Fashion is fickle. It wasn’t so long
since wallpaper borders and contrasting prints were the height of
fashion, and before that, who can forget the avocado green bathroom
suites of the 1980s? At the beginning of a New Year we all like to
look ahead and predict what might happen over the next 12 months, and
although there are always some trends which come like a bolt out of
the blue, it is much easier to predict general trends and colour
schemes which are likely to increase in popularity in 2015.
Nature Colours
Pantone is a company whose name has
become known as the industry standard when it comes to replicating
colour, not just in the home interiors market but across the worlds
of graphic design and fashion. Every year they put together a “Colour
Report” which flags up the colours
and shades which are going to be most important, and for 2015 we
are seeing a definite shift towards a more natural colour palette.
Gone are the jewel tones of the emerald green, scarlet and purple,
and we are all going to be seeing more of the softer shades of aqua,
rose pink, sandy yellows and neutrals like almond. The Pantone Colour
of the Year is destined to be a rich shade of burgundy red, which can
be used to great effect in the home when combined with neutrals or
greys. Expect to see much more of these sorts of colours not only on
the catwalk but on the shelves of the paint aisle in your local DIY
store too.
Coloured Window Frames
Until recently, your only option when
installing uPVC windows was a white frame. White is bright, clean and
practical, but can look very out of place on a period property.
Expect to see an increasing number of companies offering coloured
frames for double glazed units, and especially in darker shades of
grey or black. Black window frames are just as easy to clean and care
for as white ones, but can make a real impact on the look of your
property. Black draws your attention in a way which white does not,
and from the inside if you have a view to be proud of from your
windows, black can almost act as a “frame” for the view outside.
Coloured window frames are a little pricier than standard white at
present, but expect prices to come down as they become more popular.
Recycling and Upcycling
Over the last decade we’ve all become
more aware of the impact our actions have on the planet, and
recycling has become second nature. Thanks to presenters like Kirstie
Allsop or George Clarke on Channel 4, we’ve also become more
switched on to the idea of rather than chucking away an old table or
bookcase, we can transform it into something else, or pass it onto
someone else who will. As well as helping reduce the amount of
furniture and household goods which go to landfill, this is a great
way of reducing costs. All it takes is a little bit of vision and
hard work, and there are plenty of television programmes, websites
and blogs to inspire you. If
you are on a budget, check out this article which will give you
other ideas about money saving ways to transform your home.
Statement Lighting
Lighting is an often forgotten element
of interior design, but is going to be big news in 2015 and beyond. A
statement light doesn’t have to mean a glitzy chandelier; all
lighting retailers now stock a wide range of unusual lights which
will make an impact in your home and bring it bang up to date.
Remember though that a statement light has to be considered as part
of the overall design scheme, and buying a statement light without
thinking about the rest of the room at the same time will not have
the effect you might hope for. It’s usually better to visit a
lighting store to look for a large statement light as it can be
difficult to get an idea of scale if you are just browsing pictures
online. If you’re spending a considerable sum on new lighting, it’s
also worth getting in the professionals to make sure it’s installed
properly.
Geometric Shapes
Also sometimes called the “honeycomb
trend”, experts all agree that we can expect to see much more use
of octagons, hexagons, pentagons and other multi-sided geometric
shapes in interior design over the next year or so. Expect to see
these shapes popping up on wallpaper and flooring, as well as in the
design of oddly-shaped chairs or tables. One note of caution though;
this is one of those trends which is likely to disappear as quickly
as it appeared, and unless you have the budget to replace furniture
in a year or so, it’s probably best to think about using this trend
in ways which can be more easily replaced, such as with
wallpaper which can be painted over or artwork which can removed
when tastes change.
Metallics
Metallic paint
and other home interiors items have been around for many years now,
but top designers such as Kelly Hoppen believe that in 2015 we are
going to see metallics used in a completely different way. Up until
now we have been buying items with just one shade of metal used, but
in 2015 this is predicted to change with gold being used in
combination with silver or copper. This trend is likely to be seen
not only in wallpaper and flooring but also in fabrics. One of the
easiest and quickest ways of getting in on this trend is to look out
for cushion covers or throws made using a variety of different
metallic shades, or to try to source some fabric and make your own.
In terms of colour, metallic shades mixed with black is going to
continue as a huge trend through 2015 but exercise caution when
trying to recreate this look as too much black and metal can be
overwhelming. Less is usually more.
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