During this past week I have been asked by several people “Where do design trends start?”. This got me thinking about how these trends evolve.

You will hear design and retail industry people talking about trending, which refers to what is becoming readily available for a period of time, what we see and hear about in the media, socials, and magazines.

A design trend may be short-lived or be around for a reasonable amount of time. Just like clothing fabrics and fashions, interior decorating style constantly evolves and changes.

An initial design or concept may emerge from a big-name designer, whose work is photographed and published; this will be picked up by other designers. This is where big business also steps in: think paint companies, fabric designers, manufacturers and retailers.

Specialty research companies commence consumer analysis. When the momentum gets going and the trickle-down effect hits, whether we realise it or not what was available slowly becomes unavailable, and something new has taken its place.

Pantone is a colour forecasting company, and the fashion colour that is prominent at the moment is peach fuzz. Fashion is the important word here: a fashion element can be transient, but the concept behind it may be significant for 10 to 20 years.

Research indicates that, following the COVID-19 pandemic our communities are ready to have some fun, and bring colour into our homes.

Those peachy colours from apparel fashion have been slowly moving into our homes. There is a trend away from a cooler palette of whites and greys to a warmer palette: think pinks, corals, and salmon.

Berber carpets were a dominant textural feature of our homes in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Similar fabric textures are now seen in knobbly linens, wools, and more organic fibres.

Following from organic fibres, we are seeing more wicker, woods and textured ceramics. We also see a return of the subtle curve. Bouclé, a textured fabric, works beautifully on more curved shaped armchairs and sofas. Those soft curved shapes reflect the desire for social intimacy, the wish to be enveloped in coziness.

On average most people replace their larger pieces of furniture every 15 to 20 years, which lines up roughly with the life cycle of a design trend. When you are next looking online or in a furniture store, look out for more curved and rounded furniture!

Published in the March 2024 Issue of The Trentham Trumpet