Are Florals Dead? Or Are We Just Visually Burnt Out?
Blame politics and social media fatigue for this (again).
I have to admit, I haven’t heard much in the way of VIBES or TRENDS when it comes to floral patterns in the home lately. It’s like florals took a long vacation in 2021 and didn’t come back. Maybe they’re lounging somewhere on a rattan chaise in Palm Springs, sipping a cocktail, waiting for us to notice they’re missing? Or perhaps we’ve all been too consumed with political drama, Trump and the Muskateers, social media fatigue, or just plain old existential dread - so we’re not really thinking: You know what my living room really needs? A bunch of oversized flowers on the walls!
Floral patterns tend to come in waves. One minute, they’re having a moment (remember Orla Kiely, Cath Kidston, Shabby Chic, Laura Ashley), and then next, they’re as outdated as the Keep Calm print. Maybe our brains and eyes are just tired? Maybe we’re all subconsciously craving visual silence—beige everything, clean lines, a break from the chaos of the world? I mean, how many beige living rooms are we gonna see on Instagram before we realize people NEED beige on a deeply emotional level.
But regardless of trends, I think florals deserve a conversation. Because let’s be honest, they can be interesting and if anything, maybe some of us need to spend more time decorating and being creative at home and less time scrolling our phones.
Growing up, my house wasn’t exactly a floral wonderland. The closest thing we had to florals? My mom—a florist—who not only made lovely arrangements but also painted them on canvas. Our version of "decorative florals" was basically her art hanging on the walls, plus the occasional bouquet. Oh, and this one sofa.
If you’re a Golden Girls fan, you already know where this is going. Yes, that floral sofa. The one that looks like it was upholstered using your great-aunt’s drapes. We had one, and let’s just say, it left an impression.
No lie.
That is The Golden Girls sofa above and it was almost 100% our sofa minus the rattan. Ours was only fabric but the same exact color and pattern.
So, are florals due for a comeback? Should we embrace them with open arms (and open walls)? Or are they forever trapped in the category of things we appreciate in small doses —like disco balls, exposed brick (!), and that one friend who sends you way too many memes?
Floral prints are one of those decor elements that can go very right—or very, very wrong. Used wisely, florals can feel modern, fresh, and even a little daring. They can be artistic and interesting.
Used poorly? They can hurt your eyes. You may find yourself living in a time capsule of 1983, complete with ruffled curtains and a matching sofa slipcover.
So how do you strike the right balance? Well, it’s your lucky day because I happen to be am Interior Designer and have literally wrote books on this stuff so I’ll try to break it down.
Scale Matters (Don’t Let the Florals Eat the Room)
One oversized floral piece? Yes. A whole room covered in it? No. You’ll want to be strategic. Think: a stunning floral wallpaper as an accent, a beautifully upholstered floral chair, or some artful floral curtains that don’t scream bridal shower.
Very few people can get away with all floral rooms. Some can, yes, but very few. The very few usually ooze with style (and money) and know the exact recipe and have the right architecture to do it up and do it well. But again, it’s a rare few. The rest of us have to go easy. Gucci’s restaurant in Tokyo got it right. See for yourself:
Brittany from The House that Lars Built, is another one who can get away with all floral rooms. Look at this wallpaper - if you love bold, this is the way to do it.
Mix Florals with Solids and Textures
After seeing that image above, and the video from Paris, I’m ready to share my next point: If you’re worried florals will overwhelm your space, pair them with solids to let them breathe, like that blue wainscotting above with the floral wallpaper.
A floral pillow on a solid sofa? Lovely. A floral rug with neutral furniture? Beautiful. But floral curtains, floral bedding, and floral wallpaper all at once? That’s when you start seeing visions of lace doilies and suddenly crave a peppermint from a antique footed candy bowl.
Florals Can Be Artistic
Let’s get one thing straight—florals do not automatically mean granny style or antique shop. The key is choosing modern interpretations. Abstract florals, oversized prints, or even monochrome botanical sketches can give your space an edge.
Look at this amazing cafe (below) in Slovenia called Lolita Eipprova. It was designed by Andrej Mercina and Maja Humar from TRIIIJE during Corona and it’s artsy, cool - I LOVE THIS PLACE. I would love to go to Slovenia tomorrow just for a coffee there.
You can see photos below and even more here.
Modern with 70s Vibes
Currently, 70’s style is still slightly in style (at least here in Europe), so jump on that train until it leaves and have a little fun with 70’s prints - only keep them spare and neutral as 70’s patterns in modern neutrals fit today’s vibe but if you go to crazy with them in reds, yellows and flower power colors, they will feel dated - neutrals are better.
Unexpected Florals = A Win
The best way to make florals feel fresh? Put them where you least expect them. Florals can work in a way that surprises you—just don’t confine them to the obvious spots. Try a floral wallpaper in the guest bathroom or a large black and white floral print for a modern living room. A bold floral print above an entryway bench? Yes. A moody, dramatic floral wallpaper in a powder room? Stunning. Florals in a tiny bathroom (shown below)? YES PLEASE.
Oma’s Living Room or Timeless Classic?
Floral prints have been around forever, and for good reason—they bring softness, color, and a little joy into a space. The trick is making them work for you instead of against you. If you love florals but fear that they’ll date your room, or that they may affect your well-being, consider modern color palettes, clean lines, and unexpected pairings.
If you want the granny chic aesthetic—hey, lean in and go full English cottage, no judgment. But if you don’t, look for flowers that give you a happy, fresh vibe and make your space feel good to you.
At the end of the day, design is about personal style. And if you love something, you’ll make it work, right? There are no hard rules in my design playbook but it does help to follow some guidelines and see what works - play around, experiment.
One tip for this: Take a photo as you go - decorate a corner or a room and step back and photograph it. You can use a smartphone for this. Take the photo during the day so you have natural daylight on your side, and then look at the photo. This will help tremendously. The reason we see our rooms more objectively in a photo than in real life comes down to perception, focus, and cognitive processing. I’ll tell you more about that tomorrow in another post, you’ll be fascinated by this “science”.
Love,
Holly
So many beautiful ideas for using florals. And love this photo tip!