What Is the Both/And Trend? We Talked to Designers to Find Out

The world of interior design is constantly evolving with new trends popping up frequently. However, there’s one trend that has gained popularity online recently that designers say has actually been around for quite a while—the “both/and” trend. 

So what is the both/and trend, and how can you implement this trend in your home? We spoke to interior designers to find out.

The both/and trend is all about embracing duality in design. This can manifest in several ways, from the materials you choose to the way you design your home, but most often it means creating functional multipurpose spaces, designers say. In that way, it’s less of a trend and more of a design principle, although the experts admit clients have requested multi-purpose spaces more often than ever over the past couple of years.

“I think this started trending more when COVID first hit because people were needing to work from home and were turning spaces they used for other functions into multipurpose rooms that could also function as an office,” says Cathleen Gruver of North Virginia-based design firm Gruver Cooley. 

While the trend may have picked up speed thanks to the pandemic and the increased shift towards remote work, it’s certainly not limited to home office spaces. Homeowners are increasingly rethinking traditional spaces such as the formal dining room or sitting room, guest bedrooms, long empty hallways, and more to try and find ways to make the most out of each space. 

“I think with real estate being costly, people ultimately want to make the most of the space they do have and the ability to let the space flex with their ever-changing needs,” Gruver says.

This has resulted in an increased demand for spaces that can serve more than one purpose,