In a year where we celebrated another Royal Wedding, basked in one of the hottest, longest heat waves in British records and currently cheer on England through the World Cup, similarly, our love for interior design seems to be going nowhere fast. An ever-growing obsession with Pinterest and Instagram provides hours of inspiration, our houses become more and more unique with nods to styles from all over the world. We are happy to experiment with different colours, textures and furniture while continuing to focus on practicality and liveability in the buildings we call our homes. As we move into the second half of 2018, it’s time to take a look back at the trends and interior styles that have captured our heart so far.
Lagom Styling
Taken from Scandinavian living, lagom is the new trend that swiftly overtook hygge in 2017. If you haven’t heard of it yet, lagom translates into ‘just the right amount’ – an idea that focuses on moderation and the perfect balance between not too little and not too much. Within our homes, designers have interpreted this with paired back aesthetic that involves decluttering and ditching fussy fabrics. So far in 2018, we’ve seen this played out through simplified colour schemes and minimal accessories. Lagom asks us to consider the space around us and the specific purpose of each room. It delves into how the energy flows around the room and whether each aspect is adequately positioned for its purpose. By creating a space that is both practical and uncomplicated, we appreciate the items within it and that ‘perfect balance’ we spoke about earlier. Our Cream and Beige Roller Blinds can be used to create a relaxing haven within any home with their gentle colours that help to bring about a sense of calm – perfect for the lagom-inspired house.
Geometric Prints
At the beginning of the year, colour authority Pantone predicted that geometric prints would become a highly popular trend in 2018. And they couldn’t have been more correct! Bringing detail and intrigue into any room in seconds, the right print merges both modern and vintage style together. Think dark blue kitchen tiles patterned with interlocking hexagon shapes or Art-Deco inspired scatter cushions that look equally fabulous displayed on your sofa or master bed. The versatility is there for you to personalise geometric prints to suit your individual style. Whether you draw inspiration from minimalist Scandi-style furniture or look to Pop Art, this intriguing statement continues to grow in popularity.
Fringe
Where once the notion of fringe would take you straight back to your Aunt’s hippy-inspired living room or to the height of Wild West fashion, 2018 has seen it undergo a massive makeover. Just a single search for ‘fringe interior‘ on Pinterest will return reels and reels of tassel hemmed throws and textured pillow covers to suit any home. When used appropriately, fringed textiles help to bring a dash of Art Deco styling into the home in a fun and playful manner. Whether you’ve decided to embrace it fully and wade your way through wool frills at every single step or use it to add depth to your existing décor, there is no denying that fringe is an interior trend that we expect to continue growing in popularity over the coming 6 months.
Mindfulness
Creating a home designed around tranquillity and serenity is what mindfulness interior design is all about. As we continue to focus more on mental health and the ways in which we can make improvements, it seems inevitable that this would filter down into our homes. Thought to help sustain a healthy mindset, homes inspired by mindfulness use accessories and colours to calm the soul. Think fresh flowers flooding the room with their warming scent, natural materials that stroke the skin and soft natural colours that all work together to calm the mind and bring about a sense of ease. Another huge factor in mindfulness design is lighting with a specific focus on natural beams partnered with dimmer switches and softer bulbs in the rooms where you spend your evenings. Indoor plants – especially those with rich green foliage – help to clean the air and improve circulation while also boosting the mood and reducing stress. And finally, mindfulness is all about surrounding yourself with objects that bring you joy as well as those that are useful.
Botanical Prints
Look anywhere from the fashion catwalks to the walls of your favourite art shop and you’ll spot botanical prints. We’ve become even more obsessed with them in 2018 and have found places for them all over our homes. The boldest of stylists throw caution to the wind and adorn an entire wall with exotic palm tree wallpapers while other choose to speckle their homes with leafy cushion covers, throws and wall art. We have the geniuses at Pantone to thank for this (once again) as, since they announced Greenery as the colour of last year, we continue to embrace these horticultural ideas more and more. If a lack of space restricts you from introducing large tropical plants into your home then botanical prints are the perfect way to embrace these refreshing shades and natural materials in any room. Our Chatsworth Black Roller Blinds are covered in an eye-catching botanical leaf print that filters the light through gently and brings this nature-inspired trend straight into your home.
Typography
Our love of beautiful fonts has long since found its way into our homes and 2018 is no different. We’ve noticed a rise in popularity within the influencer community to showcase their homes or bedrooms across their social media platforms and you can be sure that, in the background, you’ll spot an inspirational quote. Acting as a homage to the traditional art of hand calligraphy, typography art allows us to celebrate the more literary forms of communication in a world where digital is entirely dominant. The choices are endless – from the hopeless romantic through to the avid comedian, there’s an option out there for you. We have a particular penchant for those that take lines from our favourite films and transport us back to a fond memory in seconds. Typography is a versatile trend that finds its way into any room around the house, from culinary-inspired LED lights in the kitchen through to simplistic chants hung in frames and dotted around your office.
Dark Woods
Where once we fell in love with the bleached woods of Scandi-inspired style, 2018 has seen us take a step closer to dark and more adventurous alternatives. Luxuriously decadent, we’re talking dark oaks, organically marked walnuts and the richest of mahogany. Although this drastic flip from what we’ve loved for so long may seem daunting to some, it has managed to leak its way into 2018 style in a multitude of different ways. For those willing to throw themselves in fully, the dark wooden wardrobes and kitchen surfaces that once found their way into the skips now sneak back into homes in full force. On the other end of the spectrum, staple accessories such as photo frames or flower pots have now been re-imagined in darker colours as a pop within any room. Our Dark Wood blinds are the perfect way to introduce this elegant trend into your home and come in a wide range of shades from Fired Walnut through to Hazel and Wenge Woodgrain.
Colours: Dark Blue, Hunter Green and Deep Reds
When it comes to colours, it seems that 2018 is the year for richer, deeper hues. Hunter greens, seductive reds and midnight blues envelop the walls of our homes and are making their way into our textiles and soft furnishings too. Think statement walls painted head-to-toe or plastered in luxurious wallpapers through to velvet-covered cushion covers and decadent lampshades – got the picture? The greatest thing about these exuberant colours is the effortless way they pair with another ever-growing trend – metallics and golds. Pairing both industrial stylings with regal charm, these deep colours can be easily incorporated into rooms and homes of any size so no budding interior stylist need be left out. Consider introducing these deep colours into your home through window blinds – our Splash Admiral, Vitra Pixie and our Helios Burgundy window blinds add that pop of colour you’re looking for in the most practical way.
So now that you’ve taken a peek into what the first 6 months of 2018 threw at us in terms of interior design, it’s your turn to integrate your favourite trends into your own home today. And what better way to do this than through your windows? Ok, we know we’re slightly biased but we truly believe that the right window blinds can help transform a room while giving you back full control of your privacy and light control. And, the great thing about them is that all the versatile prints and beautiful colours can be styled to suit your evolving preferences for many years to come.
Our range of bespoke and made-to-measure window blinds are designed here in the UK with exquisite fabrics and high-quality materials. From our dark wood Venetian blinds through to our Leaf and Tree-inspired roller blinds, our range of affordable window dressings are constantly evolving and changing to suit the most popular trends of 2018. Take a browse through our Shop4Blinds website today and discover premium quality window blinds that will keep both you and your home ahead of the trends as we move towards Christmas.