If you are looking for new wallpaper and want to engage specialist expertise in finding the right design, you may ask a lot of questions about what works well with a room’s size, shape, the level of natural light it gets at each time of year and much else besides.

These are, of course, permanent features of a room (unless you are having a house extension or other major work). Other considerations may come and go, which begs the question: should you be swayed by fashion trends?

According to Real Simple, the styles that are ‘in’ during autumn 2023 are ones where bright colours and intricate patterns dominate. Floral wallpaper patterns are a centrepiece to room interiors that are bursting with colour, as if the summer has never ended (perhaps that is appropriate after the September heatwave).

This marks a clear contrast with the monotones or pastel shades that might have been in fashion in years gone by, and you might well decide this is the kind of template it is worth following; it is not as if ornate and colourful patterns have never been in fashion before.

Following the latest fashion can bring some pros and cons. A positive is that it can help you put together an attractive and impressive décor that may also include new furnishings and fixtures, forming the basis of a great makeover.

The flip side is that if you choose something that is fashionable now but soon falls out of favour, you could be stuck with a poor choice for many years.

However, the greatest error is not to speak to the experts about what actually is in fashion to begin with.

The Real Simple article would have you believe a bit of contrast between floral wallpaper and more understated curtains is the way to go, to avoid the colours and patterns being overwhelming. Yet only last month, Livingetc said matching curtains and wallpaper is an approach currently proving very popular with interior designers.

It all goes to show that you should always look beyond what a single article tells you is ‘fashionable’ right now.