Though home upgrades and renos weren’t on the agenda for most of us throughout 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed us in that direction as we found ourselves spending a great deal of time in our abodes. Being forced in a way to turn our living spaces into multi-faceted ones, putting the focus on comfort and convenience, unknowingly we helped shape some interior design trends that are here to stay for long.
If I’ve managed to pique your curiosity as to what these trends might be, and what you have the approval on when welcoming them in your home, read up this blog post to find out what the designers and general contractors are all buzzing about. As I unravel them, you’d also discover which of the trends you can finally say goodbye to.
Rounded Contours
While the modern furniture pieces renowned for the sleek lines and edges got everyone in a frenzy in recent years, things are moving in another, or should I say softer, direction. Curvaceous and rounded details are prominent nowadays when it comes to the range of neatly crafted home furnishings the homeware stores offer.
In other words, curvy is the new edgy! This is due to the essence such details provide, filling the dwellings with softness which is crucial for creating the much-needed cosy ambience. In times when faced with pandemic uncertainty and chaos, you can easily create a safe haven and a warm vibe with curved pieces.
Such elements are value for your money because they assist with creating a nice smooth flow in your rooms, thus filling them with positive energy. In Feng Shui, pointed furnishings bring about negative obstructed interiors.
Tip: If you can afford to splurge on this upgrade, it’s advisable to take the edge off by replacing your existing furniture with intricate curved sofas and coffee tables, designer ottomans and occasional chairs, dining tables and chairs, beds, and shelving. Everything a well-stocked home improvement store can supply you with.
If, on the other hand, you can only go so far as to purchase a single piece due to your limited budget, you can opt for a more rounded approach with curvy accessories. From statement wall clocks for timeless and dynamic allure, and circular eye-catching rugs, to round shaped vases, planters, and lamps you can use to your advantage to effortlessly treat any pointy design blunder and create your own fusion of old and new.
Personalised Pieces
Another trend that especially waned during the lockdown days is the one with the matchy-matchy looks. Prior to this COVID-19 era most of us were keen on getting perfect homes straight out of design mags by acquiring furniture sets that were all well-coordinated. This included buying beds, nightstands, dining tables, kitchen counters and islands, bathroom vanities and shelving all matching in colour, material, and design.
After the urge throughout last year for making the most of our abodes by customising them, these sets started to look rather dated and lacking the comfort mixed home furnishings provide – key for creating a sophisticated and personalised interior décor. Not surprisingly, the trend charmingly named “granny chic”, otherwise known as grandmillennial, has since had an all-time high popularity.
The reason for this lies in the fact most of us started feeling nostalgic for those snug and warm rooms at the homes of grandparents’, filled with mixtures of patterns, textures, textiles, and colours that made us feel safe, secure, and at peace. It’s trendy to be anti-trendy with this classic design option as it’s perfect for showing off your personality with your selection of “granny”.
Tip: To be able to encompass the charming vibe, the key is in welcoming florals indoors. You have the flexibility to choose your floral elements, as you can introduce them in the interior décor with fabrics, as much as ceramics and artworks, for a unique whimsical outcome.
To give you a hint, great floral choices for fabrics are the quintessential granny chintz, damask for a high-end look, the casual and colourful ditsy, and botanicals ideal on cushions, pillows, tablecloths, and slipcovers for chairs and sofas. Dresden florals, toile, and chinoiserie style are perfect for china.
If you’re willing to spend some more, vintage home furnishings are recommended to get that ultimate granny homey feel. And so are rustic accessories like cake plates, tea sets, knitting baskets, as well as tapware and hardware. The lucky ones who’ve happened to inherit family heirlooms of the sort can now proudly show them off in their homes.
For that large scale impact, I suggest you also think of your walls. Sure, artwork like floral paintings, prints, and embroidery would add the wanted warmth and interest, but if you’re thinking of something more colourful, you’d have to take care of the base too. Which is what the fancy peel-and-stick floral wallpapers are for. Yes, textured wallpapers are still stylish!
Natural Touch
Being faced with quarantines and lockdowns for a year and a half already means we can’t always be in touch with the outdoors as much as we want. As a result of this need to stay close to nature as possible, designers are all on the same page when it comes to the interior décor trend: we have the green light on surrounding ourselves with greenery!
Plants have always been a designer favourite as crucial accents for injecting the interior with liveliness. Things haven’t changed in this aspect, and you can go as far as creating a full green wall hanging up your favourite plants and suitable decorating planters. In addition to making up indoor gardens, there’s also the focus on carefully choosing the furnishings from a resourceful home emporium to find those made from natural and durable materials.
Tip: Choose your plants according to your location, plus your capabilities of gardening. Individuals who have brown thumbs would benefit from the addition of succulents in the abode because they’re known to be low-maintenance. Green doesn’t only refer to actual plants considering you can also bring the colour in the form of furnishings and accessories.
One of the latest kitchen trends is all-things green, which creates a more open vivid area. In terms of materials, natural wood options in the likes of oak are still as trendy as ever, though there are extra choices you have at your disposal that are hot trends right now: bamboo, wicker, and rattan. Pick any of these and your home would instantly look and feel refreshed!
