LIFESTYLE
If you are a fan of grey, look away now. Grey, greige, beige, generally those tones that are lifted from a cliff’s edge, have dominated home colour schemes for the past few years, and it is easy to see why. They are calming, they have a touch of luxe, the various shades compliment each other and can be lifted by a pop of dusky colour here and there in the form of throws, cushions and artwork.
But design predictors foresee a move away from these sandy colours and a move towards something a little bolder, but tapping into the same, serene idea. Stronger mocha browns, soft pinks, ochre, ochre and burgundy are becoming really popular and add an air of confidence to your design choices.
If you want to make a real splash, heavily decorated wallpaper in contrasting patterns is going to be huge in small spaces – think a tropical print adorning your understairs loo, complete with brass finishes on the handles and taps. Don’t be afraid to take a walk on the wild side, especially in rooms you aren’t going to be sitting in all evening long (one would hope!).
Interior designers have been encouraging their clients to get out of their comfort zones, by thinking about their own favourite colours and how to use them in their home. Love lilac? Put it on a pillow! Partial to pink? Go ahead and use it on the wall. Pink in particular is a big choice for kitchens year, in a soft, retro tone rather than bubble-gum or hot. It looks luxurious paired with gold; paired with a pale wood, it gives a cool Scandinavian feel, which is a trend that we won’t see go away any time soon.
If you are looking to update your décor on a smaller scale, try switching out your light fixtures. If you are a fan of the Big Light being on at all times, you may benefit from updating your lampshade. If you prefer mood lighting, try your local homeware store for their latest lamp stock – vintage style is very on trend, or even something a little kitsch. You don’t need to spend a huge amount one these little finishes – it’s fun to mix them up every few years or so, and anything you have grown tired of that is still in good nick can be donated.
On that note, minimalist perfection is being replaced with a move towards reintroducing well-placed and curated decoration. A cluster of vases in different shapes and materials can add a lot of interest to a neglected corner, and will encourage you to visit your local garden centre for seasonal flowers and plants to place in them.
You may have a pile of unread books on your bedside locker – how about moving a few of them to a side table in the living room, or even dining room? Plop a tchotchke on top to complete the picture; it will look intentional but might also remind you to pick one of the books up and actually read it some idle afternoon!
Another simple but effective way of updating your décor for the new season is to add layers. This can be with blankets and throws – add a couple in contrasting colours or complementary print over the back of your sofa and you’re done. When you want to switch them out again, because you’re sick of the sight of them or if they’ve got tatty, re-use them next year as picnic blankets.
You can also add a layering effect by choosing different tactiles and materials, like placing a fluffy rug over your sitting room carpet. Just be mindful of size – too small and the rug will look out of place.
You could also try your hand at an eclectic gallery wall – instead of having uniform frames filled with black-and-white photographs, choose a selection of types and fill them with a mixture of family photos, postcards, prints and kids’ artwork, and see the place transformed.
Little tweaks can make all the difference, to your mood and to your everyday enjoyment of your home. Big ones sometimes take a leap of faith but be brave and go for it – life is too short to worry about getting it right every single time, and mistakes can be a learning opportunity. For expert advice, go to your local suppliers, who will have the time and expertise to talk you through your vision.
Beirt 