people become tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.” But, she says, it’s safe to say that those features will come back around.  

Aimee Griffin, of Aimee Griffin Interiors in Roseville, adds, “Sometimes when a designer tires of a look, it feels like it’s done before it actually is. White walls, gold accents, black faucets have become so homogenized on social media that it feels cookie-cutter, and I feel it’s on its way out.” Griffin calls this look (commonly referred to as “modern farmhouse”) the “Tuscan of today.”  

The notable exception, designers agree, is when the style suits the architecture of the home. In that case, it is always appropriate. “Any style, when you take it out of its natural (environment), will look very trendy and out of place,” says Gadeken. While prioritizing the needs of the client, designers say the home’s setting must be considered. 

Miche Victoria, of Miche Victoria Interior Design in Roseville, says, “I make it very personal to the client and their preferences,” while also staying true to the home’s architectural style.  Victoria incorporates trends “in small doses” but finds that a mix is more timeless. “I love mixing antiques and vintage items with modern elements.”

When trying to emulate a particular trend — think buzzwords like biophilic, japandi, cottagecore or the wildly popular midcentury modern — Christin Balzer, owner and principal designer at Haven Studios in Sacramento, counsels, “Proceed with caution.” In Sacramento, however, where many midcentury-style homes were built in the 1950s and ‘60s, she notes that midcentury modern interiors should be embraced. 

But with trends in general, it’s best to practice restraint.

Sometimes, going against them entirely is the best solution for a client’s lifestyle. Balzer recalls a client and their family who rarely utilized their Tahoe vacation home. She determined that the floorplan was limiting socialization and designed a more open concept. “It’s actually opposite to the trend I’m seeing,” says Balzer, referencing a post-pandemic shift towards more defined spaces. Regardless, the family now visits the home more often and enjoys entertaining there. 

Kamran Baghestanian, founder and president of Urban 57 Home Décor & Design in East Sacramento, finds that along with midcentury modern decor, he still sees a lot of interest in the modern farmhouse style, which he attributes to the Capital City’s agricultural heritage. But overall, he has witnessed a transition to a “more clean and modern” aesthetic.

Unlike trends in the fashion world, interior design trends tend to stick around much longer, says Victoria, with a major shift occurring about every seven to 10 years. “We are having a shift right now,” she says. “There is a trend away from minimalism and all-white spaces. … Modern maximalism is having a moment,” with more florals, patterns, wallpaper and classic elements like beadboard and wainscoting. Colors are warmer and bolder, such as brown, terra-cotta and warm beige, as well as deep jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue. But primarily, “We’re seeing a lot more natural elements, fiber and stone. … We’re beginning to see more upholstered walls and furniture with soft edges and curves,” she adds.

Baghestanian agrees. “Natural and organic materials are becoming very popular. People are prioritizing sustainability and personal expression, comfort and wellness. They want to come home to something calming … cozy and stylish.” Baghestanian sees a swing toward warmer shades, such as soft beiges, taupes, warm whites, muted greens and blues. The ubiquitous grey that has been predominant for the last 10 years is gone. “It’s had a long run,” he says. “We’re seeing a resurgence in warmer wood tones, like walnut and cherry.”   

Griffin has observed more layering and warmth, even in modern design. “There seems to be a return to classical elements in furniture and in architecture, more of an appreciation for detail.” She adds that she’s currently using saturated hues to envelope a room in rich, dark color, juxtaposed with a lighter room, in what she calls “day versus night” rooms. Other designers similarly extol “color-drenching,” in which all surfaces in a room (walls, moldings, trim and ceiling) are variations of a single color in different sheens, used to dramatic effect. 

Not surprisingly, the pandemic significantly influenced the interior design industry. Some elements, such as supply chain issues and a frenzy of home improvement projects, were only fleeting, while others, such as increased costs and the emphasis on comfort, seem here to stay. 

Balzer has witnessed an uptick in “wellness bathrooms” and home gyms, along with a rise in “conversation areas, rather than a living room that just centers around a TV.” Wellness features may include “a more spa-like experience, such as a sauna or steam shower if space allows, or access to outside from a primary bathroom to a hot tub or cold plunge to bring that connection (with nature) in.” 

Baghestanian adds, “We saw a shift in priorities. People wanted more functional, multi-purpose spaces and home offices.” Refreshing outdoor areas to extend living spaces also became a priority, along with increased demand for smart home technology.  

Renovating for greater returns 

The JLC (Journal of Light Construction) publishes an annual report detailing the home improvement projects with the greatest return on investment by city. For Sacramento in 2024, only two interior improvements are listed (exterior “curb appeal” projects make up the rest). Sacramento area ROIs exceed the national average, with kitchen — followed by bathroom renovations — ranking highest on ROI. 

“It’s always been that way,” says Steve Casci, owner of Casci DesignWorks in West Sacramento. “The kitchen is the most important room. It’s going to sell your house when you put it on the market, and it’s going to keep you there if it’s designed for your needs and comfort.” 

With 45 years of experience in the kitchen design industry, Casci knows the cyclical nature of trends. Green shades and more color in general are especially on-trend for kitchens, having evolved from the “avocado era” of the 1970s. Copper fixtures, too, are having a resurgence, along with tile in a multitude of shapes, patterns and textures, which are being applied all the way up to the ceiling in both kitchens and baths.  

For countertops, designers report a preference for natural stone, such as quartzite or the heavily veined Calacatta viola marble, in honed or leathered finishes which they say feel softer and more classic. Says Victoria, natural stones like marble are “for the brave and lover of character, but people are more open to that now.” Porcelain countertops are a new trend, says Casci, and he loves their “indestructible” nature and the ability to manipulate color to what is needed in a project.

Metal fixtures and hardware also tend to be less shiny, with matte and satin finishes in high demand. Victoria prefers a mix of metals, such as brass with brushed nickel, to add more interest and sophistication.
Bold and interesting lighting adds drama and personality to a space.

Both Casci and Balzer recommend a layered approach. Balzer notes, “There is a place for recessed lights, such as certain task zones. … But in general it’s nicer to have layers of light. Mood lighting, like sconces … are like a nice jewelry piece.” Casci says new applications in lighting, such as under-cabinet “toe kicks,” staircase lighting and pantries that light up upon entry are “fun and create a lot of ambience.”

Where to invest (and where to save)

The money spent on home improvements can be significant. With so many variables and choices to be made, knowing what to prioritize can seem daunting. Hiring an interior designer can provide valuable insight and help avoid costly mistakes, saving clients money in the long run. While priorities are tailored to the needs and lifestyle of the individual client, designers do advocate for certain guiding principles.

In the kitchen, Casci advises prioritizing appliances. Brands such as Sub-Zero and Miele, he says, have all metal parts and will last 20-30 years. Likewise, cabinets should be built to last. “Counters, flooring and lighting can be updated more easily without having to tear apart your whole kitchen,” he says. To save money, Casci recommends working in phases over time. It’s better to add the flooring later, he says, rather than “compromising integrity or design details.”

For living areas, Baghestanian says, “Start with the rug.” He recommends avoiding “fast furniture” and cookie-cutter design, while putting the emphasis on artisan pieces and quality. “I always say it’s going to hurt either way. Either you buy inexpensive and have to buy it multiple times, or you buy it one time, and it just hurts once.”

Balzer says she would never recommend furnishing an entire house with products from just one vendor, as it risks looking like a showroom, which changes seasonally and becomes outdated quickly. “I would always want to do something that’s more individual and personalized, from different brands. A mixture stands the test of time so much better.”

Griffin stresses the importance of a good foundation: smooth walls, large, quality windows and doors. “All of the things that are part of the architectural integrity of the house you have to get right, because you don’t want to change those — ever.” The “bones,” she says, should be good for 20-plus years and the upholstery for 15 years. Referring to pillows, plants and accessories, she says, “Change the lipstick and nail polish … to give it a fresh face. Those things you can change seasonally and inexpensively. Think through what you love so that it will last a long time. We have a responsibility to our planet not to have disposable design.”

Perhaps in the end, it’s all subjective. Balzer acknowledges, “Personal style is timeless. People should trust what they are personally drawn to and what is meaningful to them rather than just doing what the neighbor is doing.”  

Gadeken adds, “The mix of styles is what makes a timeless home. Create your own story. It will last longer.” 

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