You’re not tripping — mushroom decor really is everywhere. Once relegated to the psychedelic posters and tapestries typically found in your stoner friend’s dorm room, the fungi has finally gone mainstream in the home space.
Vintage Murano mushroom lamps are such a hot commodity they’re selling for over $1,000 on pre-owned decor sites like 1st Dibs and Chairish, Glossier recently dedicated its Seattle store design to the fungi, and major retailers like Target have started incorporating the ‘shroom boom into their offerings.
Searches for “mushroom decor” first took off in earnest in 2020, according to Swasti Sarna, global director of data insights at Pinterest. And it only continues to grow. Queries for “weirdcore bedroom” and “funky house decor” have risen as much as 540% and 695%, respectively, on the platform, and Pinterest predicts the mush-room (pun intended) trend will be “huge” in 2023.
“This is mostly being driven by Gen Z, who are always looking for ways to incorporate entertaining and mind-expanding decor into their rooms, from vibey lights to cloud decor to their latest obsession with mushroom decor,” says Sarna.
It’s not all freaky wallpaper or fantasy mushroom art. The fungi’s influence can also be found in more organic, earthy iterations that fit with an increased interest in bringing the outside in. “There has been a trend lately toward design elements that have their origins in the natural world,” says Kathy Kuo, interior design expert and the founder of Kathy Kuo Home. “Think indoor plants as decor or furniture crafted from reclaimed wood, rattan, and cane. Mushroom decor certainly has sprung out of this nature-centric motif. The pieces are whimsical and playful, and they feel a little bit fantastical while still also being very earthy and grounded.”
There are easy ways to embrace the trend without becoming a mycologist. “With any niche or statement-making motif, like the mushroom trend, it’s usually best to take a less-is-more approach,” says Kuo. She recommends finding wall art, decorative throw pillows, or small decorative objects that can be placed thoughtfully on a coffee table or bookshelf. If you have children, some whimsical blankets or pillows can be a fun choice for a nursery or playroom.
Says Kuo, “Honestly, searching for mushroom inspiration is a little bit like how I imagine actually foraging for mushrooms in the forest might be—you have to keep your eyes and your heart open in unexpected places.”