Unsurprisingly, many of this year’s home interior trends are directly inspired by our experiences of the pandemic. We’ve been mulling over home decor ideas which make us feel safe, comfortable and happy, those which give the impression of space, connect us better with nature, and enable household members to live together more harmoniously. These are not so much design trends, but rather lifestyle trends which have taken hold as an instinctive response to the way our lives have had to alter. They are likely to be around for many years to come.
Cottagecore
Cottagecore is not a new concept, but since lockdown, it seems more relevant than ever. It’s like a warm comfort blanket that embraces the home, and is a global phenomenon, uniting young and old, from all walks of life. It’s a romantic reflection of rural life and a less complex world of a bygone era. In a nutshell the trend uses colours, patterns and details your granny might well have adopted for her home!
The essence of cottagecore is whimsical and nostalgic, but with quirky and green elements that reflect our need for beauty, sustainability and security. Staying at home during three lockdowns has given the trend momentum. With more time on our hands, we’re taking up traditional skills and crafts including flower arranging, gardening, baking and pottery. Cottagecore design can work in any home, but if yours has interesting features, such as exposed beams, original floorboards or panelled walls (also a growing trend in its own right), these elements give your interior intrinsic cottagecore value.
Japandi
Japandi is a minimalist trend that’s all about clean lines and no clutter. With many homes at full capacity over the last twelve months, a light and spacious feel to our interiors is certainly an appealing vibe many of us have been craving. This trend is a fusion of east meets west, in which Scandinavian elements are teamed with the design traditions of Japan.
Japandi is the perfect trend for those who relish a bit of order – the organisational and functional element of the look creates a calming feel with its pared-back aesthetic, natural materials and muted shades, which make it a versatile trend for use in any room in your home. Natural motifs and textures also play a key role.
Stoneware and ceramics particularly symbolise this look; usually in organic shapes and colours, with a homemade vibe. Colours are muted in hues of grey and white, with plain walls, although wallpaper in earthy colours incorporating natural prints also embodies the trend. In the place of flowers, choose tall, elegant grasses in vases or in baskets. Online searches for Japandi have increased dramatically over recent months, and the style continues to grow in popularity.
Biophilic Design
Our love affair with houseplants and the great outdoors show no sign of waning. In-fact it’s been our connection with nature which has often carried us through this pandemic; a mood-booster and a tonic in such uncertain times.
Biophilia describes design and architecture that focuses on our innate human connection with nature, and embraces nature at its core. It’s all about bringing the outdoor in, and indoors out. Outdoor space has become a key part of any home as we spend more time enjoying nature. We are also demanding more of our gardens throughout all the seasons. Our outdoor areas are extensions of our living space, providing us with places where we can relax and switch off, with the possibility of remaining social. Flexible soft seating, outdoor kitchens and heating provision, along with some form of all-weather shelter, will all ensure we can use our outside space all year round.
As we wait for spring to arrive and our gardens to reawaken, caring for lush houseplants keeps us in touch with nature. Greenery is said to promote feelings of calm, as well as purify the air, filtering out pollutants and releasing oxygen. Choose either large plants for a bold feature, or a throng of smaller ones, and if you’re hanging them from the wall, use rattan or macrame holders which look effective and are also sustainable.
The use of the colour green in our homes has seen an upsurge in popularity. Green painted walls in earthy, organic hues such as olive and sage are very on trend. Indoor foliage and botanicals as well as green fabric ranges are also riding the wave of popularity. Science shows that just looking at something green can slow the heart rate and reduce stress, so from both a mental and a physical wellbeing standpoint, biophilic design won’t be disappearing from our homes any time soon.
Flexible Spaces
For many of us, working from home is looking like a permanent fixture, even if it’s on a part-time basis. We’ve spent the past year placing more and more demands on the space and functionality of our homes, few of which were originally equipped for such a sudden and drastic change in their usage.
Living and working in the same space isn’t always easy. Without a dedicated space for working in, makes it hard to focus during the day, and then switch off again at ‘home-time’. This is where zoning comes into its own, which separates different areas of an open space with shelving, lighting, plants or wall art. Multi-purpose furniture is ideal for creating versatile spaces. Fit a wall-bed in your guest bedroom and a desk with bespoke storage to support your work from home life, and you’ve created two rooms in one, and fully maximised your space.
As you’d expect, this year's garden trends are reflecting those indoors. In the same way that today’s homes now have to multitask, so too do our gardens. As well as connecting with nature, we are also using our gardens to entertain friends and family whilst keeping them safe. In addition, garden offices and studios have become immensely popular, further reflecting the importance of our outdoor spaces. And whether your garden is large or small, investing time and money in it as a purposeful and aesthetically pleasing extension of your home, makes good sense.
Happiness On Display
Spending so much time at home has made us survey our living spaces and create new areas for new activities. Likewise, it’s made us examine the aesthetics of our homes and consider the updates we’d like to make; those which will make us feel positive and good about ourselves. Sometimes all we need to boost our mood are little reminders of what makes us happy. Surrounding ourselves with things that make us smile can have a huge impact on how we feel.
Recently we’ve had the time to create displays, whether a gallery of wall art, treasured trinkets or a windowsill of herb and succulents, and then rearrange them for an improved look.
There is something soothing and comforting about choosing favourite pieces and arranging them, then re-arranging them, or adding new elements into the mix. Depending on what you’re displaying, floating shelves are the perfect way to show off your treasures, and of course a thoughtfully curated shelf makes for the perfect Zoom background!
At Hartleys we’re good at creating bespoke furniture which will achieve the versatility you’re looking for in your home. Our multipurpose designs will optimise your interiors, such as our wall-beds and fitted window seats, creating more space for living and storage provision, and ultimately making your home a more organised and harmonious environment to live in. If you’d like to speak to us about your fitted furniture plans, we’d love to hear from you on 01756 700471 or via our website.
