2010 will be a year where the right interior design is paramount. Due to the economic downturn, more and more people will be looking to entertain at home and turning to money-saving ways of making their home look special. Recycled and repurposed items mixed with eco-friendly natural materials are the over-riding themes for the year. Here is our rundown of interior design predictions for 2010.
Natural Materials – 2010 will see great popularity in the use of natural materials. Solid wood floors are already popular in many homes and this trend will continue, however this year will see natural materials becoming more popular throughout the home. Solid wood furniture with a visible grain and natural stone products will prevail over modern alternatives such as man-made boards, plastic or glass. Popular wood products this year will be eastern hardwoods such as acacia or sheesham along with a welcome return in popularity for untreated pine furniture.
Classic/Retro Style – Vintage furnishings will see a rise in popularity this year. Pay particular note to shag-pile rugs, Chesterfield sofas, antique or rustically styled furniture and bold printed fabrics. Warmth and comfort will replace many of the hard, modern lines of previous popularity. Antique furnishings combined with a modern setting create an air of sophisticated style.
Green – The colour for 2010 will be green, whether as a soft turquoise or a more vibrant tone. Bold floral printed fabrics will be popular. Try mixing green or turquoise as an accent colour with soft shades of cream or off whites. Alternatively, contrast a light green decor with splashes of orange or purple accents.
Eco-Friendly – Sustainability is no longer a synonym for dull and boring. Recycling old items is a popular way of saving money while creating a modern eclectic look. Think less recycled cans and paper and more recycled and repurposed furnishings, fabrics and accessories. Look out for unusual sustainable woods such as mango or bamboo, particularly of interest in eastern furniture and accessories.
Staying in – Staying in is the new going out. Since the recent economic downturn, trend has shifted towards entertaining at home and this will continue throughout 2010. Creating a warm, welcoming space relies on comfortable, stylish designs. Create a real talking point by repurposing or recycling an old piece of furniture such as covering a worn, old sofa in stylish, modern fabric. Check out interior design blogs and magazines for inspiration.
Outdoor Entertainment – This summer will be big for outdoor entertaining, weather permitting, and the same design trends will be popular outdoors as well as in such as solid wooden garden furniture, eastern influenced planting and repurposed items.
As with all trend predictions, they are just that, a prediction. We’re not saying that you should rush out and buy everything on our list; these are just a list of items we think will be popular this year. Just be sure to make your home your own and decorate it the way you prefer. After all, you’re the person who’ll be living in it and what’s the point in spending time decorating your own home in a way you don’t like?
This article is written by James Rockford who writes regularly for sites such as Sheesham Furniture. James is passionate about DIY, home improvement and furniture and also writes regularly for amazing sites like Zebra Rugamongst others.
