Trends In Interior Home Design

There are a few trends in interior home design which are worth noting. However, I would like to point out that there are some "trends" that become "fads" and will be outdated in 10 years.

Other elements of design are classic, and will be around for a very long time. Put this in the back of your mind when you start to make your design/decorating decisions.

Eco-friendly Interior Home Design

More and more, design products focus on organic, natural, and recycled items. In the past, eco-friendly (Green) design was not only boring, but downright ugly.

That isn't the case anymore. There is now stylish interpretation proving that decor can be beautiful and exciting while being earth friendly.

Today's consumers want more than a "green" label. They look for proof that what they buy meets their idea of ecological responsibility. Linens can be created from organic cotton that is grown, spun, woven and sewn by underprivileged women in third-world countries.

Eco-bedding and several high-end fabrics will soon be trying to bring "green" into the luxury market. Well known designers are working on eco-linens which feel and look like silk.

In addition, the patterns and details normally seen on fashion runways will be seen in the home. The first such products will probably be pillows.

Hard products like flooring, tables, bowls and other accessories are made from quickly-replenished materials such as bamboo - which replaces itself in 3 to 10 years versus 30 to 50 years for many hardwood trees.

Trends in Colors and Textures

Historically, complementary colors and neutral colors dominated the thinking of interior home design professionals. Now they are leaning heavily toward contrasting colors. However, they are going with rich, deep tones, and staying away from bright colors.

Examples include: light blue set against dark cocoa; sage combined with a sienna; or a light yellowish green (like seafoam green) matched with a brick red. Off-whites will contrast nicely with a variety of dark earthy colors.

Because they are so versatile, off-whites will be coming up big in the next few years. Contrasting colors give a room depth, making it seem larger.

Contrasting textures, like smooth against rough (steel or glass against burlap or rough sawn wood), also provide depth and interest. You can also consider accenting a smooth fabric with a rough one. For example, you can throw a folded horsehair blanket over part of a chenille sofa.

Proportions Remain Important

The larger the space, the larger the furnishings should be. This is old news, and will remain as part of the thinking of any interior designer. You can add drama in a large room with over-sized lamps, big floral arrangements, mirrors with ornate frames, and various other oversized accessories.

Another way to add interest to large rooms is by combining ethnic influences. Upcoming trends will include China, Russia, Morocco, India, and especially, Latin America.

Still another possibility is to introduce more contemporary items into your interior home design. A fun twist which has been around for a few years is the re-interpretation of class period pieces in new modern forms and designs. I know of one designer who enjoys taking Louis XVI seating and putting 21st century upholstery on it. Okay, that's a little wierd, but you get the general idea.

Looking at the other end of the spectrum - the small room - there is a growing trend toward down-sizing traditional pieces. For instance, a leather winged-back chair (typically a man's chair) has been made smaller, given a softer leather, and claimed to be a woman's chair. Leather is a staple, but it's being applied in creative ways. You may not know that leather can be dyed to any color.

In conclusion, beautiful design is not enough for today's interior home design professional. Homeowners want more utility and multi-use items incorporated into their furnishings. They want their everyday lives to be easier and more organized.

There is also a growing appreciation for the craftsmanship of hand-crafted products for the home. Furnishings should give a message that says "this is uniquely me." Furniture and decor is mixed and matched to suit the homeowners personality and experiences.

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The goal of interior home design is to make your home a sanctuary, where soothing colors and decor create a serene and happy environment. A place to get away from the many stresses which exist outside your front door.

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