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13 Home Design and Decor Trends to Watch for in 2013
It's predictions ahead as we find out what's on the radar of designers and makers for the coming year
Just when you've gotten used to celebrating this year's trends, ideas new and old for 2013 have shown up on the horizon. Designer Abigail Ahern says a good way to stay sane amid the trend forecasts is to think about how — or if — each forecasted trend somehow resonates with your own life. "If it doesn't reflect you, don't follow the masses," she says. "It's nice to know that more and more people are becoming braver in their spaces and really using their home design and decor as an extension of their individuality."
The need for a more personal, individualized home is a design ethos that interior designer Estee Stanley also sees as gaining popularity. "People want to live a more relaxed life, so the trend will be to make every single room in the house a space that you can actually live in," she says.
Here are professionals' predictions about how the shift toward a more personal and meaningful space will translate into designs and home decorating in 2013.
The need for a more personal, individualized home is a design ethos that interior designer Estee Stanley also sees as gaining popularity. "People want to live a more relaxed life, so the trend will be to make every single room in the house a space that you can actually live in," she says.
Here are professionals' predictions about how the shift toward a more personal and meaningful space will translate into designs and home decorating in 2013.
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1. Verre églomisé ("gilded glass"). Interior designer Melanie Turner is looking for a design trend that offers something different from what's in showrooms. "I'm in search of what's hard to find. I think verre églomisé is just that special treatment next year," she says. In this process, glass is gilded with gold or metal leaf on the back side.
Although Turner acknowledges that people are craving simplicity in their lives, she says that many of her clients still want to surround themselves with meaningful and beautiful things. "Verre églomisé is jewelry for the room — especially for rooms that are becoming smaller, where clients want more of a jewel box finish," says Turner.
Although Turner acknowledges that people are craving simplicity in their lives, she says that many of her clients still want to surround themselves with meaningful and beautiful things. "Verre églomisé is jewelry for the room — especially for rooms that are becoming smaller, where clients want more of a jewel box finish," says Turner.
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| 2. Antique brass. The coming year will see more brass being incorporated into the home, predicts Stanley. "I think antique brass is making a comeback in structural elements, hardware and other embellishments," she says. |
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| 3. Bleached floors. Stanley also thinks people will start using lighter woods for floors and cabinetry again. "I see an increase in methods like bleaching, lyming and painting woods to achieve a lighter tone in flooring and cabinetry," she says. |
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4. More luxe design for the masses. Companies like Crane & Canopy and Thrive Furniture have cut out the middlemen and are selling their home decor and furnishings directly to consumers, thereby slashing costs significantly. Luxurious bedding with a thread count of 300-plus, for example, can now be had for under $100.
While interior designer Jennifer Jones doesn't think the entire future of home decor lies in the slashed supply-chain model, she acknowledges that companies selling luxe home goods directly to consumers have a rightful place in the home design marketplace, especially in 2013.
"I like the idea of companies like Crane & Canopy," she says. "They have more flexibility to change designs based on client feedback and demand — and that's a great thing."
While interior designer Jennifer Jones doesn't think the entire future of home decor lies in the slashed supply-chain model, she acknowledges that companies selling luxe home goods directly to consumers have a rightful place in the home design marketplace, especially in 2013.
"I like the idea of companies like Crane & Canopy," she says. "They have more flexibility to change designs based on client feedback and demand — and that's a great thing."
5. True blues. Interior designer Kyle Schuneman is seeing lots of punchy blues on the sets of advertising and home decor catalog shoots. From ceramic accessories to upholstery to throw pillows, Schuneman says blue is going to be a huge color in 2013.
"The punchiest, on-trend blue I've seen is a mix between a navy blue and royal blue. It's a true blue without any green hints," he says.
Interior designer Greg Natale says that although blue will be a big color in 2013, emerald green (recently named Color of the Year by Pantone, which makes naming color trends an annual event), Dior gray and salmon pink will also be all over the fashion runways and design showrooms.
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"The punchiest, on-trend blue I've seen is a mix between a navy blue and royal blue. It's a true blue without any green hints," he says.
Interior designer Greg Natale says that although blue will be a big color in 2013, emerald green (recently named Color of the Year by Pantone, which makes naming color trends an annual event), Dior gray and salmon pink will also be all over the fashion runways and design showrooms.
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| 6. Downsizing. Designer Jessica Helgerson looks at downsizing as a long-term trend. "New-development houses are getting smaller again," she says. "People are interested in living in smaller spaces that are closer to downtowns rather than larger houses where they are dependent on their cars." The designer has already gotten a few requests for the plan for her 540-square-foot home, one of the most popular on Houzz in 2012, which she says is a testament to a shift in the way people are looking at and designing their homes. Take a look inside Jessica Helgerson's home |
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| 7. Faux shagreen. Faux shagreen (that is, not from sharks, seals or other creatures) is the new on-trend hide. It has a uniform, organic and textured look that ups the glamour and sophistication level of any interior. "Almost every showroom at High Point Market this year had faux shagreen," says interior designer Kaitlyn Andrews-Rice of Christopher Patrick Interiors. She cautions that faux shagreen works only in natural colors and small doses. "Unfortunately, we saw a few showrooms with really odd shagreen colors. Shagreen desks, cocktail tables and chests look best when the hue is closer to grays, taupes, creams and neutrals," she says. |
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8. On-demand printing. "I predict a rise in DIY on-demand printing for fabric, paper and wallpapers," says maker and crafter Bonnie Forkner of the blog Going Home to Roost. She says companies like Spoonflower and Fabric on Demand are enabling more and more people to create their own custom upholstery fabrics, removable wallpapers and custom decals, making it easy to design, print and sell or buy custom designs with a click of the mouse.
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| 9. Fanciful, artful furniture design. A huge trend that designer-stylist Cassidy Hughes is seeing in design shows is a more fun approach to furniture and product design. She says, "I see the melding of art in furniture and decor really progressing and becoming more accessible for people to literally take home into their living rooms next year." |
by Greg Natale
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10. Stripes and geometrics. If 2012 was all about flowers on the runway and in design showrooms, next year will see a return to stripes, angles and diagonals. Greg Natale says, "We are seeing more angled shapes like triangles and trapezoids, as well as diagonals and zigzags. They're not just on walls but on ceilings, too."
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Wrapped furniture. "Whether it's linen, leather, raffia or grass cloth, the textured effect of wrapped furniture instantly grabs your eye," says interior designer Kim Hendrickson-Radovich.
by Shannon Malone
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Weathered kitchen countertops. More and more of kitchen and bath designer Lance Stratton's clients want countertops that can take the daily wear and tear of family life; there's a move away from show kitchens with precious countertops that clients are afraid to prep on for fear of scratches and dings. "They ask for countertops that already come a bit weathered," he says, "ones that have that banged-up look."
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Hello, neutrals. Goodbye, neon. Forkner says that although natural fibers like jute and raffia will always have a timeless quality, she thinks that there will be a noticeable celebration of natural, organic-looking spaces and a conscious move away from splashy neons as the go-to pop of color in the home. "I see a shift towards the use of more solids and neutrals with warm brassy tones and whites," she says.
Ideabook updated on Jan. 9, 2013.
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Of course we all are aware that design fashion, like clothes fashion, goes round in circles, keep something long enough and it will be in vogue again. Luckily many things improve as they go round but stripes and geometrics will never do it for me.
Sorry Cathy, I do enjoy your posts, but I know you are limited with time and available resources. I must admit it is nice for a change to see designers advising against following the masses.
1. More often than not, a client is redecorating in order to update their surroundings. Since most do not redecorate very often, it is important to keep in mind what is on its way out, what is coming "in" and what will remain classic or can easily be coordinated with.
2. Manufactures pay attention to trends. It is difficult to find products to coordinate with one another that do not follow trends (Not fads)
3. There are some things that are pretty cool that are introduced. If you love any of the cutting edge introductions, go for them if you "love" them. If they have staying power, you are a trend setter. If they are not something the masses go for, you have something unique that you love.
Surround yourselves with things you love, bring a smile to your face & heart, makes you feel comfortable and proud to call your own...in a thoughtfully placed and proportioned manner to optimize & compliment the beauty of the items and your surroundings.
I think that developers & designers need to get together! If people are downsizing (that house in #6 is 540 sq ft?!), how are they going to shoehorn-in the 2- and 3-island mega kitchens & large bathrooms with separate tub & shower, and double-sink vanities we’re told me need/should want?!
Fabric-wrapped furniture: How impractical can you get?! This must be the industry’s way of making sure people don’t keep the same furniture as long; the fabric will get soiled & be hideously expensive to clean, and even more expensive to “recover” .. if you can even find someone to do it properly! “Hello Neutrals, Goodbye Neon!” .. didn’t they just have a couple of articles within the last few weeks, encouraging people to try bolder, neon colors?!
It reminds me of Heidi Klum's signature phrase on Project Runway, "One week you're in .. and the next week you're out!"
The interior will all be lightly sanded Walnut - rought cut , true 1" , which has been reclaimed from a 60 year old amish barn that I was both thankful and fortunate enough to be able to purchase. The stairwell , Brownboard , a mix of softwoods recovered from an old dairy loft and other places-- lightly sanded for 'light' access which will also allow me to display all the darker antique picture frames that hold old black & white family photos from my Grandfather in WWII Takn Batallion in 43, 44, 45 and forward.. Walnut floors as well as upstairs interior and for the stairs treads possibly? unsure of the treads if they need to be accomodating brownboard or walnut to tie in to the rest of the interior?, A full 12'& 10' stone wall for my fireplace in the living room with wall length (30 feet wide) hearth , 16 inches high for eye candy and additional storage and/or seating . My island will be Walnut refaced.. my cabinetry will be painted a muted taupe or beige and glazed using an accomodating darker glaze , since the walls will all be true chocolate shades of Walnut -true 1 inch walnut. Tile floors downstairs for the ease of upkeep and cleanliness with several dogs , Built inwalnut banquette in dining area, with some accomodating fabric of choice for the space for cushions, to go with 16 foot island seating for accomodating more individuals during gatherings and , out in the gameroom will be- all weathered wood with 2.5 inch rainblw poplar slabs laquered at least 10 times for the built in cabinetry tops all natural cut in slabs with the live edge left on with brownboard cabinet and built ins along a 30 foot wall for shelving.. All walls , built in banquette as well as additional built in seating/sleeping sized areas. finally figured out that timeless , classic rustic is cozier and more home like. Our ancestors who lived in basic rustic wood structures with hand made furnishings, rough cut woods and 'livable' surroundings with furnishing made from pride, detail and carvings all were simply gorgeous. Never imagined how I would make this change at 50 years old and would come home to rustic simply to get back to such a warmth and goodness which appeals to "us" as a family and from our ancestors passed who lived wonderful lives, this is homage to them as well.
I design home accents that make it easy to change up your space without wiping out your bank account. It makes it easy to play with colors, patterns and trends without much commitment.
Trends should be fun to play with but not a basis to remodel your whole home!
As to the discussion of trends--they are always a suggestion, not a mandate. Take from them what you like, and leave the rest. :-)
Johanna
I've been doing my homes mostly in neutrals for years. I'm always a bit discomfited when I find what I'm doing is a "new" trend or style. I don't want my house to look like everybody else's. However, one can follow trends and still create one's own look.
I'm sorry, but that doesn't have a good sound to it. I regret a number of things that I got talked into and will not be making that mistake again.
I love different opinions. Makes us all right and all wrong. Love the input. Who knew I would be ahead of the 2014 curve?!? JK
With that said, I feel Cathy has given some excellent advice when she states, "think about how - or if- each forecasted trend somehow resonates with our own life. If it doesn't reflect you, don't follow the masses!"
I'm picky too because we are also looking for our second home and I won't buy 'em for that ONE reason. Not kidding! Can't believe how many of these I've come across. There's no way I'm gonna rip out granite and I'm certainly not going to live with it for 20+ years. And I too realize I'm a minority buyer.
I love HOUZZ....but for my reality I head to BHG . One can dream tho!
So here is an odd question; in the movie Avengers, Tony Stark's penthouse has this absolutely fabulous huge antique brass ceiling light. Does anyone know who makes it, or if it is even available? I have googled and searched many different high end lighting companies and can't find it anywhere.
So here is an odd question; in the movie Avengers, Tony Stark's penthouse has this absolutely fabulous huge antique brass ceiling light. Does anyone know who makes it, or if it is even available? I have googled and searched many different high end lighting companies and can't find it anywhere.
So here is an odd question; in the movie Avengers, Tony Stark's penthouse has this absolutely fabulous huge antique brass ceiling light. Does anyone know who makes it, or if it is even available? I have googled and searched many different high end lighting companies and can't find it anywhere.
So here is an odd question; in the movie Avengers, Tony Stark's penthouse has this absolutely fabulous huge antique brass ceiling light. Does anyone know who makes it, or if it is even available? I have googled and searched many different high end lighting companies and can't find it anywhere.
As for brass and usable kitchen cabinets and counters, brass will always be a staple. Every house I have re-done for myself for 30 years (5) have had maple butcher block counters on either side of the sink. If you are a cook, it cannot be beaten. Once you have had a butcher block counter at your sink that you actually use to chop and prepare food on, you will never want to give it up. Logically, though, I do use granite at the cooktop and for baking spaces.
Another "trend" that I try to discourage my clients from choosing is perfectly white cabinets. Guess what? In about a month, there will be a chip or scratch. I like the look of them, but they are really impractical. So, to get around that, I usually talk them into a light distressing procedure, which will mask the inevitable chips and scratches.
I read these trends, but I still do what the client asks for; trends are, well, ....... "trendy". Consequently, I pretty much stay away from them. With major trends like stainless steel appliances, I think one has to follow that lead, especially since most manufacturers don't offer many other options. However, they are hard to keep clean, and impractical from that standpoint (and everyone has to eventually clean them). BTW, the best thing I have found to clean them with is WD-40. Go figure, but it really works!
Another trend that I never bought into is the bronze door/cabinet handles, etc. They don't hold up, and after a short period of time lose their color where they are handled frequently. I either stick with brass, stainless, or brushed nickle.
Oh, well, the bottom line is that trends will continue; after all, variety is the spice of life! The trick is to enjoy it all! Happy New Year to everyone!