Design Trends We See

Nature is at the core of trends we see for the new decade. An environmental focus, including sustainability and biophilia, weaves its importance into our design concepts, through products and colors we specify. The search for revitalization, wellness, tranquility and balance in our lives is another dominant theme. Today’s modern movement is morphing and mixing it up with urban/industrial influences and historic inspirations from the Roaring 20s to Art Deco. Streamlined, pared-down minimalism is evolving into a new maximalism with the addition of bolder patterns and more vibrant color. Customization is highly desired and more doable with advancements in technology.

Let the sunshine in and the plants grow is the mantra for interior design. Floor-to-ceiling windows and sunrooms are highly sought after. The use of indoor plants has become essential décor. Yesterday’s stark white kitchens are transitioning to softer, warmer hues. Neutral colors reign for bathrooms with an emphasis on creating spa-like retreats. Furniture featuring earth-originated caning, rattan, wicker, and bamboo is everywhere. Jute is back and pine bark too. New fibers for fabric are spun from plant-based yarn and vegan wool. Regenerated nylon yarn from landfills and ocean scraps is a growing industry.

Bigger materials are better. Oversized formats for stone and tile require fewer joints and less maintenance with a more authentic, customized look. Modernism’s clean lines and uninterrupted planes remain popular details during this trend transition. Fireplaces with floor-to-ceiling stone create dramatic focal points. Waterfall countertop ends, full-height backsplashes, simple countertop edges, and miters are still prevalent. Natural or manmade stone, wood and concrete haven’t lost their luster and help to bring the outdoors in. Granite is gaining ground over quartz, with Carrara marble still a classic choice. Burnished to high-gloss finishes are all receiving attention.

High-tech, digital production methods, particularly for wallcoverings, have allowed for dramatic imagery, customization and lower price points. Floor-to-ceiling wallcovering murals are replacing living walls and artwork providing more impact with lower cost. These large-scale graphics featuring simple geometrics, vintage patterns, botanical motifs, wood grains, and animal prints and textures from Africa and India are roaring ahead, leaving cowhide and fur in their dust.

As stated by PPG, “color is the trend”. Black, gray and white have long had their day. We journey now towards vivid colors inspired by the natural world, especially blues and greens. You still love gray? Glidden offers “a fail-proof cool gray with a touch of blue” for 2020 stating that “grays have been trending for more than a decade; if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”! No matter what your personal taste, today’s trends offer a little something for everyone melding extremes and infusing our designs with nature’s influence.