The Death of the ‘Instagram Interior’: Why Real Design Outlasts Trends
Scroll fast enough, and everything starts to look the same. Bouclé chairs, checkerboard rugs, a blob-shaped mirror propped against a plastered wall—it’s all part of a predictable aesthetic churn. The problem? What racks up likes today is often irrelevant tomorrow.
At Studio 1NINE1, we’re not in the business of designing for the algorithm. We design for the way people actually live—which means making decisions that hold up long after the trending page moves on.
The Illusion of Timelessness
Instagram interiors look timeless at first glance. Neutrals, organic shapes, a vaguely ‘Parisian’ mix of old and new—it feels like a safe bet. But the moment a look is replicated en masse, it starts aging faster. What once felt fresh is now just another thing that people have seen too much of.
Trendy on the left v. timeless design on the rightDesigning for Likes vs. Designing for Life
When a space is designed for social media first, the reality is often disappointing. Finishes don’t hold up. The lighting was optimized for the shot, not for actual use. The layout makes no sense once real life enters the picture.
Longevity in design is about materiality, proportion, and intention—not just an aesthetic moment. The best spaces aren’t staged for a snapshot; they evolve, gaining depth as they’re lived in.
What Makes a Space Enduring?
Materiality: Choosing surfaces that wear beautifully rather than just looking good on day one.
Proportion & Scale: Ensuring the space feels right in real life, not just through a lens.
Restraint: Knowing when to stop. Not every corner needs a moment.
Personalization: Spaces that reflect the people who inhabit them—not just a Pinterest board.
At Studio 1NINE1, we design with an Adaptive Vision—one that respects a space’s long-term potential rather than chasing what’s ‘hot.’ The real flex? A home that doesn’t need to be updated every five years.
The best spaces don’t beg for attention. They just work. The algorithm can chase the next big thing. We’re interested in what lasts.