The home has long been referred to as a “sanctuary.” New design trends are playing up the safety and calming factor in seamless design and muted color schemes. Moving a bit away from the mid-century look that has dominated in recent years, the looks we’re talking about today are striking in an understated and elegant way.
Colors
No salmon pink or avocado green to be found here. The colors du jour are faint and breathy, think alabaster rose pink and powder blue. For the ambitious who are not afraid of wallpaper, British company Graham&Brown offer gorgeous creams guaranteed to blend in.
Flooring
The trends in flooring are all over the map – in a good way! Try your hand at some looks beyond streamlined hardwood. Large tile looks reign supreme. Contrary to traditional flooring advice, large tile can actually make a room look bigger. Playing around with texture in carpets (think various wool, nylon or synthetic carpets) can nicely complement the style of a room. The texture of wool carpets can give a room a cozy feel. Colors for flooring go along with the popular wall colors, muted and understated. If you have children or subject your flooring to heavy activity, you may want to consider a streamlined gray that won’t show as much wear and tear.
Furniture
Taking a step away from the clear-cut corners of the mid-century look, the latest design trends feature supple shapes like rounded tables and objects that add texture like tufted pillows. Reclaimed wood for a table or a curved marble piece could be just the thing. The overstuffed room is out. “Knick knacks” stress a space and recent trends go for the opposite of this. Truly embrace the trends and look for pieces that are multi-use, such as sofas that have storage space built in.
Other Touches
Metallic accents are still appearing far and wide in design trends. Using copper or gold tones give the minimalist look of the day an elegance that can finish a room nicely. The best way to use the metallic accent is as touches on furniture – think faucets or draw pulls.
Interior Design offers a nice round up and example of some of the latest design trends. The greatest part about these trends is that they don’t require a lot of work. A slap of paint, a new carpet and you’re there!