Just bought a new home and looking to decorate? Or maybe you’re placing your home on the market and thinking of decking it out to bring in a better price? Here, Forbes offers some trends to pay attention to as predicted by design experts, some that will continue to be popular well into the new year, and others that have officially seen their day.
1. Instinctual decorating
Expect a shift away from the omnipresent cool gray walls and dark stained hardwood flooring of the past few years toward a warmer color palette and more vibrant accent colors. The former palette will still have a place in homes of a certain style, but more and more folks are embracing the latter to express a more out-of-the-box, colorful side. Toward that end, be prepared to see more individuality, warmth, and personality expressed in interiors in 2019.
2. Whimsical style
It looks like fun, whimsical art and decor isn’t going away anytime soon. Robyn Blair Davidson—called “The Most In-Demand Instagram Artist of 2018,” will be keeping that title for 2019, with her line of candy art by robynblair designed to sweeten up any space. “People want to be surrounded by things that make them happy,” explained Davidson. She thinks people vibe with the style of her artwork because “these elements make people smile every time they see them. The bright fonts, colors, and textures are art within themselves.”
3. Green everything
Green will be everywhere in 2019…particularly green upholstery, from grass green to more mixed teals. Decorating with lots of live greenery throughout the home also will continue to be popular. Note: Use containers in different heights and sizes, complete with matte finishes or raw finishes like concrete. Small trees and plants give shape and texture and add life to a room. Crowd a front window with them or use them in large groups rather than in single plants dotted around.
4. Ornate walls
Textured walls are in for 2019. They add more contrast, and having two different materials is a lot more appealing, even if you stay in the same tones.
Another way to make walls look more interesting is to add paint, which also is a budget-friendly option. You’ll get a wow effect at a fraction of the cost of a statement piece, and it fills the entire room, so the rest can be more neutral. Murals as a focus piece in a minimalist room is another popular trend.
5. Modern vintage lighting
Say goodbye to Edison Bulbs and replace them with vintage modern lighting that takes its stylistic cues from France or Italian modern design. They are refined, well proportioned, modern, and have sculptural lines and shapes. Think Stillnovo, Bauhaus or Sarfatti for wall sconces and lamps. Halo LED chandeliers are predicted to be big next year; they offer a sense of a sculptural form that produces a very functional light source at the same time.
6. Street art-inspired style
Street art will be coming home, especially blending graffiti with something more feminine and traditional. This makes it all the more exciting and is easy to incorporate into many different design styles.
7. Evolved cabinetry
Dark and cherry wood cabinets are officially over, and 2019 will be the year that kitchens evolve. Painted cabinetry will be the hot contemporary look because it is very timeless and there is an amazing array of colors to choose from, especially with brands like Farrow and Ball. In terms of hardware, think pewter and gunmetal, which gives fixtures some texture and depth. Not all cabinetry will need handles and pulls, however. We’ll see upper kitchen cabinets replaced with metal, wood or glass shelving inspired by hotel and retail spaces.
8. Matte black in kitchens and baths
Matte black fixtures will continue to trend, with plumbing companies continually expanding their lines.
9. Colorful kitchen appliances
Colors will be big and bold in 2019, especially in the kitchen where appliances are a great way to add a pop. Bold, splashy colors tend to overwhelm, but when combined with a neutral palette in the same temperature range, they create a unique style that wows.
10. Earth tones
When it comes to colors, the gray monochrome trend is on the way out and instead you’ll see all versions of sand and earthier colors such as ochre, burnt gold and terra-cotta.
11. Color saturation
The shift away from gray tones will mean more color saturation. People are starting to turn to colors to pull different feelings and emotions, with people wanting to be energized and kind of wrapped in color. Another great example of this look is using one color monochromatically. Deep, rich monochromatic rooms can be the opposite of dark, with their luminescent hues decidedly sexy.
12. Agate Stone
2019 will be the year of agate stone tile. The natural symmetry of this pattern really draws in the eye and works as an appealingly chic contrast to bold colors and simplicity in a more modern space.
13. Resort amenities in your own backyard
More and more people are placing luxury hotel amenities in their backyards, wanting their properties to resemble a resort they have visited. People want all of the amenities and the look of a luxury hotel, and even go a bit further with requests such outdoor home theaters, poolside TVs and pizza ovens from Italy. Another popular feature is synthetic sod, because it always looks perfect, can be used in shady areas, and doesn’t require water and chemicals to keep it healthy.
14. Hyperrealism in art
A lot of art is pivoting toward a hyper-realism, a style of painting and drawing that resembles a high-resolution photograph. Designers also are seeing an exploration beyond the boundaries of the canvas. Some new works, for example, combine multiple canvases in irregular shapes to make one unique piece.
15. Biophilia
This is a design driver that engages the end user by connecting them to primal instincts about the relationship between humans and nature. When done properly, people are calmed by the sight of greenery in the form of live plants and living walls, the sight and sound of water, access to views of natural settings, and tactile organic materials such as wood and stone.
16. Velvet
Velvet and other rich textiles will be more prominent than they’ve been in past years. This fabric creates a sense of warmth and depth, especially during the colder seasons. More color also will be coming back into homes—bolder, richer and dramatic.
17. Pantone’s Color of the Year
Living Coral was announced as the Color of the Year for 2019. This fun, bright hue can be used in many ways. Beyond an accent wall, it is easy to infuse Living Coral into a space with accessories such as lampshades, wall art, pillows and throws. You can even take this a step further by integrating a colorful area rug to give the room dimension.