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When it’s time to remodel, deciding on how to style your home can be a headache. What’s on-trend at the moment? Will it suit my home? Can I keep my current stuff? We’re remodeling more than ever, and keeping up with the latest style can feel like a treadmill.
You don’t have to throw everything out and start again to be on-trend. If you’re feeling like it’s time for a change, then check out these four design aesthetics that are heading up homes in 2017, and decide for yourself which is right for you.
Hygge
Pronounced ‘hoo-guh’, this is the Danish trend that’s taking the winter-faring world by storm. The ethos of this interior design and lifestyle is comfort, particularly in cold times. Hygge-inspired spaces are cozy and warm, made for relaxing nights indoors with friends and family – think mugs of hot chocolate, sheepskin rugs over bare floors, shelves full of old leather books, thick woolen blankets, and bedsocks before the fire. This aesthetic best suits homes in climates with long chilly winters. Give your floorboards a polish, swap out that large carpet for a chunky woolly rug, set out a few candles and pile your sofa with comfy cushions.
Japandi
It was a matter of time before the form of Scandinavian design and the function of Japanese furniture met. Japandi is the next-stage fusion of the two aesthetics that characterized 2016 interior design, and features a subdued color palette of dove grey and softer pinks and blues, raw textures such as linen and timber, and imperfect, hand-crafter art. This is particularly effective in small homes and apartments that already have minimalist furniture.
Bring your home up to speed with elegant statement pieces like a Sonneman light or a hand-painted ceramic sculpture with strong geometric designs, and muted finishes in cream and grey. Less is more with this aesthetic, so choose one or two standout objects rather than cluttering your room with curios.
Maximalism
Designers have rebelled against the clean lines and subtle colors of minimalism by going as far as possible in the other direction. Maximalism is all about matching complementary colors, textures and patterns with as much decoration as possible, while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.
It’s hard to pull off, but you can succeed with this look with some design nous and a critical eye. Jazz up your existing furniture with bright, bold pieces: artwork, curtains, cushions, rugs, side tables, vases, lampshades, bowls and photographs. This is one design you can truly make your own.
Pick a ‘theme’ color – this year is all about a vibrant green – and use pieces which have a complementary – or strikingly contrasting shade. Fill tables with plants, stacks of books, fruit bowls and colored glassware.
This is the hardest trend to reign in, with a fine line between not enough and too much, so try and find a second opinion from a design-savvy friend to make sure you’re heading in the right direction with your design aesthetics.
