With glimmers of optimism in the economy, homeowners are more confident and ready to change their homes and experiment with different colors and design styles that reflect the following trends emerging in 2014.
Back to basics. Black and white will be popular for 2014. Both are timeless classics and can be easily juxtaposed with different colors and textures. Charcoal will remain de rigueur.
Pops of color. Vibrant hues such as coral, yellow-green and bright blue and green will dominate infusing vivid accents into neutral palettes. You can never go wrong with a blue and white combo.
Old-school symmetry. Humans are inherently comfortable with balanced spaces. With this in mind, a longstanding element in traditional interiors returns in 2014 – symmetry.
Open it up. Instead of adding square footage, homeowners are redesigning their layouts to provide an open design that is visually appealing and more functional. Rather than specific rooms, think in terms of creating zones – for example a cooking, eating and lounging zone, and a living room/dining room as another zone.
Countertops count. A new generation of resilient, easy to maintain materials is emerging as an alternative to polished granite for countertops. Surfaces like ceasarstone and recycled composite materials are ultra-durable and impervious to stains and scratches.
Backsplashes. Adding a backsplash is an easy way to update your cooking space, and for this reason, kitchen backsplashes continue to be popular with subway tiles and metal finishes prevailing. Artistic materials – such as mosaic and glass tiles – are in high demand too.
Bathroom finishes. Tile is popular in bathrooms, replacing marble and granite. Instead of standard 12 by 12 inch shapes, 12 by 24 inch tiles – set vertically – offer a compelling new look.
All about texture. Natural fabrics like corduroy, linen and velvet continue to create a fashionable, warm and inviting setting. Try accents like fabric window treatments, corduroy upholstery, velvet over-stuffed pillows and linen wallpaper.
Light up. Lighting is fundamental as it illuminates your design. LED lighting is increasingly popular and because it is long lasting, offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative. And it is aesthetically appealing. Colored LEDs create beautiful, dramatic color changing effects from a single light source.
A touch of metal. Copper and brass were hot in 2013 and will remain in style through this year. Metal continues to be a key home accent. Consider using it for furniture, lamps, artwork, accessories and more.
Go green. Sustainability continues to reign in interior design. Reclaimed and repurposed materials – among them rustic wood planks, bricks, glassware, metals, wall coverings, natural fiber materials – remain popular. Repurposing brings old furniture and other materials to life – revealing intriguing new details.
What are your design predictions and goals for the coming year? Please share your thoughts and ideas – I always love to hear from you!