Interior-design trends for 2018

Back in November I was one of a group of bloggers invited to London’s Miele Experience Centre by the lovely people at Houzz for a roundtable discussion on interior-design trends for 2018. It was a fascinating evening: over a delicious meal cooked by Anne Hansen of The Modern Pantry, we chatted about what’s in, what’s out, and what’s set to stay around for a little while longer.

I don’t for a moment think anyone should slavishly follow trends, and personally I prefer a timeless look to fleeting fads. But it’s always worth keeping an eye on new developments, as you never know when they might provide unexpected inspiration or encourage you to think outside your comfort zone. So, here’s a round-up of the colours, materials and styles that have caught my eye for 2018…

Greenery

Greenery has been on the rise for a while now, with more and more people filling their homes with plants in a bid to counteract increasingly stressful urban lives. But I think this is the year it will really come of age, and I’m not just talking about foliage. I see our need to reconnect with nature spilling over into everything from fabric patterns to paint colours, as well as smaller home accessories. Green upholstery is also set to become a key trend, particularly velvet in eye-catching shades of forest green, pine and emerald. Even the normally muted Scandinavian brands have been steadily adding these hues to their collections, and I was struck by the beautiful green sofa at the new VIPP Loft in Copenhagen. As for houseplants, they’re getting bigger and bolder, with oversized varieties such as monstera deliciosa and yucca surging in popularity.

Images by Jotun, VIPP and Ferm Living

Handmade ceramics

The search for an antidote to our hectic, technology-reliant lifestyles is also manifesting itself through a return to natural materials, traditional craftsmanship and organic shapes. This seems to be particularly true when it comes to ceramics, where there’s a growing trend for handmade clay pieces with imperfect forms. Examples include the vase and tableware ranges from new Danish brand 101 Copenhagen, and the expressive candleholders designed by Malwina Kleparska for Swedish concept store ODEM Atelier.

Images by 101 Copenhagen and ODEM Atelier

Earthy pinks and reds

Pink is going to remain incredibly popular this year, but we’re moving away from the ‘millennial pink’ of 2017 towards earthier shades such as peach, salmon, coral and terracotta, often combined with rust-red and ochre. They featured strongly in the most recent collections from Ferm Living and paint manufacturer Jotun, and even H&M Home is getting in on the act with a new range of accessories in soft blush pink and deep ruby red.

I’m a big fan of these shades, and I think they’re one of 2018’s most workable trends. They’re incredibly easy to incorporate into existing schemes, and they look wonderful with ever-popular neutrals such as grey and beige; they’re also a great option for pairing with the green tones mentioned above.

Images by Ferm Living, H&M Home and Jotun

Silver metals

Silver-coloured metals have been somewhat eclipsed by brass, gold and copper over the last few years, but they’re set to make a major comeback. Recent homeware collections have brought a raft of sculptural vases, candlesticks and lamps in chrome, aluminium, stainless steel and nickel, and there’s increasing demand for classic designs such as Stelton’s ‘Cylinda-line’ barware and the nickel version of By Lassen’s ‘Kubus’ candleholder. I expect we’ll see many more pieces launching over the course of 2018, together with a return to these materials for furniture legs and interior fittings.

It’s a trend that makes me very happy as I’ve always preferred colder metals in my own home. But don’t worry if you love warmer tones, as brass and gold are timeless materials that aren’t going away any time soon. I don’t think the same can be said for copper, though – after saturating the market for a while, it’s probably now had its day.

Images by Stelton and Kristina Dam

Matte-black fittings and accessories

Matte black is also set to be huge in 2018. It’s already a popular choice among designers for taps and shower fittings, and it’s now starting to go mainstream; I’m also seeing more and more lighting designs with matte-black elements, as well as black tableware and other home accessories. Black has an air of functional minimalism and it’s a great option if you want a sleek, contemporary look. One of my favourite pairings is black bathroom hardware with white or grey marble – a stunning combination that’s both understated and luxurious.

Images by Classens & Deschamps, Hübsch and Menu

Terrazzo

Another emerging trend that’s filtering through into the mainstream is terrazzo, and not just for flooring. Over the past few months it’s started to appear on everything from table tops to kitchen splashbacks; I’ve even spotted trompe l’oeil terrazzo wallpaper, fabrics inspired by terrazzo patterns and accessories with terrazzo-like finishes.

Invented by Venetian workers seeking a low-cost way to surface their terraces, terrazzo was traditionally made by setting broken bits of marble into clay. These days it’s normally formed from concrete or resin mixed with chips of granite, quartz or glass, and it comes in a myriad of colours. It’s not a finish I thought I’d be particularly drawn to, but the more I see it the more I like it – and I was very taken with the sparkling terrazzo floor at Swedish hotel Wanås, which I visited a few months ago.

Images by Hübsch and Ferm Living

Art Deco influences

Echoes of the 1920s and 30s have never really vanished from the interiors scene (just look at Michael Anastassiades’ already-iconic ‘IC’ lighting series for Flos), but they’ve been particularly noticeable at recent design fairs. For 2018, expect to see many brands combining subtle Art Deco touches – plush fabrics, geometric shapes, opaque glass – with more contemporary elements, creating liveable pieces that fit seamlessly into modern homes. The trend for green velvet upholstery is one example; others include Ferm Living’s velour poufs and ‘Unfold’ room dividers, and Hübsch’s globe-shaped table lamps.

Images by Flos, Hübsch and Ferm Living

Parquet floors

Once common in Victorian and Edwardian houses, parquet flooring enjoyed a brief revival in the 1970s before its popularity waned. It’s now on its way back in, and not just for period homes. Its geometric pattern is eye-catching and artistic, and it adds a note of elegance to any space; it’s also incredibly versatile, sitting well with both traditional and contemporary schemes. What’s more, modern parquet is available in an array of finishes, from rich honey hues to near-black lacquers. My personal favourite is the whitened-oak ‘Goodrich’ parquet from Woodpecker Flooring, whose ashen shades work beautifully with pale Scandinavian-inspired décor.

Images by Abi Dare and Woodpecker Flooring

What do you think about these trends? Are there any which you particularly like or dislike? And would you incorporate any of them into your own décor?