Décor designs and styles coming your way this year

In an effort to keep up with the latest home décor styles, my wonderful assistant Jean and I scoured the European fairs this past fall so we could bring you all the latest buzz.

No, not really. But, wouldn’t that be fun?

Instead, we’ve scoured the worldwide web and done a little research on what the latest and greatest things are in interiors. And we’ve come up with some of the larger themes to be hitting the magazines and wholesalers this year.

Following are a few of the design highlights that you can expect to see in 2019.

Natural woods add finish

I’ve always loved the look of natural woods, whether raw and heavy or light and airy, and they seem to be making an impression again. In the kitchen, their light surfaces give a clean, relaxed feel as opposed to more sterile steel or white. In the rest of the home, they provide a sense of warmth, both in terms of colour and feel. The Scandinavian influence is noticeable, so time to show off that teak furniture again.

Colour me pretty – and naturally

Earthy colors, especially reds, yellows and tans have been hot for a while, but things get a little more autumnal with dusky pinks and burnt terra-cottas getting increased attention. And sage green also sees some time in the spotlight, particularly in the powder room, as do indoor plants and herbal motifs on pillows, walls, tiles and more. Fake or real, you’ll want to get more greenery going.

Keeping it real

That sense of authenticity behind real wood and greenery also shows up in other pieces of décor. Hand-woven textiles, hand-made ceramics, hand-blown bottles all emphasize a crafty feel.

And many of those finishing pieces will have an international touch. East Asian, South American and West African designs will offer inspiration in 2019.

Comfort mixed with some glamour

Large, padded couches are making a comeback on some fronts, because who doesn’t like to be comfortable? But to dress things up a bit, velvet is back on the scene. While you don’t want to go overboard, one or two pieces offer a vivid contrast to some of the other more natural elements.

Look up, way up

Apparently textured or tiled ceilings are a thing. Not exactly convenient to get at, but, hey, what the heck? And on the way there, you might as well put up a nice wall hanging featuring geometric colour blocking.

One last thought . . .

In my opinion, the most important thing to remember when looking at design trends is function. If you have a white cat, forget about the royal blue velvet couch. Have toddlers? Don’t invest in marble floors. Unstable on your feet? Less furniture and fewer area rugs might be a good idea.

Sure, it’s fun to buy new things, but make sure you really like it or need it – a couple years from now it may slip out of style, but functionality is always in.

For more information on other house-related topics and living in the Comox Valley, please get in touch. And don’t forget to visit my Facebook page to see all the latest listings.