Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
In March, I wrote an article for The Bath Magazine covering the 2018 interior design trends. Today I’m sharing a snippet of that article, showcasing the trends I think will be huge for spring/summer 2018.
Bold Colours
2018 is the year for experimenting with colour. Bold, bright hues are dominating colour trends this year, with hues like ultra violet (Pantone’s colour of the year), turquoise, and hot pink looking especially popular.
If you want to dips your toes into this trend, know that you don’t have to completely redecorate to accommodate it. Look at your existing design scheme and choose one or two bright colours that would complement it well. Then pick affordable accessories in these colours: cushions, curtains, vases, bed linen, lampshades, candle holders, rugs and throws – the options are vast.
Spa Bathrooms
While many of us dream of Jacuzzi baths, built-in saunas and huge waterfall showers, these things can be pretty pricey. The good news is, they’re also not entirely necessary, even if you’re trying to turn your bathroom into a spa-like retreat. You can create a luxurious space without resorting to a full renovation.
It’s all about the details. Details like a gorgeous, light-reflecting chandelier hanging above the bathtub, full-length voile curtains instead of blinds, gold or brass taps instead of chrome and large plants in beautiful pots. It’s also important to keep your bathroom stocked up with piles of fluffy white towels and toiletries in pretty packaging, because no spa would be without either.
Tropical Influence
This zesty, retro-inspired trend has grown up in the past few months. In 2016-17 it was all about neon colours and pineapple prints. In 2018, we’ll see a more sophisticated (but no less fun) take on this trend.
Think large-scale palm leaf print fabrics, combined with green velvet sofas, dark wood furniture and brass accents (conveniently combining multiple 2018 trends in one). Tropical prints have become more illustrative and realistic, and the colour palette simplified to shades of green.
Dark Wood
If there’s one thing that connects most of the 2018 interior design trends, it’s a move away from cool colours and towards warmth and depth. The bleached timber furniture made so popular by the Scandinavian trend is slowly being replaced by darker wood. And not just in furniture, but in the kitchen and in architectural details too.
If you find yourself leaning towards this new moodier look, there is an affordable way to update your current furniture: wood stain. You can use wood stain to darken existing light furniture, as long as the furniture is made from real wood and not veneer. You can even stain timber flooring, if you’re feeling up to the challenge.
