How Influence Killed Interior Design

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I started noticing how heavily the interior design space was being diluted by internet grifters, overconfident DIY voices, and “design” content that ranges from mildly misleading to aggressively unhinged. Somewhere around the pre-pandemic HGTV reality boom and paired with the rise of neo-farmhouse everything—we entered an era where mass-produced décor started telling people which room they were standing in (you know, just in case the lack of spatial awareness wasn’t enough). And yes, I’m still recovering from “Live. Laugh. Love.” being on everything except the trash can… though I’m sure someone is working on that next.

And hey, I genuinely understand why it happened. We’re living in a post-pandemic society. People are overwhelmed, broke, bored with their spaces, and being fed an endless stream of inspiration online with very little guidance attached.

Of course people want their homes to feel better, especially after spending far too much time staring at the same four walls. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve your space with what you have; in fact, that’s often where good design begins. Much of my work involves exactly that: helping people refine what already exists, make more thoughtful and practical changes, and most importantly, create spaces that genuinely support the way they live.

The issue is what happens when inspiration turns into imitation without understanding. Social media has made design more visible than ever, but it’s also made it easier for misinformation, shortcuts, and outright nonsense to spread as if they’re legitimate practice. At a certain point, everyone becomes an “expert” because they watched a few episodes of a renovation show and now believe structural reality is optional.

And I need to say this plainly: you cannot watch a handful of TV transformations and decide you’re a contractor, real estate flipper, and designer all in one weekend—especially not on a budget that barely covers the paint, let alone the consequences.

It might sound harsh, but there’s a real difference between making your space feel less boring and actually designing it with intention. One is accessible and encouraged. The other sometimes results in questionable choices involving vinyl wrap, hot glue, and a level of confidence that should legally require supervision…

What’s frustrating, especially from the perspective of someone who has taken the time to study, practice, and understand the principles behind good design—is watching that depth get flattened into trends, hacks, and monetized aesthetics. Real design isn’t just about making something look good for a photo. It’s about structure, longevity, proportion, function, and restraint. It’s about solving problems, not adding more problems to an already overwhelmed space.

The original foundation of design was never meant to be a performance. It was problem-solving. It was intention. It was improvement. And somewhere along the way, a growing corner of the internet turned it into content first and craft second—optimized for sponsorships, engagement, and endless consumption.

That said, not all self-taught designers are the problem. In fact, some of the most thoughtful people I’ve seen in this field are entirely self-directed, deeply curious, and committed to learning the principles behind what they create. Formal education isn’t the dividing line—integrity, curiosity, and respect for the craft are.

The real issue is the difference between those who study design to understand it and utilize it well, and those who adopt the title because it looks good online. One builds something meaningful. The other builds a brand out of shortcuts.

And I know exactly which side I prefer to work in.