The definition of a trend is a general direction in which something is developing or changing. In the world of interior design, trends are constantly changing. Decor that was “in” is now suddenly on it’s way “out” and vice versa! In this Talking Points: Home Decor Trends, students will explore current home decor trends and then create a moodboard for a specific room that incorporates the trends in a cohesive manner.

Set

• Ask students to participate in a “Google Race” to define the term “trend”.
• Ask students why trends come and go? This web-article titled, “Where do design trends come from?” offers reasons for this.

Materials

• iPads or Laptops
• Projector & Screen
• Roomstyler Website

Activities

• Begin by having students explore current decor trends–for this lesson there are ten based on this resource titled, “Top 10 Home Decor Trends” (note: these can be updated yearly as trends change). Depending on your class size, there are two ways to do this.
• Option #1 is for the smaller classes and it utilizes the “Flash Slide”. Assign each student a decor trend (there are 10) to create a single flash slide around that answers the following:
  • Name of the trend?
  • What item(s) is/are used in the trend?
  • Why is it trending?
  • What are the benefits of this trend?
  • What are the drawbacks of this trend?
  • Image related to the trend
• Randomly assign each student a trend and give them the corresponding section of the article (see below) to complete their flash slide around.
• Students must present and take notes on each other’s trends. After all of the trends are presented, students must answer the following exit prompts:
  • Which 3 home decor trends would you consider trying if you were designing a room? Briefly explain why for each trend.
  • Which 3 home decor trends would you never incorporate if you were designing a room? Briefly explain why for each trend.
  • Which trend(s) do you think will be the biggest hit? Provide a brief explanation of why.
• Option #2 is for larger classes and utilizes stations.
• Set up stations around the room by laying out the specific section of trend information (cut apart the article–see below). Students will circulate the room and complete their notes form where they must identify the trend, give answers to the prompts and sketch a corresponding illustration.
• After all notes have been taken, students answer the same exit prompts as above.
• Once all the notes are complete, assign the Roomstyler Moodboard Project.
• Students must select one of the following rooms within a house: living room or bedroom and design a digital mood board, using Roomstyler. The mood board should include a minimum of six (6) home decor trends, but can include all ten (10). See the guide sheet for details.
• Optional Follow-Up: Gallery Walk Follow-Up & Exit Prompt
  • Option #1: Students use their ipads or laptops to display mood boards for other students to circulate, view and evaluate.
  • Option #2: Print digital mood board designs out in color and display for other students to circulate, view and evaluate.
  • Option #3: Students upload their digital mood board designs to Padlet for a virtual gallery walk and evaluation.
• As students are working through the gallery walk, they are to view the mood boards and answer the prompts for each on the Evaluation Sheet (see below and make copies to accommodate your class size).

Attachments

• Home Decor Trend Flash Slide Directions (PDF)
• Home Decor Trends Cut Apart Article Sections (PDF)
• Home Decor Trends Notes (PDF)
• Roomstyler Moodboard Project ( PDF)
• Gallery Walk Evaluation & Exit Prompt (PDF)