Ready or not, 2018 is around the corner. And it's not coming quietly, either. Designers and brands expect home decor to be bolder than years before, with vivid jewel tones and luxe velvet and brass balanced out with organic accents. As always, stick with what you love, regardless of what's in or out. But if your New Year's resolution is to refresh your home (whether with a new coat of paint or a pretty piece of furniture), here are the top trends to try—along with some you should skip.
OUT: All-White Kitchens
We said it this fall and we'll say it again: All-white interiors are on their way out. Kitchens in particular will continue to brighten up in the new year, swapping stark white for warm wood tones and new neutrals including cream, blue, and gray, Houzz reports.
OUT: White and Stainless Steel Sinks
Sinks will follow suit with darker, more daring designs. We've already seen it with the copper farmhouse sink trend, but also watch out for concrete and stone styles.
OUT: Accent Walls
So long, lone wall. This is one fad Lauren Liess, interior designer and host of HGTV's Best House on the Block, is ready to retire. "Accent walls were big in the '80s and '90s and are an instant way to make a room look like it was decorated then," Liess explains. Instead, for interest, incorporate timeless texture such as millwork and wainscoting (Houzz says both are trending for 2018) or statement ceilings, one of Pinterest's top home predictions and something we saw coming back in the fall.
OUT: Word Art
Sure, signs or throw pillows spelling out sentiments such as "Home," "Family," or full quotes may seem like a simple way to create a fun focal point. But the concept has become overdone in recent years (with the exception of vintage signs, charts, and other objects repurposed into art, of course). In 2018, look for less literal ways to express yourself.
OUT: Random Architectural Elements
We love barn doors just as much as the next country gal, but architectural elements should be cohesive with the style of your home, Liess says. For example, barn doors just don't look right in an otherwise traditional house, nor do formal columns in a suburban space. "All of these things are amazing in the right setting but when applied inappropriately and all over the place, they quickly become dated trends," Liess says.
IN: Jewel Tones
Fall and winter were all about dark, cozy colors, and 2018 is set to make a similarly bold entrance. Pantone just named Ultra Violet its Color of the Year, while Sherwin-Williams selected Oceanside SW 6496 (think emerald green meets sapphire). Both shades are said to be especially invigorating—just the motivation we need as we head into the new year.
We love these vivid velvet (another huge trend continuing from fall) sofas from Barker and Stonehouse, but you could also take baby steps with a jewel-toned velvet throw pillow instead.
Doubtful of so much drama? Consider the colors' calmer cousins, especially in restful rooms like the bedroom. Lilac, for example, is a watered-down version of violet that's so versatile and feminine Erika Woelfel, color expert for Behr Paint, is calling it the new millennial pink.
IN: Heavy Cabinetry
"I'm seeing a lot of really beautiful, heavily cabineted kitchens out there," Liess notes, calling out deVOL's designs, like the one pictured here. "Possibly people's backlash to open shelving but I'm seeing a renewed appreciation for cabinetry."
Again, rather than stark-white kitchen cabinets, expect to see warm grays, blues, and creams, as well as wood grain tones.
IN: Brass
Whether you love it or hate it, brass is back and better than ever in the new year. The aged finish adorns kitchen cabinets and living room furniture and shines as serveware and vintage-inspired light fixtures alike, as in this beautiful bathroom from One Kings Lane.
IN: Wabi-Sabi
Wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection. In home design, this translates to handmade or hand-painted items including rough linens and pottery (like the Farmhouse Pottery pictured). The result? A deeply personal, organic aesthetic.
IN: Statement Storage
"Statement storage will be a growing trend in 2018," says Anthropologie's customer styling director Christina Frederick. "Gone are the days of sacrificing style for function. Versatile pieces like this tamboured buffet are expanding beyond media and dining rooms for creative placement throughout the home. There seems to be a growing desire for high-end organization in our personal space, a desire for things—and life—to feel pulled together."
IN: Shapely Furniture
Couches will take cues from the '70s this season, with quirky curves that liven up your living room. We spotted this shapely silhouette at CB2's spring preview, and architect Elizabeth Roberts endorsed the idea in an interview with My Domaine.
IN: Bold Floral Prints
We can hear Miranda Priestley's dripping sarcasm now: Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking. But when incorporated into furniture in an overt way, as in this Liberty for Anthropologie swivel chair, flowers are fun and funky.
"Floral prints are always 'in' if you ask Anthropologie," says Frederick. "Rather than a traditionally feminine look in 2018 they feel especially fresh and more interesting styled in a casual bohemian way. Juxtaposing florals with organic textures and neutral palettes evokes a new kind of elegance that is appealing."
Of course, if furniture covered in florals feels a bit too risky, you can always ease into the trend with classic bloom-covered bedding.
IN: Black and White
Everyone from Anthropologie to CB2 to Joanna Gaines is loving the classic combination of black and white—perhaps as a way of offsetting some of the season's more striking styles. Snag some simple linens, like these Hearth & Hand with Magnolia kitchen towels from Target.
IN: Surprising Stone
It's not all white Carrara marble anymore. Unexpected iterations of the stone, such as gray and green, pop up all over CB2's new collection. And the trend extends to other types of stone as well. "This spring, high-quality materials including marble, onyx, agate, and alabaster are trending," managing director Ryan Turf tells us. "These beautiful, natural materials add texture and depth to any design. Timeless yet very modern and fresh."
IN: Natural Accents
And the natural look doesn't stop at stone. Liess is loving decorative objects made of wood and other earthy materials. Hand-turned wooden spice bowls by Etsy maker Bolecraft guarantee one-of-a-kind style, as do concrete vessels and leather drawer pulls.
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