Virtual Reality6 Interior Design Trends Blowing Up on TikTok This Month Smaller spaces, maximalism, and miniatures took the spotlight in March

By David Eardley

March 31, 2022

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The cozy living room in the home of artists Trish Andersen and Michael Porten in Savannah, Georgia.Photo: Chia Chong

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It’s no surprise that social media has a huge hold over interior design trends, but main stakeholder Instagram is becoming increasingly rivaled by the wide array of content on TikTok. What makes TikTok creators stand out is their high interest in educating others: DesignTok often focuses on sharing tips, tricks, and passionate portraits of intriguing interiors, often with a wink and a smile. In March, the app saw creators focusing on the beauty of limited space, from studio apartments to elaborate miniatures, as well as design critique, maximalism, and the ever-present mood board. Here are six design trends we saw take TikTok by storm during March.

Interior design don’ts

Although we are usually more interested in the positive, we’re starting our TikTok trend alert with a don’t—in this case, recommendations by interior design experts (and amateurs) about common mistakes to avoid when decorating your space. In March, we saw creators share cautionary advice on everything from Rae Dunn to overly obvious home signage, mostly with the goal of avoiding the dreaded decor faux pas: Looking “cheugy.”

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#studioapartment

We appreciate a gorgeous, sprawling home, but it’s equally enjoyable—and refreshing—to see smaller (and more economical) spaces celebrated for their beauty and the unique design challenge they present when decorating. This past month saw an influx of creators sharing their smaller spaces, often under #studioapartment, presenting their limited floor plans as an opportunity to think creatively and maximize their square footage. This trend illustrates the beauty of social media, where creators are able to crowdsource knowledge and educate others. No gatekeeping here!

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“The colorful, the cluttered, the maximalist…”

Building on the post-minimalism movement of the past few years, we’re seeing a rise in the popularity of maximalist spaces that feature prominent colors and diverse textures, and demonstrate the unique taste of their owner. This month, we saw creators sharing their loud-and-proud spaces, paired with audio from creator @seizethade that begins with “Where are the TikTok creators that don’t care about luxury, minimalism, or the color beige?” These videos are filled with brilliant color, envious vintage finds, and plenty of plants. The maximalism trend is here to stay!

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Design reviews

TikTok is no stranger to critiques, and this past month we saw more and more design-conscious creators reviewing interiors or comparing two spaces and picking their favorite. These reviews are quick and lighthearted, often featuring popular audios like Kim Kardashian’s now famous “John Mayer” quote. Keeping it easy and breezy, these videos help educate audiences about interior and furniture design while also encouraging others to voice their own opinions.

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“My ______ if they were a ____”

If there’s one lasting effect that Tumblr had on millennial and Gen Z populations, it’s the enduring popularity of the mood board, whether it be on carefully curated Instagram accounts or, in this case, atmospheric TikToks. On the more wholesome end of the app, we find the “My _____ if they were a _____” trend, which features creators lining up a series of images interpreting a loved one as a bedroom, a living room, a color, or even a scent. This trend emphasizes the ways in which physical places and objects embody the character of a person, and the videos are sweet homages to romantic and platonic love.

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#miniatures

The rise in popularity of miniatures—tiny models of objects and spaces—took center stage in March, particularly in videos featuring creators showing off their tiny rooms and tiny houses. These miniature spaces allow the design-curious to experiment with their interiors-related fantasies and excitedly share their passion with an engaged audience. Joy and a sense of childlike wonder bring a positive atmosphere to this trend, and we love to see it.

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