For the last several years there has been a lot of talk in the design world about Japanese Wabi Sabi and Scandinavian Hygge (pronounced Hoo-ga), both being design styles used to create a sense of warmth and comfort in a home. With the growth in interest in this design form, here is also an interest in furniture from these countries. Much of which blends well with Millennial’s fascination with Mid-Century Modern furnishings.
Innovative designers are using recycled materials; handmade décor in the form of ceramic, metals, and glass; and simple shapes. They are blending antique pieces with new.
While Millennials gravitate toward smaller pieces and spaces, and Gen X prefers their laid-back style to be modern rustic. Modern rustic often pulls in custom wood carpentry, especially in their kitchens that are pushing all-white kitchens out the door.
Colors Are Intense
While grayish tones continue to keep a hold of the market, paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams believe that 2018 will see a reemergence of intense colors, including black, dark blues, cherry red, and for those brave enough to embrace it, acid yellow.
For the last couple of years designers have been blending Millennial Pink with all the different shades of gray. This year terra cotta is replacing the paler tone, and neutral beiges and tans are coming back with it.
Another soft color coming back on the scene is lavender. Or for those wanting a more intense color, Pantone has chosen Ultra Violet as one of its fall color groups.
Accent Walls Are Redefined
Pattern, specifically patterned wallpaper is the new choice for an accent wall. New wallpapers are coming in geometrics and botanical prints. These can be all over prints or murals.
Wallpaper provides an opportunity to give a home personality. It also gives a home a sense of opulence. There are even peel and stick wall papers for those wishing to do it themselves.
Fabrics and Other Finish Materials Are Going Natural
Flooring, walls coverings, and furniture choices are what set the style of a home. Some designers consider flooring to be the most important element, while others look to the walls. Both of these elements must work together to create the canvas for the rest of the home’s design.
In 2017 the trend towards darker floors began, and it is predicted that it will continue to grow. Other flooring materials seeing a growth trend are natural stone and tile made to look like wood or natural stone.
Area rugs, custom made to designate a specific space in open concept rooms, are continuing to remain strong, but these rugs are being joined by fur rugs, both faux fur, and the real thing, as space definers.
Natural materials are also finding heir way to walls, like repurposed wood, but also tiles, including three-dimensional tiles. Three-dimensional tiles are being used on backsplashes and in bathrooms for accent walls.
The main emphasis is more and more about organic materials. This includes glass and metals. Another material getting more use is cement, which has been made popular as a kitchen countertop on the television show Fixer Upper. (See our story, Faux Cement Tile: Bold Look, Less Hassel).
For couches and headboards, the hot fabrication is velvet. It has become the fabric of choice, rising above linen for its casual elegance.
Other natural fabrications that are regaining interest in furniture are leather, sheepskin, and cowhide.
Décor is the Finishing Touch
It is décor that gives a home the style of those who live within its walls. Décor is what creates the sense of coziness. While choosing décor, it is always good to keep in mind lessons brought to use through the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. The book talks about removing anything from your home that does not bring you joy.
Perfect time of year to pack up the things that don’t bring you joy and donate them to a good cause. Then, all those well-loved items can be used to create a home that it freed of draining clutter, and everything has a place.
Some of the hottest trends are perfect ways to use well-loved objects and collection to stylish use.
- Create art gallery walls
- Pull out unique ethnic items collect during oversees travels
- Renew, reuse, or recycle family heirlooms, or vintage finds
- Commission bespoke pieces just for you
- Add lots of plants and greenery in antique pots or old silver pieces
- Place lanterns in sunrooms and in outdoor spaces with candles
- Invent in beautiful tableware, or pull out inherited china
- Provide texture with unique pillows, ceramics, hand-blown glass or metal sculpture
Pull It All Together
Create a comfortable and relaxing home using the tips above on your own or with the help of a designer.
