With 2018 coming to a close, it's valuable to take a look back and discern the top home design trends that predominated this past year and which also reveal a glimpse of what 2019 will bring.
Many readers will likely be surprised at these selections as they reveal a rather dramatic break with trends that held on strong for a long time. For instance, after many years of white-on-white and maximalist décor and furnishings, the pendulum has swung back towards simpler, more organic styles. Hopefully, readers will feel inspired by these trends to create personal spaces of their own that speaks to the contemporary yet feels thoroughly distinct and livable to them.
Trend #1: Kitchens and dining rooms become more personalized
While all-white kitchens have been the rule for the past decade, they are falling to the wayside and being usurped right now by a mix of light wood and cabinets painted in colors that reflect the tastes and preferences of the user. Interestingly, the predominant kitchen design themes still include white but with personalized accents such as stained oak and pine and perhaps some warming silver-grey paint.
Trend #2: Natural light is roaring back
Seemingly hibernating since the 90s, sun-filled rooms -– or sunrooms –- are becoming more and more standard in renovations or new houses for obvious reasons, which may lead one to wonder why they ever fell out of fashion. Bright sunlight can sustain indoor green spaces, liven up and brighten entertainment, gathering, or family rooms and is an all-around no-brainer for the wonderful effects it can have on occupants.
This design trend doesn't necessitate a room comparable to a Victorian-era solarium. Even one or two large, predominantly sun-facing windows can bathe a space in plenty of warm, natural light.
Trend #3: Sleek yet comfortable bedrooms
A sleek and calm feel when it comes to the furnishing and décor of bedrooms is another notable break with past years. Minimalism definitely seems to be the prevailing contemporary trend in the abode. It certainly makes sense, as bedrooms first and foremost should serve as that last bastion of peace and calm in a hectic and seemingly chaotic outside world. Less is more here as well as a high degree of comfort. Well-organized and tidy closets, wall and ceiling mounted lamps, fewer furnishings and low-platform sleeping areas are aspects of this design trend.
Trend #4: Cement elements are in
This one may surprise, but expert observers and builders alike report the surging popularity in 2018 of cement elements in new homes. A workhorse of the design world, many people are using this practical, low-cost and extremely durable material in creating industrial-chic floors, lofts and counter-tops. A bold choice, cement need not be the predominant element of your space if you're uncertain. It can easily be worked it into your indoor and outdoor spaces for instance with planters or accent furnishings.
If you're intending on creating a habitable space for your cement basement, it is important to remember to install a basement egress window for emergency preparedness purposes.
Trend #5: Achieving an organic feel
As mentioned at the top, an organic feel is undergoing a renaissance. In order to express this feeling, builders and owners are turning to finishes made from wood, stone and even bamboo. Greenery and plenty of natural light serve a similar purpose as well as serving to balance some of these materials that can feel weighty.
This developing orientation towards organic design seeks to bring in the calmness and serenity of natural, outdoor oases to indoor spaces in a cozy and uncluttered way. From river rock finished fireplaces to the liberal use of all sorts of wood, this trend is prompting many people to look towards the natural world for inspiration when designing and decorating their homes.
Homes are intensely personal spaces that should nurture and promote human flourishing in as many ways as possible. It is also a place you will be spending much of your time, so one should choose the design styles and themes that will soothe your senses, calm nerves and nurture you and your family's potential for a long time to come.
