SARAH BAEUMLER OFFERS DESIGN TIPS FOR REAL LIFE, NOT TRENDS

If there’s one tip Sarah Baeumler emphasizes, it’s to avoid following trends and instead focus on developing a personal design style.

“When I first started in the industry, I was very focused on trends. It felt like there was an unspoken pressure to keep up with everything we saw in magazines so I could be recognized within the design community with the right colour, the right lighting fixture,” Baeumler says. “But trends change every year, and your life — and the way you live in your home — doesn’t move at the same speed.”

The designer and founder of her self-named lifestyle brand says a home should reflect how you live, not what’s popular at the moment.

“Your home is where you raise your family. It’s your place of reprieve, and it doesn’t have to feel like a trend,” she says.

Instead, Baeumler recommends taking the time to choose items that are timeless and meaningful.

“I always recommend well-made products that will outlive any trend you’ll see in a magazine,” she says. “After a few seasons, the products in your home shouldn’t fall apart.”

While inspiration from magazines and social media can be helpful, she cautions against becoming fixated on getting every detail “right.”

Instead, she suggests focusing on how you want to live in your space five, 10 or even 15 years from now.

Invest in your bedroom

One of the most overlooked spaces in the home is the bedroom, despite being where people spend much of their time.

“When we look at how fast-paced and technology-driven the world has become, it’s even more important to get a proper night’s sleep in a space that’s comfortable and relaxing,” Baeumler says. “People overlook their bedroom because they think, ‘My guests don’t see it,’ but you spend a lot of time there.”

She recommends considering how the space supports rest and recovery, from reducing noise to choosing softer lighting that encourages disconnection from screens.

Material choices also matter, including selecting a mattress that minimizes off-gassing and supports overall well-being.

“How can you protect the eight or nine hours you spend in that space, from when you wind down to when you start your day?” she says.

“It feels overlooked because it’s not on display, but it’s a really important space that dictates how you live and how you feel each day.”

2026-03-12T16:34:44Z