Goodbye Stark Spaces; Hello Warmth and Comfort

I was recently thumbing through a piece in Architectural Digest spotlighting Kanye and Kim Kardashian West’s home in California: an ultra minimalistic 8,000 square foot Hidden Hills mansion. Let me share an example with you––their music room:

Minimalist? Indeed. Inspiring? Apparently for Kanye.  A matter of personal taste, of course. I do know one fact: Americans are spending more time at home with their families than ever before. Hence, home designs that incorporate more warmth and functionality are gaining popularity. 

During this unprecedented time, the image of our home as a safe haven has taken on an even greater level of truth and significance. Indeed, it’s the place that nurtures us, a classroom for our children, our home theater, gym, sanctuary. If there’s anything we’ve learned during this period of sheltering in place, it’s that our homes should be comforting to us, filled with the things that soothe rather stress us.  Ideally, our dwellings should bring us as much peace as possible (yes, even with kids in lockdown *wink wink*)!

Every decade brings changes in interior design trends: new decade = new ideas! Many interior and furniture design experts are emphasizing that when it comes to design in the next decade, individuality will be extremely important when crafting a space that resonates with one’s individual lifestyle. Here are just a few interior design trends we can expect to see in the 2020’s. 

Off-Trend Will be On-Trend

Stark industrial designs will never completely disappear; however, there will certainly be a shift from minimalist spaces to what Los Angeles based interior designer, Delta Wright, says will be anything “uber-unique” in the upcoming decade. “We will see highly crafted, unusual materials meticulously featured in furnishings and architecture.” People are designing their homes to reflect their personalities and creating spaces that tell their story. Because, after all, what makes you truly happy is more important than what you see in magazines or on social media. 

Colors Will Become the New Neutrals

Stark neutrals will be replaced by warm colors, saturated hues, and jewel tones, according to Christina Coop, cofounder of Hygge & West. “Tiles, cabinetry, and walls all serve as opportunities for more color,” she says. “We’ll be seeing more pattern mixing with color, tying together patterns of varying origin and scale.  Pattern matching, e.g. where the same pattern flows from the wall to upholstered furniture or bedding, is also becoming more common.” Now, I don’t know about you all, but this trend sounds like it’s about to become my next project at home!

Bold Trim And Ceilings

Kelley Mason, stylist at Lulu & Georgia, says high contrast design is making a big comeback.

“It gives a monochromatic room a crispness and a fresher take on neutrals. Bold black and white feels fresh yet timeless. “ This style is easily achieved through moldings and trim by making them colorful and contrasting, creating a monotone space by matching it to the wall color, or high gloss paint that’s usually reserved for trim to extend to the entire wall. 

Natural Luxury

We can expect to see more natural, sustainable materials with a luxurious spin like marble finishes in bathrooms and kitchens and also marble accents such as vases, bowls, and candleholders.  Linen will also be coveted, but in beautiful jewel tones, with finished edges that feel more polished than the raw-edge boho take we’ve seen in the past. *Swooooooon!*

If there’s one way to describe the interior design trends we will see more of in 2020 and beyond, it’s anything goes! While the signature stark minimalist look won’t be going away entirely, it will certainly evolve in the upcoming years. From a real estate perspective, these trends are important to take into consideration when staging a home for sale––comfort, warmth, and texture are key for potential buyers to envision a space as their own. 

– Michelle