Yesterday, Things That Inspire, wrote a fabulous post entitled "Trendy Elements that Scream 2000's." In it, she lists design elements that might be likely to date our interiors to the past decade. Things such as oil rubbed bronze, open floor plans, and granite counter tops were listed as possible "of the moment trends."
The truth is, almost everything that we see in magazines today will look dated to our eyes in the next decade. Just open a Southern Accents from 1999 and you may be surprised by how "tired" many of the interiors look to your eyes. Unfortunately, our American culture gets bored easily. The design industry capitalizes on this, and new trends are formed, causing individuals to want "the next great thing."
The question remains, what will be the trends of the 2010's? I am no market expert, but I have a few guesses. We will have to wait and see if any of them come true!
Scale of Homes
Given the current economic climate, I predict that homes that are built in the next decade will be smaller and more intimate. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I hope that homes will be designed in a manner that allows families to interact in meaningful ways.
Eco-Friendly
The government is mandating that more and more building materials and appliances be environmentally friendly. In many states you can no longer purchase oil based paint because it is harmful for the environment. LED lighting is is improving and more and more builders are using these energy efficient lights.
I predict that in the next decade we will see a large increase in sustainable building and design elements. I also predict that as sustainable materials become more mainstream they will become more aesthetically pleasing and more able to compete with their non-eco-friendly counterparts as well.
Eclectic Decor
This trend has already taken off but I predict that it will continue well into the next decade. No longer does everything need to be "matchy- matchy" or formulaic. Rather interiors are becoming more eclectic: inspired by travel and history. Interiors that reflect one's individual style and tastes rather than following some uniform formula, are the most stylish of all.
Return of Brass
I don't know when, but I predict that brass will re-emerge the finish of choice sometime in the next decade. Given the cyclical nature of design, brass is due for a comeback. It may not ever reach the status it did in the 1980's but I am betting it will regain popularity again.
The use of Ceiling Lights Instead of Canned Lighting
I think that canned lighting has seen it's heyday instead of "swiss cheese" ceilings and we will see a return to hanging lanterns and chandeliers to add overhead light to a room.
Readers, I would love to hear from you. What do you think will be the trends that emerge in building and interior design over the next decade?
{images: 1 - via david netto, 2- via small place style; 3- via lee industries; 4- via lonny magazine; 5- via elle decor 6- via cote de texas}
21 comments:
I think your predictions are dead on. After visiting a local parade of homes in my area, your prediction of smaller, more intimate homes seems to be the case. The local home builders association sponsors this event this year and I was surprised how much smaller the homes were in the past couple of years.
As far as brass goes, I hope it's not as big as the '80's brass invasion!
I totally agree with the eclectic decor- following the beat of your own drum!
Wow - love this post! This is inspiring me to do a follow up, with a link to this post...and a discussion of two additional points. One you bring up in this post, and one that was brought up in the comments of my post.
Brass - I am hearing this prediction more and more! Personally, I do not notice door hardware very much. I have a house full of 80s brass doorknobs, and I never pay any attention to them. But, I have noticed that one of Circa Lighting's standard finishes is (and has been for years) that weathered looking brass - not the shiny. It is a good neutral, but I must admit to a love for satin nickel - it is such a good neutral, goes with warm and cool.
This is a great post and I love talking about topics like this! I think your thoughts are right on. I would also love to see brass come back in a big way, but with designs that are less "country" than the brass of the 80's (especially when it comes to chandeliers and lamps). I also think that the last decade has seen a huge surge in dark furniture- like the espresso finishes that are so common at Target, World Market, even Pottery Barn...I think it will be looking dated pretty soon.
Great post and I have to say I love looking forward. I have been noticing also the trend toward brass again. Good eye you have.
I sincerity hope that in these lean times, folks who do build will get better design. The economy has weeded out architects, designers, and builders. Some say these lean times often produce great architecture.
I think demographics is a big factor too. Nests are emptying. We boomers don't require as much space and need to be closer to family, friends, groceries, and the doctor.
Very interesting post and it's causing me to re-think what I believe I need in terms of size and scale... and the desire to find "classic" and traditional... I'd prefer not to spend on getting "of the moment" everything!
Wonderful post! This is my first visit to your site and I am hooked! I, too, believe you are spot on in your forecasts in terms of environmentally conscious materials and building approaches. The eclectic approach to decor is one I welcome with open arms and always have. Personally, whether in my own personal life or decorating for others, I try to avoid what is "in" as much as I can while incorporating current themes. I believe there is a reason that vintage and antique elements remain timeless. They can certainly be integrated into or simply inspire "modern times" without sacrificing the visual, practical or financial aspects of design.
great post. I think all things you say ring true. so happy I came across your blog.
I would love to see "Rosie" from the Jetsons make a come-back to be by my side, in any trend. You are spot on with ever trend, and I loved that post.
clever minds....
pve
Thanks for all of your wonderful and insightful comments. It has been a busy day with Halloween parties and parent teacher conferences, but I can't wait to read all of your thoughts in full tonight.
I like to buy 10 year old magazines or older design books -- Mary Gilliat has some old but lovely books out -- and find rooms that I still love and that don't look dated to me. One look I really like had a kilim rug thrown floor-length over a narrow table in hallway with flowers on top. It looked fabulous then and still looks great now. Same with some baths and kitchens. I want an unfitted kitchen -- they never seem to date. Jean
We're already seeing lighter 'limed' woods in Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, and I think we'll see more and more of these. It's sort of a pickled look, but that word conjures images of early 1980s pinky-pickled pseudo-southwest style stuff to me...I believe 'limed' is the word for this new generation of wood finishes.
I am happy that I learned about your blog (via Things That Inspire.) I think that you are accurate in your predictions. If the McMansion trend died I wouldn't be sad. During the last 12 years existing houses on 1/4 acre lots in my area have been demolished and replaced by ecologically unfriendly McMansions that dwarf surrounding homes and destroy mature trees and landscapes of neighboring properties both by construction and permanently blocking the sun.
Both Colette's Cottage comment re following the beat of your own drum and your prediction about eclectic also resonate with me.
Like Things That Inspire, I also love satin nickle. I've replaced brass interior door hardware with satin nickle in several rooms.
Well, sis, open floor plan, granite and oil rubbed bronze... we are so 2000's!
Annie - and that's not all bad, just think of yourself as "au currant"
You are SO right! I'm with you on all of these!!. Although I don't think open floor plans will go away anytime soon- families are different than they used to be.
I totally think brass is coming back and I also think the resources for antiques/finds online are going to expand. Like 1stdibs, etc.
GREAT post!
xoRH
Mama always said "Things should wear out not ugly out, and it is your job to not live with ugly."
To that end I choose furniture that is not trendy, just styles and fabrics I really like. Accessories are where I like to incorporate trends. Things like lamps, dishes, and coffee table items are easy to change out and usually not too costly.
Great post! I think eclecticism will be prevalent in the next decade, and quality furniture will be 'recycled'- I'm hoping to see people use what they have and freshen it with paint/fabric changes....the upholstered headboards everywhere right now may be redone in a few years in a new hot fabric. I think we'll continue to see classic pieces reinvented - like a traditional clawfoot table now in a new bold highgloss blue finish. I am really wondering where all of the pleather chairs and imported espresso furniture will go - somehow, I can't imagine a landfill big enough!
I'm wondering how long the hollywood regency look (mirrored stuff, blinged out chandys and lots of crystal) is going to stick around. I LOVE me some Candice Olson, but I'm hesitant to put the shiny accessories and glass tiles everywhere unless they're easy to switch out.
I would love to see the rich, saturated colors come back. Even though there is a lot of color being used today, it is still pretty typical to see houses with all white and shades of beige or other neutrals (browns, greys) used as wallcolor. I love older homes that have dark navy blue bedrooms, libraries with deep emerald green- I would love to start doing this at my house. I am also not a fan of open floorplans. I understand why they're nice to have- but I love that my downstairs is separated by doors- actual opening and shutting doors to get in and out of the dining room and library and kitchen, etc. It just feels cozier to me and is actually easier to keep my kids in an area that I can watch them :)
Great post!
...and I was just about to send those brass candlesticks ( a wedding gift from 1979) to Goodwill. Should I keep them, lol!!
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