Becky Harris, Houzz Contributor
If you have a decorating problem you just can’t crack, consider opening yourself up to the latest design trends. There’s inspiration to be found as you embrace a trend you’re drawn to and make it your own. Here we look at five trends that are picking up steam around Houzz and show how they can solve common home design dilemmas.
1. Black Wall
Problem: Your TV is an eyesore, and hiding it behind cabinetry isn’t an option.
Solution: Often designers complain that a TV looks like a black hole in a room. This is not a problem when the wall behind it is black.
After a long reign of all-white walls, we’re seeing more black walls and even all-black rooms. A stylish and practical way to see if you like going this dark is to start with an accent wall behind your TV. For ideas on how to decorate the rest of the room, check out What Goes With Black Walls.
Black walls amp up the glamour in a room, especially when you use high-gloss or lacquer paint, as in this entryway. You’ll want to do this only on a very smooth wall, as the reflection provided by the paint is unforgiving of dings and bumps. Here, the high contrast of white plaster enhances the drama.
2. Free-standing Kitchen Table
Problem: You don’t like kitchen islands but want a place to eat in the kitchen.
Solution: Yes, this is an oldie but a goodie. While kitchen islands and built-in booths have beat out this traditional option for the past few decades, many homeowners are opting for a good old-fashioned free-standing kitchen table lately. It is purely a matter of personal preference regarding how and where you like to gather for meals, and how you like to work in the kitchen.
Although the concept of a kitchen table is traditional, the option isn’t limited to traditional rooms. Tables are popping up in kitchens of every style, from rustic to contemporary. A traditional wooden table adds an element of relaxed comfort to this sleek contemporary kitchen.
3. Slatted Wood Wall
Problem: You want to add dimension to a wall, but the reclaimed-wood look is too rustic for you.
Solution: We’ve seen plenty of reclaimed-wood accent walls, and they add wonderful texture and depth to a space. But if you’re looking for something cleaner and more contemporary, a slatted wall could be for you. While its lines are crisp, the wood adds warmth and dimension to this modern nursery.
Slats also can switch up the look of an exterior. The cedar slats are an unexpected touch on this contemporary take on farm architecture.
4. Square Tiles
Problem: You’re totally over subway tile, but you want to do something simple, white and classic.
Solution: Did you think square tiles, seen here in a running bond pattern, would ever be back? Once ubiquitous and dated, these tiles are now a hot alternative to subway tile. White tiles with a handmade quality paired with a darker grout give the look an update, as seen in this lovely bathroom in Sweden.
Square tiles can also be arranged in a grid. The contrast in color, pattern and scale of the square tiles between the wood walls and the hexagonal floor tiles makes this room appealing. These tiles are 3 by 3 inches; the look from decades past was usually composed of 4-by-4-inch tiles.
5. Aluminum Windows and Doors
Problem: You need a shower surround, but you’re not into the typical designs available.
Solution: This industrial modern twist on a bathroom shower enclosure adds architectural interest. More than 67,000 Houzz users have saved this photo, so clearly there is a lot of admiration for this look. In this room, the divider is outfitted with tempered glass for safety.
You also can use divided-light windows and doors between rooms. This oversize Crittall divider allows an eat-in kitchen and a sitting room to share the light and the views. But it also creates a sense of division and offers a quiet space for conversations.
