8 Style Trends You Should Follow Now

Cottagecore is the new take on farmhouse design. Rather than bold black and white rooms with dark wood accents, cottagecore is a softer approach. This style embraces ruffles and gauzy materials with washed and natural woods. Colors include white, cream, soft blues, pinks, naturals and light gray. Home accents incorporate florals and butterflies into artwork, throw pillows and tabletop decorations.

As people have spent more and more time at home, many have been decluttering and simplifying their spaces. And minimalism has had a large resurgence. If you prefer clean lines, immaculate surfaces, light colors and Scandinavian furniture, then the minimalism look will be perfect for your space. 

With minimalist spaces, the walls are typically light and bright. Furniture is often in shades of white, cream, light beige or gray, with light oak accents and floors.

If you’re looking for a change to your home this year, consider paint or wallpaper. It’s one of the easiest, most affordable and transformative ways to alter a space. Here are some of the emerging trends we’re seeing with colors and patterns.

Paint

Monochromatic rooms are having a moment. Painting a room in a soft taupe, warm white or cream and then using décor in similar tones creates a soothing, calm environment. If you prefer a bolder look, paint the ceiling, moulding and walls the same color using saturated hues. When using a monochromatic color scheme, make sure to use a variety of textures so it doesn’t feel flat and boring. 

Other popular colors right now include mushroom, sage green and earthy, sunbaked terracotta.

Wallpaper 

Wallpaper is everywhere these days, and maximalist designs will make a lasting impression. Consider large and colorful patterns in small spaces, such as powder rooms, or as an accent wall in a bedroom. Floral, wildlife, bird, abstract and geometric patterns are all popular. 

If you prefer a softer look but want some texture for your space, consider light-colored patterns or grass cloth. If you’re renting, peel-and-stick wallpaper is an ideal option that you can easily remove before you leave.

Gallery walls are a way to inject personality into your space. Use them in living rooms, bedrooms, offices and more. Layer in a variety of items such as shelves, artwork, mirrors, plants, books, candles and favorite mementos. 

To make items stand out, paint the wall a color that ties in some of the things featured on your gallery wall.

It’s time to bring nature indoors. Textured neutrals are a trending design choice that makes a space feel warm and inviting. Here are a few easy ideas you can incorporate.

• Jute and sisal rugs look great in homes with farmhouse, cottage, traditional and transitional styles. If you prefer something softer underfoot, layer a wool or cotton rug on top of the jute or sisal rug.
• Throw pillows and bedding in soft cotton, wool and silk can pull a look together. 
• The natural imperfections of raw wood can be found in tables, cutting boards, cabinetry and more, adding beauty to living rooms and kitchens.
• Woven baskets, wooden tabletop decorations, frames and greenery complete the look.

Open any interior design magazine or scroll through home design trends on Instagram and you’ll many images of slatted walls, fluted vanities and reeded dressers. These moulding treatments can take a space with flat, boring walls or simple pieces of furniture and transform it into a stylish, modern space that adds texture and depth. In the image above, a rustic living room gets an uplift with a slatted wood wall behind the fireplace.

To incorporate fluted or reeded accents into your home, you can: 

• Add reeded moulding to the inset of a Shaker cabinet for a sophisticated update.
• Run wood slats from the ceiling down the wall for a visually stunning space.
• Use wood slats to create a headboard in a bedroom.
• Use moulding to create a reeded end table or dresser.

Our spaces over the last couple of years have had to do double or triple duty to accommodate the needs of adults working remotely and children attending school from home. Guest rooms double as gyms. Living rooms have become offices, and kitchen islands have become classrooms. In this image, a living room operates as an office and a workout space. 

Multi-functional spaces are here to stay, and there are ways to create them while remaining stylish and clever. If you’re lacking space but don’t want an office in the middle of your living room, consider a desk that folds into the wall when you’re done for the day. Or add a coffee table that rises up to become a kitchen table for a dining/living space. Game rooms are gaining popularity, so think of a ping pong or card table that converts into a dining table. These enhancements offer storage and functionality, making multi-functional spaces useful and attractive.

Outdoor spaces are more important than ever as yards, patios and decks are looking and functioning like additional rooms in your home. On this patio, a sectional, egg chair and pouf create an inviting space, while plants, candles, an outdoor rug, textured throw pillows and lighting are the perfect accessories. Other considerations include fire pits and patio heaters for cooler nights, misting systems for hot days, and outdoor kitchens for the ultimate entertaining space.

Conversely, plants are having a big moment indoors. Large palms, monsteras and olive trees create a dramatic statement in a home, smaller plants add color, and herb gardens act as functional décor that helps you make meals more flavorful.