In the new year, which design trends will be hot, and which ones will not? Here are five predictions.
Purple Reign
In early December 2017, colour company Pantone revealed 2018’s Colour of the Year: Ultra Violet. It’s a deep shade of purple that Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, describes as “the most complex of all colours”. Ultra Violet, she told The New York Times, “takes two shades that are seemingly diametrically opposed – blue and red – and brings them together to create something new.”
Historically, purple has been known as a royal hue. These days, it has a more spiritual connotation, being associated with the mindfulness movement and meditation. We love purple’s versatility. It can create a feminine, jewel box-like space when paired with pink tones and mirror or crystal finishes. Or it can conjure masculine sophistication when teamed with chocolate brown or other dark hues. Expect to see this multifaceted tint appear more frequently on furnishings and interiors throughout 2018.
Urban Jungle
Armed with a desire to connect to nature, more and more homeowners around the world have turned to rearing houseplants. In the process, they’ve turned their interiors into mini-greenhouses, giving new meaning to the term urban jungle. This trend will continue well into 2018 and beyond.
In an interview with The Edge Singapore, designer Jean-Marie Massaud said that in the next 10 years, Millennials “will live in… a world with more greenery”. Pantone, in fact, chose Greenery as its Colour of the Year 2017. If your living areas receive enough light, fill them with houseplants to be bang on-trend for 2018. Group an assortment of greens – varying the species, size and foliage density – in clusters to achieve a contemporary look.
Wabi Sabi
Forget clean lines, precision and symmetry, because 2018 is going to be all about wabi sabi. This Japanese concept, which embraces imperfection and impermanence, is poised to be all the rage this year. In terms of design and decoration, the wabi sabi aesthetic translates to an abundance of honest, natural materials like linen, concrete, stone and wood. These might come with nicks and scratches, irregular surfaces, inclusions, cracks and other inherent natural flaws. But these physical imperfections are to be celebrated rather than rejected.
“There is one key factor to nailing this trend for your home design,” says Dayna Isom Johnson, trend forecaster at Etsy. “Think tables or cutting boards with burn marks or ceramics that have not been perfectly thrown. Accepting the idea that your home does not have to be showroom-ready is all it takes. Keep it real, be authentic, and by happy that for once you don’t have to make your bed to be cool.”
Graphic Punch
Bold, graphic patterns and prints, especially in black-and-white combinations, are set for a major comeback in 2018. According to Nancy Fire, design director of HGTV Home, “An awesome way to create newness in your home is by adding graphic decorative pillows, hip ceramic side tables with hand-painted geometrics, and a new set of sheets that inspire a bold bedding vibe for the win!”
To achieve this look, think high-contrast: white painted door frames against a black wall; black dining chairs juxtaposed against a white dining table; or black-and-white striped or checked cushions on a crisp white sofa.
Retro Revival
Design tendencies, like fashion trends, move in cycles. For 2018, the design world will be looking towards the 1970s for inspiration. This was already evident in 2017, at events like the Salone del Mobile – also known as the Milan Furniture Fair. There, Jade Nottage, director at interior design studio TomMarkHenry, noticed a lot of warm colours being used. “Think terracotta, browns, deep pinks, burgundy and teal, with splashes of bright blue and orange,” she explains.
The Fair also reintroduced velvet as a key upholstery option. This plush fabric conjures up images of 1970s-era glam rock stars and their decadent velvet suits. “We saw lots of velvet in Milan so its retro qualities are clearly being re-appreciated,” says Nottage. In 2018, expect to see lots of brass details as well. The warm metal is often used alongside velvet to convey glamour and luxury.
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