With each January calendar change, I always celebrate with a post on the year’s design trends. This time though, I wanted to do something a little bit different. I wanted to take a look back at my top 2018 decor trends and see where they stood now…and also, where I see them going in 2019. Trust me when I tell you, I have sifted through my fair share of blogs, magazines and inspiration to give a fair assessment on the topic, but certain shifts you can never predict. Even still, I love this period in the year, where everyone gets inspired and starts hunting for the next big thing. Let’s start by taking a trip down memory lane with some of the top decor trends…
Going Green
2018 prediction: that with a huge surge of “sage green” Pinterest searches, this colour would become the new neutral!
The verdict: we saw a lot of people using different shades and tones of green, proving that the colour was surely a favourite. Designers and DIY’ers alike were taking the hue into more than just painted walls – we noticed kitchens and bathrooms were getting a dose of green too.
The trend’s future: green isn’t going anywhere but expect to see more of the richly saturated shades, rather than the muted soft sages. Think Hunter green or something similar to the Lady Laurier’s kitchen cabinetry below!
Statement Artwork
2018 prediction: less gallery walls and more large, single pieces
The verdict: with artwork being more accessible than ever before, I think people did start to bring more statement pieces into their decor. However, the gallery wall seems to still be super trendy and rightfully so – they are fun and really allow a homeowner to add personality to their space
The trend’s future: art will always be an important part of design and a major focal point in a space. A prediction I foresee, more creativity with vintage pieces and repurposing found items. Bold and colourful! Also, DIY’ed pieces like Samantha Gluck’s beautiful tapestry she made below…stunning!
Statement Floors
Photo – my half bath, ORC reveal
2018 prediction: herringbone patterns, and unique tile choices would dominate
The verdict: I love love love having a bit of fun on the floor and that sentiment was echoed throughout Pinterest and Instagram, as people took a bit more risk when it came to their tile and hardwood choices
The trend’s future: the biggest trend on the horizon seems to be terrazzo but this one fills me with a bit of caution and I doubt that the average home owner will be wanting to install this product throughout their whole home. Sure it’s whimsical and fun, but perhaps in smaller applications like lighting or textiles? Though when I saw what Sarah Sherman Samuel did with Mandy Moore’s bathroom, I admit it took my breath away…
The 5th Wall – aka the ceiling
2018 prediction: interesting architecture, bold colours, and patterned wallpaper…all on the ceiling
The verdict & the future: the trend gained some speed but I think this year we will see even more attention given to the 5th wall and less to feature walls. Let’s take those eyes up!
Mixing Metals:
2018 prediction: seeing more mixed metals in a space, with an emphasis on matte finishes
The verdict: yes, yes, yes! This was huge in 2018, with even more people “getting” the reasons behind having more than one metal in a room.
The trend’s future: this isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Expect to see more emphasis on metal finishes and even more of a push for matte black
Warm Neutrals
2018 prediction: more moodier colour palettes and a departure from all the cool tones we saw a few years ago
The verdict: maybe it’s just the people I follow on IG, but I definitely saw a lot more warmth this past year…warmer wood tones, more reds/oranges/creams etc. And I loved it! I personally love that the cool grey trend is essentially disappearing
The trend’s future: colour in general is making a major comeback, with people tiring of the all the white and beige. It’s hard for me to ditch the lighter palettes, but I do see warmer, moodier and just more colour in general being a big trend in 2019
Other design predictions for 2019:
Expect to see more natural, organic shapes…curved edges in furniture…lots of emphasis on texture…concrete accents…and a bit of maximalism returning!! I’ll have more specific design trends on the horizon, so check back! And don’t hesitate to weigh in on your own predictions!