Published on: Feb 18, 2020
Homeowners who are considering updating their properties might not know where to start with their redecorating plans. Interior design trends can change almost as fast as fashion ones, so it can be difficult to know how to alter the layout, which paint to choose, or what furniture to buy so your house will still look stylish in years to come.
We have put together some of the top interior design trends of the year that will leave your property as good as new.
Concealed kitchens
Perhaps the most time-consuming, costly and disruptive renovation job you can do to a property is fit a new kitchen. However, it is also likely to be the most rewarding, giving you a cooking space that you love and works better for you.
If changing the kitchen layout, upgrading your cabinets, or extending to make an open-plan kitchen-diner is on your list of DIY jobs to complete this year, make sure you consider having a concealed kitchen.
More and more homeowners are choosing to hide all their kitchen appliances, foods, spices and general cooking accessories from public view by disguising them all behind cabinet doors.
While open shelving was a huge trend last year, many people have realised the pressure it brings to constantly have well-maintained and perfectly co-ordinating accessories on display. That is why minimalist kitchens are becoming more popular.
“Items that once cluttered worktops – kettles, plug sockets, knife blocks, even taps and sinks – can now disappear into flush cabinets and uninterrupted surfaces to make the most of all space available,” Real Homes stated, adding this style is good for kitchens of all sizes and creates a stylish streamline look to the space.
Instead of having sinks, coffee-making paraphernalia, weighing scales, microwaves, and a selection of oils out on show, these are simply hidden behind large cabinet doors that reveal worktops and all the accessories when open.
If you are updating your kitchen, consider fitting cabinets in two different colours, instead of one plain shade. A good look is a darker tone for the lower cupboards and a lighter one for those that are higher up.
Earth tone paint
One of the easiest ways to give your property a face-lift is to repaint every room. However, unless you paint everywhere the same colour, choosing all the different shades can feel quite daunting.
You could, of course, give your home a freshen-up by painting it a stark white, with this colour making the space look bigger and brighter, and allowing you to add character with furnishings.
However, earth tones are also becoming increasingly popular, replacing the cooler shades that have been around for the last few years. Consider browns, yellow ochre, olive green, and deep wine colours, as they help to create a warm, natural-looking space.
Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2020 and 2019 are both earthy colours, with this year’s uplifting green shade Tranquil Dawn reflecting nature. Last year’s Spiced Honey was a richer tone that worked really well with other earthy colours.
Nature plays a big part in this year’s interior design, so add some large indoor plants to really help complete this look.
Darker Scandi living
Interior design inspired by Scandinavian properties is still incredibly popular, with this craze seeing homeowners turning to a minimalist look, swapping their synthetic fixtures and fittings for more natural-looking ones.
However, the look is becoming slightly edgier this year, and instead of white furnishings, hessian fabrics, and neutral colours, darker shades will begin to creep in.
The moodier design has a gothic feel to it, with navy blue walls, and dark grey fittings. However, light wooden furniture and lots of textures remain, so you can still tell this is a distinctive Nordic look.
Ideal Home magazine suggests getting plenty of materials – from wool to earthenware and bleached wood or wicker – to complete this design, as “a key element is the tactile nature of the accessories”.
Statement ceilings instead of walls
If you designed your property a few years ago, the chances are that you painted a strong, bold statement wall or plastered vibrant, patterned wallpaper in just one area of the room.
Statement walls were great at allowing you to be creative without committing to an entire room in a daring colour or print. However, homeowners have been encouraged to paint or pattern the space in a single design, whether that is a plain or bold one.
If you are not brave enough to have wallpaper – such as an animal print – all over your room, you could jazz up your ceiling instead. Statement ceilings are going to become big this year, so while you are used to ignoring this space, it is time to give it an update.
“Rather than just the magnolia-blah you are used to, try painting the ceiling in a colour that contrasts your walls,” Real Homes recommends.
Those who are repainting small rooms but are choosing a simple plain colour might want to cover their ceiling in the same shade, as this helps make it appear larger than it is.
Forbes also suggests going bold with trims, as well as ceilings, especially if you are keeping walls neutral. This helps to create a sharp contrast, and adds a dramatic feature to the room.
If this has inspired you and you want luxury home interior design in London, get in touch with us today.
