Interiors are having a moment. Styles are being challenged and designers are thinking outside the tried and tested box. Mashing styles, colours, textures and adding in touches of the owner’s personality are all designed to add depth and interest to our homes. In this post, Part II, I’ll cover colour, spaces to relax, doors and dual purpose design.
Colour coding
Although nature inspired palettes will continue in popularity there is another trend about to take centre stage. Colour play and combination will be used extensively and for good reason! Colour evokes emotion, it arouses memories and creates incredible interest in a space.
Colours this year will be attention seeking and joyful. Ideally colour palettes link to the natural or built environment that surrounds the home or, at its simplest, a pure reflection of a person's favourite colours.
Blue
We’ll be seeing the whole spectrum of blue from light sky blue to deep inky navy and all in between.
Blues imbue a space with serenity creating a nurturing oasis. During 2021, the search for ‘navy blue’ had the highest increase on the Houzz site (an increase of 735%). So it certainly is an ever popular colour.
Blue combines beautifully with white as well as soft pastels and high energy primary colours.
Pastel blue lounge sits beautifully with the soft feature wall and framed by the blue ceramic lamps. Designed by Tobi Fairley
A strong blue for an accent of colour. Designed by Leanne Ford.
Surrounded by blue and balanced by modern white armchairs and pops of sunny yellow. By Duet Design
Green
An extension of our need to connect with nature, bold and subtle greens will again be favourites in our selection of colour. With an extensive range, we'll be seeing olives and emerald.
Olive
Pair olive tones with taupe, mustard, charcoal add touches of timber and absolutely bring in greenery.
Organic, olive green within this space creates a moody and relaxing vibe. Interior by Jason Arnold.
Emerald
When this jewel green is paired with brushed brass and accessories in white, yellow and black we get an elegant yet fresh scheme.
Light, bright, soothing. This dining room is by Pamela Harvey.
Pastels
Channeling a playful, carefree eighties sensibility, pastels are set to feature in our interiors colour scheme. This year we’ll be incorporating these soft colours either boldly on walls or as an accent colour in art and soft furnishings. Think pinks, yellows, lavendar and orangey-browns.
Dulux: One of 3 colour trends, Wonder
“There’s a sense of reawakening and celebration as we prepare to connect with friends, family and our everyday lives. The wonder palette allows us to introduce colours that bring joy and optimism back into our homes.”
Light and cheery, optimistic and whimsical. Image: Dulux
Enliven your workspace! A sense of warmth is conveyed in this room enhanced by the pops of green, yellow and violet.
From Dulux’s Wonder palette, Sassy.
Relaxation Zones
A special place to read a book, journal or listen to music will be high on the interiors agenda. Taking time out of our busy lives for mindfulness has wondrous benefits for our health, mental stability and inner calm. We will be setting aside a nook, window area or room to create spaces we can retreat to.
Doors
When redesigning the whole house doesn’t quite make the agenda yet we’re yearning for a style update or just a refresh, making changes on a smaller scale can be just as rewarding. Here are some ways we can achieve this.
Barn doors
Barn doors can be used as a room divider or where privacy is needed. They are stylish and when painted in a favourite colour can become a stand out feature.
Image of a Hume Door via The Style Societe.
Pivot doors
Pivot doors have a strong architectural impact on the facade of the home and make a big statement.
Entrance door by Avanti Glass and Aluminium.
Timber pivot door by Doors Apart
Pivot doors are also a great option for internal doors functioning as a room divider.
Steel framed pivot doors can be used for a media room or study. Door by Bellevue Architectural.
Dual Purpose Design
A concept that really took off as a result of the pandemic is giving a space ‘dual purpose’. We have studied and worked from home in droves these last couple of years and have tweaked our living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and even cupboards to bring the classroom and office to our homes. This year we will continue to convert good available space into desirable functional spaces.
Garage and attic conversions
The luxury of an underused garage which can be converted to any number of options really opens up many possibilities. Think home office, studio, home gym, entertaining space, the list goes on!
A stylish lounge room in a former garage by Anne Weil Interiors.
This bright large garage space has been perfectly converted into a home studio featuring IKEA products.
Attic turned into a comfortable space for watching tv or just relaxing
A cosy reading nook is both welcoming and practical.
Do you have any more ideas or have you recently converted an unused space? Share them in the comments below. This will help others who are in the process.
Until next time,
Grace
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