Each year, new and evolving design trends emerge to set the stage for interior design inspiration. 2018 is no different, with new color palettes, materials and technology to motivate new designs.
If you’re making plans to update your home but need help choosing an updated style or fresh color palette, don’t fret. Interior design trends from all over the style spectrum are fair game in 2018.
As popular as cool grays have been over the past few years, interior design is headed toward a warmer color landscape this year.
We’ll see a shift toward more tans, light browns, beiges, and gray’s warmer-toned sibling, “greige” (a happy medium between beige and gray).
Homeowners can use these neutrals to provide a backdrop for bolder colors, or incorporate shades of beige and brown throughout their design for a warm look.
The rumor is true: brass is the design world’s accent metal of choice, and 2018 will see that trend continue. Homeowners can expect to see more brass popping up in interior design, even more so than last year’s copper trend.
Incorporate brass anywhere your design might need some warmth or shine. Bold light fixtures, elegant lamps, and end tables featuring brass can help create a dynamic feel in any room.
Trying to decide which brass fixtures are right for your space? Consider opting for products made from recycled scrap brass and copper for a more sustainable approach.
It’s no secret that natural light is highly-coveted by designers, photographers, and anyone looking to add a little sunshine to their space. Homeowners today are making more permanent changes to maximize those precious daylight hours.
Spaces that incorporate natural light can actually help keep us physically and emotionally healthy. And without the need to turn on lights during the day, energy consumption can go down by 50 to 80 percent, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.
Glass doors and windows help to deliver more light into a home. However, homeowners can incorporate even more light in their design by placing light sources as high up as possible, or using mirrors to reflect more light into a room.
While lighting has always been an integral part of great interior design, recessed or hidden lighting is a way to put less focus on the fixtures themselves while highlighting other key design elements.
Homeowners can used recessed lighting throughout the home to showcase unique design, like this kitchen that features warm lighting above the cabinets.
Consider using LED lights in your recessed light feature. They’re more energy-efficient and longer-lasting than incandescent bulbs, so homeowners can enjoy reduced electric bills (and fewer bulb changes).
Plant enthusiasts, rejoice: your beloved succulents remain on-trend this year! Adding touches of live greenery throughout your home promotes warmth, improves air quality, and looks great too.
Consider mixing different colors of leafy plants (dark and light greens, reds, and yellows), and don’t fret if you don’t have a green thumb. Low-maintenance plants like cacti, ivy, and Peace Lilies thrive well indoors and are easily rejuvenated with the right dose of sunlight or water.
Live plants aren’t the only organic elements popping up in homes this year. More interiors will feature natural materials like real wood accents, metal finishings or stone. These materials also bring an element of nature indoors, creating a more inviting and organic environment.
Perhaps the perfect complement to warmer, natural interiors, the design concept of Hygge has gained traction over the past few years. Based on the Danish word for coziness and comfort, the influence of hygge dominated Pinterest boards in 2017.
This trend towards soft luxury and indulgence isn’t going away, and we expect to see the design concept evolve towards a balance of comfort and function. You can incorporate hygge by adding plush pillows and textured rugs to your design—anything that encourages comfort and contentment.
Want to keep your design from turning frumpy? Add a structured, modern-style coffee table or hang artwork in clean, simple frames to add a little contrast and interest.
Despite the current swing toward all things cozy, bold colors have also made a comeback. Take a plunge with deep reds, oranges, and jewel tones like teal and indigo.
If you have your heart set on a soft, comforting design, no need to worry. You don’t have to eliminate all things bold! Incorporate pops of deep color into accent pieces like throw pillows, lamp shades, or coffee tables to keep your design subtle but on-trend.
If a wifi-ready thermostat and smart home assistant were on your holiday wish list last year, you’re not alone. Home automation is no longer a concept of the future.
Many home components can now be controlled by smartphone apps or even our voices. As a result, the line between interior design and convenience is blurring.
In simplifying technology requirements around your home, you’ll also streamline the look of each room.
No matter which trends you choose to incorporate in your home, remember to stay true to your personal style. Love all things modern but don’t want to sacrifice comfort? A mix of Hygge design with bold colors may be perfect for you. Or maybe you want to make the most of your new, automated window shades? Don’t forget to add a healthy dose of live plants to soak up all that natural sunlight!
Great design not only looks amazing, but is functional, too. It’s up to you to choose the perfect balance.
Get more design tips and inspiration on our Inspiration Page.