Top Design Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2019 - IMBOLDN
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While the phrase “new year, new you” makes the rounds every January, we think it’s a bit extreme. (After all, we kind of like you the way you are.) But the turn of the year is a great time to consider shaking things up at least a little bit, including by freshening up the castle of which you are king. Wondering where to start when it comes to giving your home a facelift? These five design trends will be on point in 2019.

1. Artisanal Everything

Artisanal isn’t just about beer and sausages. It’s also having a major moment in the interior design world.

“This will be the year of the craftsperson,” John Linden of Los Angeles’s MirrorCoop told Realtor.com. “Once upon a time, only bespoke cabinets and other woodwork were widely available. Now you can find anything from sinks to shower-door hardware to wall decor from really cool vendors.”

A home in Venice Beach, CA designed by Studio Hus

The takeaway? This is not the time to play it safe. Rather, making an unforgettable impression is all in the distinctive details. However, this doesn’t mean you’ve got to spend your Sundays scouring fine craft boutiques and artisan boutiques. Mainstream companies like West Elm make it easy through partnerships with artisan groups around the world to help give your home that one-of-a-kind look.

2. Neutrals and Naturals

Our weekday work may be mired in wires, but isn’t this all the more reason to move toward more serene neutrals and naturals in your home?  “I think that simple, clean lines using organic materials is a trend that will stay with us for some time. Wood, stone, iron, matte black and tiles in colors found in nature create a neutral, contemporary look. Accented with industrial-look kitchen furniture and open shelving, this style is sophisticated and family-friendly, as the finishes generally have great durability,” interior designer Toni Sabatino told The Seattle Times.

A luxury loft in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood. Photo by Marco Ricca.

In addition to applying to materials and finishes, this applies to the shape of furniture itself.  Hard, geometric lines are making way for softer, gentler curves.

“For 2019, there is greater interest in biophilia–emphasizing the relationship between humankind and nature, and the connections between the two. Natural, organic materials–such as wood floors, stone, and daylight and plant life–remind us of the exterior and brings the outside and nature, in. We are machine- and technology-driven society, but nostalgic about past processes and handiwork, so opportunities for custom Millwork and crafted materials are very important,” Angie Lee of FXCollaborative told Elle Decor.

3. Going Green

Speaking of all things natural, one of the year’s trendiest colors is the embodiment of nature. Color expert Annie Sloan told Apartment Therapy, “The design trend I’m most excited to see develop in 2019 is the enthusiasm for green — as a color and as an ethos. Green is a calming, sophisticated and thought-provoking color. It imbues rooms with a sense of refinement and works well in botanical interiors. As we seek to protect and nurture our environment, to avoid plastics in our daily life and in our homes, the use of green on furniture and walls is a fabulous backdrop to the natural materials we’re embracing.”

Not quite seeing green? This verdant hue is just one of many vibrant shades predicted to be power players in the year ahead. Bold reds and bright yellows and deep teals will also be popular, and will add visual interest living space. And then there’s perhaps the hottest hue of all: “Living Coral,” picked by Pantone as the color of the year for its “animating and life-affirming” edge.


No mention of going green is complete without mention of sustainability, an ongoing trend which will continue to grow in momentum.

Of course, no mention of going green is complete without mention of sustainability, an ongoing trend which will continue to grow in momentum. Becky Shea of NYC-based Becky Shea Design told Elle Decor, “Being strategic and purposeful about purchasing behavior is a key ingredient to a sustainable ethos. From the initial question of, ‘Who you are purchasing from and what values to they stand for?’ to ‘What type of materials are used to build each item?’ To complement and highlight special pieces, we believe in designing an impeccable foundation through the use of timeless materials, ultimately resulting in bones that evoke emotion whenever you’re in your space.”

4. Return of the Black (Kitchen)

White kitchens have been all the rage, but interior designers say it’s time to go in a different direction — and then some. New York City interior designer Marina Cheban heralds the popularity of black kitchens for their ability to impart a “sleek, rich feel and modern ambiance.” Meanwhile, the kitchen experts at Tom Howley reported a “sharp increase in orders of black kitchens” to House Beautiful.

Black and green: IKEA’s KUNGSBACKA line is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles and reclaimed industrial wood

Not on board with black? House Beautiful identifies several other kitchen design trends for 2019, including bespoke pantries, larders, and storage; glass cabinets; kitchen islands; benches and banquette seating; multifunctional trough sinks; single-slab splashbacks; feature taps; broken-plan living; sustainability; concealed technology; “smart” features; sleek minimalism; rustic timber; marble, and “glamorously grand.”

5. Buzz-worthy Beds

Even lifelong minimalists can venture outside of their comfort zone every once in a while, and we can think of no better place to do so than in the bedroom. Dramatic beds, such as four-poster and canopy styles, are taking on starring roles.

“In uncertain times, people tend to want spaces that bring a sense of comfort and safety. A four-poster bed provides that type of feeling. It’s the closest thing you can get to a huge from a piece of furniture,” designer Amy Sklar told Elle Decor.

Make your bed the focal point.

One last thing to keep in mind? The expression, “Trends come and go, but style is forever,” holds true when it comes to interior design. Before jumping on the bandwagon, make sure a home purchase or decorating decision speaks to your personal sensibilities. Remember: furry toilet seat covers, beaded curtains, and indoor wicker furniture were all in vogue at one time or another.  To avoid ending up as a cautionary tale, be sure to honor your own aesthetic throughout the home decorating process.

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