Interior design trends to know now with Emily Murray from The Pink House

Emily Murray from The Pink House reveals what the coolest homes will be wearing this year...

There are some who sneer at the idea of trends, writing them off as the cynical workings of capitalism, always trying to make you feel dissatisfied with what you already have. At least, that’s what my mum says.

For me, someone who has always had a fascination with the new and shiny (and a past career in advertising), trends are what keep things interesting; they’re a way of stopping us from getting stuck in a rut.

Without trends, we’d all still be staring at beige walls, wearing chinos and eating liver. Or something.

Armed with a combination of enthusiasm and expertise, I came up with the colour-blocking trend on the next page when Houzz, the online community for designing and renovating your home, asked me about the hottest trends for 2018.

Keep reading to see which other trends some of the UK’s leading influencers predicted when they peered into their brass-bottomed crystal balls...

Colour-blocking

“For 2018, I predict we’ll see an increasing number of homes sporting the colour-block look. Bright, graphic neons and bold hues will prevail, often teamed with more pared-back pastels and muted tones. As the trend gathers pace, we’ll see more confident colour-block combinations, separated by clean, graphic, ‘80s-inspired lines.”

- Emily Murray, The Pink House
 

Maximalism

“Over the past few years, there’s been a strong focus on a more modern and minimalist interior style. For the upcoming year, I predict there’ll be a shift towards maximalism and 80s-influenced design.

We’ll see this style through mixing vibrant colours, striking patterns and contrasting textures within interior spaces. Strong wallpapers and paint colours, as well as bold objects, will be important accents in achieving this look. 2018 is a perfect time to be expressive and have fun with your interior.”

- Gabriella Palumbo, Flat 15 
 

Industrial-style doors

“As a reaction to the ubiquitous uPVC doors and windows you find in many new-build homes, we predict these industrial-inspired doors and windows will be making a comeback. The use of smaller panes of glass as opposed to ultra-modern glazed walls creates a bit more of a cosy feel.

We don’t think these will just be used outside of the home. As they’re often a pricier option, we predict more of this style being used as internal doors and windows, as a feature. Examples of this could be en suite bathroom doors, wine cellar walls and porches. They’re a fantastic nod to the traditional but with a twist.”

- David & Mark, Forward Features
 

Goodbye Scandi, hello luxe

“I think 2018 will see, if not the death of Scandi, at least it being forced to make room for a new sense of luxe and opulence. When the world outside is uncertain, we all want to come home to somewhere cosy, comfortable and safe.

So I think there will be a gradual softening of those clean Scandinavian lines and sense of minimalism, for a look that’s more colourful, more luxe and more cocooning. Think velvets and textiles in jewel tones that edge towards a more maximalist feel.”

- Kate Watson-Smyth, Mad About the House
 

Greenery everywhere 

“This has been emerging as a trend over the past couple of years or so, and I think 2018 is when it’s going to explode fully onto the interiors scene. More and more people are bringing plants and foliage into their homes – perhaps as an antidote to our increasingly stressful urban lives – and I see this spilling over into everything from plant-print wallpapers to fabric patterns.

As an extension of this, green upholstery is set to become a major trend, particularly velvet in deep shades of forest green.” 

- Abi Dare, These Four Walls