Expert-Approved Trends in Home Decor and Design

Are you ready to give your home a fresh new look? Look no further because we’ve got the inside scoop on expert-approved trends in home decor and design. From sleek minimalist aesthetics to bold statement pieces, these trends are sure to inspire and transform any space. Whether you’re looking to revamp your living room or create a serene oasis in your bedroom, our blog post will guide you through the latest styles that top designers are raving about. You don’t have to change your house every year to keep up with all the latest interior design trends, but if you’re planning any renovations or redecorations for your home this year, these are the expert-approved trends for this year to take as a starting point. So get ready to unleash your inner decorator as we delve into the world of expert-approved trends in home decor and design!

Sculptural Furniture

It’s always exciting to see what’s happening in interior design for the year, and right now, the trendy style of furniture to have is sculptural furniture. You can see this in dining room chairs, accent chairs, coffee tables and round sofas. All of these interestingly shaped pieces are perfect for people who don’t really like a lot of colours and patterns but want to make a statement. Sculptural furniture isn’t about having loud and vibrant fabrics on them, but really embracing the shape. It’s the perfect opportunity to upcycle old furniture. This trend is definitely transitioning into home decor as well, with many interestingly shaped mirrors and smaller decor pieces. 

Traditional Style

The traditional style in home design is coming back. It’s‌ cosy and nostalgic but also fancy-looking. And it’s the natural answer, following the minimalism trend that’s had us in chains for so long. It’s getting more into lighting fixtures and wall art through oil and portrait paintings. This style isn’t about minimalism but about layering, collecting, and storytelling. It makes a home feel more personal, as a home should be. If you figure out how to do it in a modern way through little touches, it’ll definitely look on-trend. 

Picture Frame Moulding

This isn’t really a trend but rather a timeless detail to add to your home. It’s something that’s been around for hundreds of years, which instantly makes your space look elegant. It pairs beautifully with sculptural and even antique furniture. You can do it all across the wall from the floor to the ceiling, halfway up your wall, or just three-quarters of the way. There are many ways that you can incorporate picture frame moulding into the interior design. It brings a tonne of detail and adds dimension to your space. 

Natural Materials

The current trends that implement as many natural materials as possible are a way to celebrate humans’ connection to nature. Wood cabinets and grain are currently a big trend in kitchens. They give warmth and depth and tend to be applied to flat-panel doors and drawer fronts for a more Scandinavian or Japandi look. They represent an effort to keep the interior as natural as possible. A copper faucet matching a copper sink is the perfect farmhouse type of focal point for a kitchen. Currently, having sinks that match these warmer, golden tones of metal is a huge trend. Gold, brass, and copper have been popular kitchen materials for a long time and don’t seem to be going away soon. They give an old-world-meets-new-modern kitchen aesthetic. Besides warm metals, sinks with stone finishes have also been very popular. Soapstone and marble sinks are beautiful showpieces that add a striking element to a kitchen. Another current trend is backsplash tiles that are all about ceramic, glossy finishes and an imperfect overall look. Hand-glazed tiles tend to have a slightly wavy surface that catches the light and varies slightly in colour. Together, they create a lovely, mottled effect on the walls. They’re easy to clean and provide a nice, old-world charm.

Softer Interior with Curved, Round Edges

In the past, everything in the interior design was square, rectangular, sharp and modern, but now, it’s a little softer. Too many straight lines and jagged edges increase the sense of anxiety in a room. Studies have shown that our brains interpret such patterns as dangerous, activating a survival response that initiates a series of emotional and chemical reactions. This releases adrenaline and cortisol, and long-term exposure to them can diminish our health. Curves in the decor items soften everything about the space. It’s been scientifically proven that they have a soothing effect on the mind. Not coincidentally curved furniture has been a big trend over the past few years. However, it’s not necessary to decorate in all the latest and most expensive trends; just make a conscious effort to bring curvy objects into your space. This can be oval vases rounded edges on the dining table or seating. You can also use your handyman skills to hang a rounded mirror or install round wall sconces. Even a draped blanket over the hard edge of a chair can visually change the feeling of a room. Small changes like these will help you put your mind at ease and relax. 

Sandy, White Oak Floors

The days of dark wood floors are gone. They show a lot of dust, aren’t very practical and are dating your living space. If you’re picking out wood floors for your home, even with laminate floors, stay away from them and lean more towards lighter ones. Light-coloured flooring makes it easy to decorate. It’s a versatile finish and hides a lot more dust and dirt. On that note, stay away from the blue-grey tones as well. 

Plants

There’s a reason they’re popular in interiors. Plants are probably the most universally implemented decor item because greenery boosts mood. Taking up gardening has been proven to positively benefit mental health. Plants can also help with loneliness and sadness by providing a sense of purpose because caring for a living thing and witnessing it flourish and grow can provide gratification. However, the plans you introduce to your space don’t have to be real. Faux plants have the exact same effect. 

Artworks and Art Pieces

Introducing artwork into the decor has similar benefits to plants. Tree landscapes, in particular, have a positive effect by representing growth and stability. Studies ‌by neurobiologists from the UCL discovered that viewing art can give you some of the same feelings as falling in love. Using art to decorate your space can have a profound effect on how you feel in your home and your well-being. The art doesn’t have to be an original or expensive piece; your subconscious can’t tell the difference. Art with more lively and vibrant colours can be energising and appropriate for common areas like the living and dining rooms, while for bedrooms, soothing abstracts or calming landscapes in soft neutral tones will make it a restorative space that helps you recharge. You can also go for photographs that make you feel happy.

Mirrors

People use mirrors for various reasons, which aren’t limited to checking their outfits or touching up their make-up. They’re useful and beautiful, some coming in unique shapes or ornate frames. They give the illusion of a bigger space, increase the appeal of a room, its lighting, and balance its energy. Because of that, they’re generally encouraged in interior design. However, avoid mirror overload. They add to the visual complexity of a room by reflecting everything around them. If your room is already cluttered, mirrors will amplify the clutter. Our brains don’t like that. Mirrors can also cause some people a bit of anxiety to be looking at themselves too much. If you’re struggling with that, consider replacing them with artwork.

Additional Sources of Lighting

If you have a small living space, the appropriate amount of lighting can open it up. Skip the blackout blinds and let natural light in, or use an additional source to bring warmth to the space. If you don’t have enough room for floor or table lamps, space them out in areas that don’t occupy a lot of space. Think of string lights, wall sconces and pendant lights. Lighting can make your room feel brighter and cosier at night as well. Lots of lamps and wall lights combined with pendant lights will do the trick. Choose options that allow you to direct the light for different tasks, such as reading and writing.

Big Rugs Instead of Small Ones

When you’re considering buying a new rug, always place your furniture first where you want it to be, and then measure for a rug. For a living room, a big area rug should fit perfectly under all the key places or at least the front legs of the major upholstered pieces. In a dining room, make sure all your dining chairs fit on the rug, and it’s one that extends at each side of the table. But here’s the trick – if you already have a small rug, you can fix the situation by layering it with another small one. The idea is that bigger rugs can make even the smallest room look larger. After all, if you can’t make your room bigger, why not make it look bigger?

Coffee Table Tray

It serves a practical and a styling purpose. Coffee table trays break up the surface of a coffee table because their styling can look bland, especially if everything’s low-profile. With a tray, you can still keep the decor low-profile, but it looks more interesting. If your coffee table is wooden, putting on a hammered pewter tray with the books on top will break it up and add a new texture, colour, and visual interest without you having to play with the height or mix and match. A coffee table tray also makes it easier to use the table itself. If you sometimes like to eat in front of the TV, and you do it on your coffee table, it’s a hassle to move the decor every single day. You’ll need a storage place, and it’s a lot of effort, which isn’t ideal after a long day of work. A coffee table tray will save you time and effort. 

Glass Partitions and Doors

Open-plan living has caused some issues during the pandemic. So a lot of new ideas and solutions popped up. We’ve all been working or studying from home, and many households have found it can be distracting and noisy. So here’s one solution – if you want to make a part of your living space more private, glass partitions are a great way to create some division without sacrificing the feeling of openness and spaciousness that open plans provide.

Final Thoughts and Ideas

These expert-approved trends in home decor and design offer a wealth of inspiration for transforming your space into a stylish sanctuary. From the timeless allure of natural materials to the bold statements made by vibrant colours and patterns, there’s something for every taste and preference. By incorporating these trends into your own home, you can create an environment that not only reflects your personal style but also promotes comfort and relaxation. So go ahead, embrace the power of these trends and let them guide you on a journey towards a more beautiful and inviting living space. Remember, when it comes to home decor and design, expert advice can be invaluable – but ultimately, it’s about creating a space that feels uniquely yours.