They say that what goes around, comes around – and that’s certainly true when it comes to the way we decorate our homes. This year has seen a whole list of style revivals as we’ve all been focused on creating a comfy space within our own four walls.
From navy blue paint to floral wallpaper and four-poster beds, this year’s home décor trends have borrowed heavily from the styles of decades gone by.
Remember those clinical, all-white kitchens so beloved of recent years? It seems they’re increasingly being ditched altogether – or complemented with some warmer-looking natural wood cabinets, islands and shelves.
The other big design shift in kitchens has been towards the so-called “colour pop” look, which adds an island or base cabinets in a bold primary such as dark red, acid yellow, bright green or navy blue.
In fact Classic Blue (a dark navy shade) was set by international designers as the 2020 Pantone Colour of the Year, so it’s been seen widely in both traditional and modern interiors via wall paints, upholstery and soft furnishings and even front doors.
Another boom theme has been that other blast from the past, floral wallpaper. The modern take is away from prissy little florals towards large scale blooms in bold colours and even metallic finishes. These lend themselves to a feature wall, either in a lounge, reception hall or garden room.
In the bedroom, four-poster, or canopy beds have been enjoying a revival. Some people love the traditional look with heavy fabrics and big solid headboard, while others prefer a lighter, more modern twist with bed frames made from acrylic, light wood or metal with filmy drapes.
The big trend in bathrooms has been a revival of the old-fashioned bath tub, which was squeezed out in the era of the power shower. Now people are turning back to luxurious free-standing baths – with almost 40% of those who upgraded their bathroom choosing a free-standing model such as the classic Victorian claw-foot design.
To go with all that retro design, there’s been another unexpected development – a revival of interest in antique art. While the general antiques market has been struggling, the one type of antique item that’s been making a comeback is art – particularly anything that looks aged or has a story to it.
Pictures are selling to be displayed in non-traditional areas such as the kitchen which is now seen as many people’s favourite room in the house, rather than just a cooking station.