I thought decision fatigue was bad enough when I was renovating and extending, but now I realise there's more than one issue at play when you undertake home improvements.
Meet FOBO, a.k.a the 'fear of being outdated'. Equally as distracting, and with the same potential to cause delays or expensive changes, according to experts it's a phenomenon we really need to be conscious of when making choices.
But, with so many ideas and inspiration readily available in today's digital age, it can be hard not to deviate from your original plans. Here's how experts recommend you stay true to yourself.
Why do we get FOBO?
Is FOBO a new issue or one that's always existed? Design experts say it's definitely something they've experienced more of in recent years.
“FOBO is something we see more often now because homeowners are exposed to so many interiors images every day," says Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens By Holloways. "The main risk is that people start designing for what they have just seen online, rather than for how they actually live," she explains.
Although moodboards, Pinterest saves and influencer favourites are all helpful when making home renovation or self-build plans, we've all experienced the proverbial 'kid in a sweet shop' moment where we are simply overwhelmed with options and keep changing our minds.
And, much like fashion, it can sometimes feel like no sooner is one thing considered a must-have, give it a few weeks and it's replaced by another.
However, unlike fashion which can be a slightly easier fix if you make an impulsive fashion faux pas, the problem with home improvements and FOBO is two-fold:
- You may be planning months in advance thereby exposing yourself to multiple trends and more opportunity for FOBO to rear its head
- Purchase impulsively and you can't just pop it at the back of the wardrobe. Fixing it can be costly and time-consuming
Emily is a design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, a design and build company who create bespoke kitchens and thoughtfully planned interiors. Known for their holistic approach, the team considers not just the kitchen but the overall layout – whether it's a single room, an open-plan space or an entire home – to deliver beautiful, functional designs that enhance everyday living.
How to avoid FOBO when designing your home
So what can you do to battle FOBO? It all starts, says Tom Howley, founder of the eponymous kitchen company, with remembering at this moment in time, it's your house and you need to forget about what may, or may not happen in the future.
“The best way to overcome the fear of your home feeling outdated is to stop designing for an imaginary future buyer and start designing for the life you're living today," he says. "If every decision is made with resale in mind, the space is never truly yours."
In essence, it means sticking to your core likes and dislikes, but if you don't necessarily know what they are, it can be easy to grab onto the latest interior design or paint trends, assuming that this will be the best choice. The risk? FOBO kicks in the moment we see another new idea touted as the 'next best thing.'
Sound familiar? I know it certainly does for me. My Grand Designs project was a number of years in the making and so what I started out imagining for interiors wasn't always what I ended up choosing. As my collection of ideas (at that point in time, mainly magazine cuttings) grew with each passing month, I repeatedly questioned my choices. I asked experts what I could have done to reduce the feelings of FOBO.
1. Start with your home – not with trends
“Your starting point should be the home itself rather than what is currently popular online," says Sophie Chapman, associate & interior designer at The Vawdrey House.
"Consider the age and architecture of the property, how the room is used and which materials already belong naturally within it. A choice that responds to those factors is far less likely to feel outdated than one selected simply because it is fashionable."
"The important thing is for homeowners to understand that they are choosing things for their own personal home, not a showroom," adds Katerina Tchevytchalova, director at K'Arte Design.
2. Think about the fixed elements first
Designing a home is essentially done in layers, and once the main construction is done, there is still another base layer – the fixtures and fittings.
"Always choose and invest first in the elements that are expensive or disruptive to replace like flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, architectural lighting and built-in joinery and choose these with longevity," advises Katerina.
"More trend-led ideas can then be introduced through paint, lighting, wallpaper, textiles and accessories, which are easier to update,” adds Sophie Chapman.
Think about daily touch points too, notes Paul Clifford, MD at Croft. "Hardware, for example, is something you'll use every single day, so it's worth investing in pieces that feel good in the hand, are well made and suit the character of your home. If you get those fundamentals right, you're much less likely to regret your choices later," he says.
3. Question if the new idea will add 'value' to your home
“Consider whether the idea improves how the space works or whether it is purely decorative," recommends Sophie Chapman. "Better storage, adaptable layouts, natural materials and well-made joinery generally have value beyond a particular season," she suggests.
Something that Emily Newmarch supports too, telling us, "a trend is more likely to last if it is rooted in function or natural materials. For example, pantries, breakfast cupboards, timber finishes, stone surfaces and good storage have longevity because they improve how a kitchen design works, as well as how it looks."
4. Don't rush your decisions
"If a trend genuinely resonates with your lifestyle and complements the architecture of your home, there’s no reason not to embrace it," says Katerina Tchevytchalova. But the important thing, she says, is not to jump into hasty decisions.
"Save images for several months without analysing them, then review them together. You’ll often discover recurring colours, materials and architectural details that reveal your genuine style," she expands. "Designing around those common threads almost always results in a home that feels more personal and stands the test of time."
5. Set rules once you have a plan
Although you might feel setting boundaries could be limiting in terms of your choices, it can be the opposite says Lisa O'Hanlon, interiors expert at the Shutter Store.
"People often worry that setting rules at the beginning of a decorating project will limit their creativity, but it usually does the opposite," she says. "Once you have a clear direction in mind, it becomes much easier to ignore distractions and focus on the ideas that genuinely suit your home, rather than feeling tempted by every trend or product you come across."
6. Make sure you own your decisions
Carrying on from the advice to make rules and stick to them, Sophie Chapman says to stay strong once you have made decisions.
"Own it! Don’t worry about what other people might think," says Sophie. "Do what feels right and trust your instincts. And, if you've hired professionals such as interior designers, trust them, they have your best interests at heart."
Save this checklist if you feel you're at risk of FOBO
To help you stay on the straight and narrow, Sophie Chapman suggests you ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I instinctively love it? Or do I just feel like I should have it?
- Would I still choose this if I had not seen it on social media?
- Does it suit the architecture of my home?
- Does it work with the way I live, or am I choosing it only for its appearance?
- Have I liked this material or colour for several years, or only recently?
- Will it work with the pieces I already own?"
Tom Howley has spent more than 20 years designing kitchens around the way his clients actually live. He specialises in creating kitchen islands that balance style with smart, hardworking functionality.
A founding member of The Vawdrey House, Sophie oversees the design team bringing her trademark energy & creativity to projects. With a BA in Interior Design & Environmental Architecture, Sophie develops unique furniture packages, styles projects & loves sourcing trips to antique fairs & French brocantes.
K’Arte Design is a luxury interior design and art consultancy founded by Katerina Tchevytchalova, specialising in high-end residential and commercial projects. Prior to launching her practice, Katerina spent five years at Kelly Hoppen Interiors and worked with several of London’s leading design studios.
Risks of FOBO
While the risks of FOBO can clearly involve potentially expensive and time-consuming changes if you buy or install something, and later change your mind, there's also another risk you may not have considered, according to Tom Howley – and it's the problem of playing it too safe.
In an attempt to avoid FOBO, we may tell ourselves that choosing 'timeless' designs are the solution, but is this equally as detrimental to the finished look as FOBO?
“What we often describe as ‘timeless’ is, in reality, simply low risk," says Tom. "The result is millions of kitchen ideas designed to be little more than a blank canvas – neutrals, predictable layouts, and choices made to appeal to a hypothetical future buyer."
"The problem is, these decisions aren't driven by what people genuinely love; they're driven by the fear of getting it wrong. That's why they feel safe – but it's also why they so often feel indistinguishable from one another,” he continues.
The result? Spaces that end up feeling as dated as if you'd jumped on a passing trend that quickly died out.
“The truth is, timelessness isn't created by certain colours, finishes, or materials. It's created by designing a home around what brings you – personally, individually – joy and allows the space to truly support the way you live,” says Tom.
"Timeless design isn't about stripping away personality – it's about giving personality a lasting foundation. Pair colours you genuinely love with beautifully made cabinetry, thoughtful proportions, quality materials, and appliances and storage solutions that make everyday life easier. Those enduring elements provide longevity, while the personal touches give the space character and joy."
FAQS
How can I tell if something has longevity?
"A good way to judge whether something has longevity is to ask whether it would still look beautiful if you hadn't seen it repeatedly on social media and online," advises Katerina Tchevytchalova.
"Materials with a long design history like natural stone, solid timber, unlacquered brass, linen and real craftsmanship tend to endure because they're valued for their intrinsic qualities rather than because they're fashionable. If a finish has appeared overnight across every influencer's home, it will probably date quickly," she concludes.
Now you're equipped with some strong decision-making skills, find out some of the other interior design rules you can follow when embarking on home improvements, and why taking on a high-low mindset, can save you both time, and money.
