Interior trends this winter
Let’s take a look at the hottest interior trends this winter. Winter is the most indoor season, so it’s crucial to have rooms that feel baa-eautiful and uplifting to be in. An interior design project or two may even be the key to keeping yourself motivated and upbeat through the darker months.
Here are five great design ideas to get you thinking:
1: Warm minimalism
The minimal aesthetic is cut-back, sleek and refreshing. If you want an airy sense of space in your home, use natural fabrics, neutral colours and get rid of all that clutter! A few signature pieces, such as a well-chosen chair, table or plant, will make a real statement if they’re not surrounded by hundreds of other belongings like ornaments, magazines, photos, coffee tables and knick-knacks. Let’s face it, minimalism is a good excuse for a clear-out!
A minimal room that works well makes me want to sigh when I enter it because it feels like a haven of tranquillity; my mind instantly becomes more peaceful. For those of us who still like some colour and warmth in our lives, rather than opting for cooler greys, blues and whites, there will be plenty of the warmer neutral colours on offer this winter – from various shades of brown to ochre and terracotta. So, use these shades to create a sense of cohesion in your room, without overcrowding the space. The end result will feel earthy, wholesome and nourishing.
2: Pleasing backgrounds
With the upsurge in video calls over recent years, we now regularly see inside each other’s houses. Isn’t that weird? We get sneaky peeks inside the houses of complete strangers! Are you someone who peers behind the person who’s being interviewed on the news to see what their décor is like? (I thought I wasn’t the only one!) I’ve spotted all kinds of things I love, from spartan attic studios to bookshelves where all the books are arranged according to the colour of their spines – love that look.
It’s probably time we all thought about our backdrops a bit more. What’s behind your office chair? A pile of books and a stack of ironing, or a carefully placed picture or plant? What about considering some beautiful wall art, a tapestry or rug, (something sheepie?), some open shelving with books and plants, or simply a good old-fashioned dresser?
If you work from home, have a think about the impression you’re creating when you speak to your clients and colleagues online; it will affect your interior design decisions and inspire new approaches. It can be fun too.
3: Clever tiles
Cleverly arranged tiles that create amazing patterns seem to be a big trend this year. Whether they’re in your bathroom, utility room or kitchen, eye-catching tiles seem to be catching on.
Tiles have often been used in areas with plenty of footfall because they’re easy to wash down and maintain. But now they seem to be popular in some unlikely places too, from headboards and fireplaces to feature walls – yes, a whole wall of tiles! After all, if you have a minimalist room with understated colours, a striking tiled wall can become a real feature.
As Adrian Blundell of Craven Dunnill Jackfield said recently in an interview with House Beautiful: “Tiles are beautiful pieces of art on their own and have the power to utterly transform a room. If you’re looking to experiment with bold colours and décors and inspired layouts and patterns, tiles are the perfect way to make a distinctive design statement that is uniquely individual.”
So, why not go tile crazy and indulge your powers of creativity?
Images @oakappledecor
4. Clashing colours
Moving away from the subtlety of minimalism with its gentle sense of cohesion, you may wish to go all-out colour mad!Annie Sloan told House Beautiful recently, “But we can’t be using greys and whites anymore, as we’ll just keep depressing ourselves.” Instead, she suggests combining an array of colours in a room, like bright reds, ambers and browns, or even reds, oranges and pinks, to create a bold, elevating and energising colour scheme.
I have to agree with her! Personally, I can’t get enough colour in my life. Colour lifts my spirits and makes me feel alive. Annie Sloan explains that if you add just one small thing of a clashing colour, the effect won’t work; you’ve got to be really courageous and go wild with colour – filling the whole space with two or three clashing colours that really buzz.
5: Craftsmanship
Beautiful pieces of finely crafted furniture can make a huge difference to our homes. They feel precious and personal. In fact, many people are moving away from buying mass-produced flimsy pieces of furniture and they’re investing in just a few signature pieces created with skill, love and pride. There’s a story behind each item; you can almost imagine the workshop and the hours that have gone into designing and making the piece of furniture or accessory.
These finely crafted pieces will raise a smile and they’ll be a talking point for years to come. They’ll make your home feel truly authentic. If you need a piece re-covering, do keep in mind that we offer a bespoke service and love to work with sheepskin on vintage stools, chairs and much loved benches.
