Fun and Fabulous Design Trends for 2019

The ascetic and subtly masculine feel of the Scandinavian design trend has, in recent years, dominated the design world (and is still wielding some influence). But in 2019, that trend is finally being overtaken by a softer, more feminine look. Honestly, it’s about time! We’re loving the warmth of these news trends — from colors to materials to forms. Think less serious, more fun!

Florals

Floral prints covering larger areas, like walls, rugs and bedspreads, are in this year. According to Erin Gates of Erin Gates Design[link: http://www.eringatesdesign.com/] in Newton, Massachusetts, “The traditional beauty of floral patterns, either abstracted or straight up chintz, will be the pattern to use.”

Balance is crucial here, so use floral for only one of the above places and leave it at that. Otherwise the beauty of the print is lost and floral overkill is, well, overkill!

Mixed Metals

When it comes to accent finishes, nothing is more elegant or stately than gold. Except rose gold, which is out this year. Going heavy on the brass or copper is also out, but mixing metals is in!

Keita Turner of Keita Turner Design in New York City offers a few rules of thumb: “An ensemble of metal accents (no more than a mix of two to three different metal accents) used throughout a room is in and will always be a timeless and tasteful way to create balance and definition in an environment. For example, brass, gold or nickel accents mix well with either oil-rubbed bronze or aged iron accents. Metals like silver and pewter can mix well with bronze and black-brown metals. It’s all about moderation and context.”

Warm Pastels

Pale pastels are not in, but warm pastels are. Warm pastels are the deeper and warmer and more grown-up versions of their, shall we say, pallid relatives. These colors are sophisticated. Among those alluring new pastels is Pantone’s Color of the Year — Living Coral. Isn’t she gorgeous?

This color trend fits right in with all of the warmth and femininity we’re seeing this year. Or as Pantone explains, “Vibrant, yet mellow PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.” Ok, so that description is a little over the top, and yet who doesn’t want to feel warmed and nourished?

Light Wood Floors

What better way to brighten and warm an interior than with light wood floors? Those dark wood floors are out. Finally! (Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to move product.) Those dark wood floors make a room feel heavy and a lot smaller. I guess that’s okay for those of us with ballroom-sized living rooms, but stick with light and honey-toned floors to make a room feel lighter, brighter and bigger.

Artisan and Handmade

“Items made by hand using sustainable materials like jute, rice paper and clay will be in in 2019,” says Kristen Peña of K Interiors in San Francisco. “We see people needing these grounding elements in their homes as a way to feel more in touch with the earth and their roots.”

Beyond that sense of grounding, who doesn’t love unique decor? Custom, bespoke, limited production and one-off pieces definitely result in a one-of-a-kind interior. Going this route is also a fantastic way to support local designers and businesses.

Organic Shapes

Soft curves and irregular forms are what this trend is all about — though we hesitate to call it a trend. Organic statement pieces stand the test of time and are a future-proof investment. Think about it. Organic and organic-inspired pieces would be as fitting in a Scandinavian interior as they would within this year’s feminine design trend. They really can be worked into almost any aesthetic.

Sustainable Materials

I don’t think we can talk about organic shapes and artisan pieces without talking about sustainability. These things all fit together, like pieces of a puzzle. And sometimes figuring out how something is made and where it comes from is like a puzzle, too! With a wealth of information and resources available at their fingertips, consumers are more educated than ever and are realizing that they can vote with their wallets.

Once upon a time, most eco options were a bit granola. That is no longer true! There is already a wide variety of sustainable materials and products available on the market, and this trend means there will be even more great options to choose from. It also means sustainability is becoming the more economical choice, which is great news for our budgets and our planet.

We are so excited for these design trends of 2019, the oh-so “trendy” trends and the ones that are timeless and will be designer worthy, year after year!