We’ve examined various interior forecasts and identified some top trends all interior enthusiasts can expect to see in 2019.
1/10
Purple, not pink
Millennial pink has reigned for a good few years but now it’s time for a new pastel hue to share the Insta-worthy, Pinterest-grabbing crown. Purple, or more accurately, a grey-lilac (a softer, more usable shade than Pantone’s 2018 colour of the year UltraViolet) will be 2019’s ‘it’ hue.
And with this mauve-takeover, a move toward orange-based pinks (such as peach, apricot and coral) will begin to pick up.
Dulux Wholeself palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photography: Lisa Cohen.
2/10
Curves
From curved archways to rounded furniture to swirly artwork, 2019 will bring the popular 60s curve back in vogue. Dulux colour specialist Davina Harper describes this as a response to the overarching trend she witnessed during Milan Design Week; wellness. Curves, she says, add softness to a room and help it to feel more inviting and relaxing.
Dulux Wholeelf palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photography: Lisa Cohen.
3/10
Spaces without technology
Nowadays, our lives are saturated with technology, so, interior trends are responding and taking the opportunity to be the medium where we can be free from the screen. In 2019 you can expect to see a greater focus on hiding specific technologies, such as the TV, and incorporating them into a room using clever design, whether it’s a product like the Samsung Frame TV, or through cabinetry.
The Samsung Frame TV with its art screen blends in with the surrounding decor.
4/10
Anti-trend
It’s a little contradictory, (how can an anti-trend be a trend?), but Dulux colour specialist Davina Harper explains “anti-trend” is more about breaking the rules and creating your own.
The anti-trend trend encourages experimentation and energy in which colour plays a big role. Harper says she saw this trend embodied during Milan design week, where she saw unusual colour combinations, mixing patterns and unique feature walls.
The thing to remember with this trend is “anything goes.”
Dulux Identity palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photography: Lisa Cohen.
5/10
Home tech
But, we can never truly be without technology and as we go about trying to create tech-free zones in the house, other zones yield to the latest home-tech devices. Which, incidentally are still less obtrusive than their predecessors and are designed to blend in with the surrounding decor.
Voice-activated assistants such as Alexa and Google Home will become household regulars, their sleek designs sitting idly on kitchen and living room shelves. Portable speakers, too, have been given a face-lift, joining the ranks of other tech devices designed to stylishly sit next to art, objects and coffee table books without looking like a tech eye-sore.
Tivoli Orb Wireless Speaker, $449.
6/10
Dried flowers
If your mind instantly goes to the dust-ridden dried bouquets sitting in your grandmother’s house, you’d be forgiven for uttering a quiet “no” at hearing dried flowers are becoming popular again. But never fear, these aren’t the dust-ridden variety. Dried bouquets such as the kind Markantonia create are more sculptural than fussy.
Toi-toi rise to the top of the dried-flower trend, its tall, eye-catching shape making it a great addition to any room and its colour and look fitting in well with many styles.
Markantonia’s dried floral arrangements are sculptural and unique.
7/10
Sustainable, handmade pieces
This trend has been in development for a couple of years now, and whilst 2018 gave it a good kick start, 2019 will really see it take off. Expect to see colours inspired by Mother Nature used alongside vintage and re-purposed pieces. Fast-fashion homeware takes a bow and leaves the stage to make way for unique, handmade pieces.
Dulux Repair palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photography: Lisa Cohen.
8/10
The new fiddle-leaf fig
The fiddle-leaf fig has dominated interiors for as long as indoor plants have been trendy, and rightly so, it’s got great structure, is easy-care and looks good in any setting. But another plant has stepped up to rival the fashionable fig’s top status; the bird-of-paradise (more commonly known as the banana plant).
Much like the fiddle-leaf fig, this plant has over-sized leaves and is relatively easy-care but what sets it apart is its blue and orange flower, which adds a dot of colour to a room.
9/10
Tonal looks
Forget the complimentary and contrasting colour schemes, tonal looks will be prevalent in 2019. What is a tonal look? That’s a great question. A tonal colour scheme is comprised of a set of hues that all originate from the same colour family, be it reds and pinks, a range of blues or a delightful mix of purple, mauve and grey.
A tonal colour scheme is relaxing and calming, it’s also a great way to incorporate bold, saturated colours into your home because they’re less intense when incorporated into a tonal look.
Dulux Wholeself palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photography: Lisa Cohen.
10/10
Windows as walls
Framed with black steel, window walls or room dividers don’t only give a room a chic, minimal, industrial look but also add some architectural flair and allow light to flood in. Not just limited to dining or living rooms, steel-framed glass walls can also make great additions to bathrooms or bedrooms.
If you’re worried about privacy, installing curtains are an easy fix (they’re also a nice style addition with the softness of the material a welcome contrast against the hard steel and glass.)
