As 2019 draws to an end, it’s time to take a look at the biggest design trends of the past year. Some design trends don’t last long – they’re here and gone in the blink of an eye. Others outlast their contemporaries by years, staying in style long after the requisite 15 minutes. Here’s a look at some of the biggest trends in home design:
Bye Bye Minimalism
2019 was a crucial year for the minimalist trend. After holding sway over interior design for more than a decade, this year saw a marked change in attitudes. People are now embracing maximalism going forward. While decluttering can feel good if it was weighing you down, many people found minimalism to be constraining. It put a limit on what you can with your own space.
Not that maximalism is all about clutter. No, the idea is to strike a balance between an overcrowded room and the stark emptiness of minimalism. Focus on a handful of colors, textures, or materials and play around to see what works! No limits.
The Rise of Color
In 2019, we saw colors run riot everywhere. Nowhere is this more visible than in the kitchen and bathroom. Colorful Morrocan or Spanish tiles in bright shades found a coveted place in modern and traditional kitchens alike. It’s not just wall tiles and floors either.
Kitchens now sport colorful backsplash too. Say goodbye to the monotonous white tiles you would find in every home. Make space for large patterns or bold colors in the kitchen. Stainless steel appliances made way for colorful ovens, stoves, and refrigerators.
Want to color coordinate all the small appliances in your kitchen? Go for it! Major brands have started to offer their entire kitchen appliance lineup in matching colors/accents.
Metallic Finishes
This might sound like a strange one. Haven’t people always used shiny and metallic accents in home design? 2019 was different. For instance, rose gold has been a popular finish over the last few years. But now different metallic colors like gold, bronze, and copper have made a big impression.
Once again, major brands have cottoned on to the trend, including Volkano who offers their bathroom accessories collections in a variety of metallic finishes. You can now get bathroom accessories like towel rods, faucets, and soap dishes in the same finish for a cohesive look. From brushed nickel to satin black, metal was all the rage in 2019.
Mix and Match Trends
Another big trend in 2019? The concept of mix and match. Who said rooms or even houses have to stick to one design option? The last year saw people incorporate different styles in a single room. The words modern-vintage should strike a bell!
Take a look at kitchens as an example. For a long time, all-white kitchens were the ideal. Now you can find retro appliances sitting in a farmhouse style kitchen. Or modern, sleek chairs in a boho room. The trick is to blend the elements seamlessly. Think out of the box for this one.
Natural Elements and Sustainable Materials
2019 saw a big swing toward sustainable materials. While leather will be a premium material and always look good, some manufacturers have started offering comparable alternatives. Sustainable fibers like jute, cotton, and wood have featured in the latest homes. A lot of bathroom or kitchen furniture has incorporated wooden facades to bring a bit of natural elements to the space.
Many homeowners fell in love with such materials as they’re often re-usable and last long. It helps that they don’t have an adverse impact on the environment, compared to other design materials.
Another part of this trend was the use of natural elements indoors. Sprinkle green plants throughout the house to bring nature inside. Whether it is small pots with kitchen herbs or large potted palms, green was in! It’s not confined to greenery. Homes have started to use stone, cork and reclaimed wood in many forms. From framed decor pieces to entire wall finishes, you can find something to suit your style.
Personalization
In other words, make any space your own. This ‘trend’ has allowed people to put their own personality into a room. Whether you like to cook in your gourmet kitchen or relax in a spa-like bathroom, don’t stick to established rules.
This attitude is what led to the mix and match trend as well. Many people are tired of letting designers dictate trends and the function of a room. 2019 was all about assessing how you use a space and designing decor around that function.
In smaller homes, space is also a constraint. So you often find rooms pulling double duty. This means a home office may need to transform into a guest room. Couches that can pull out into a bed or large ottomans that have hidden storage is just the ticket!
As you can see, 2019 saw a lot of changes away from older trends. It will be interesting to see what 2020 has in store for the world of interior design!
