6 New Design Trends You Need to Know from Paris’ Coolest Decor Show

Every year, the who’s who of the design world gather in Paris for a bi-annual lifestyle and decor fair known as Maison et Objet. Designers unveil new collections there, while brands showcase their visions for the future and make predictions on the next big thing. Naturally, it’s where a lot of trends are born. 

The headline of the show this year was (RE)Generation: An ode to the design community looking to invest their time and energy in the talent of tomorrow, with a focus on the evolution of how, and where, we shop for our homes. Sustainability, functionality, and handcrafted goods were a few of the major themes present, informing what we will see more of in 2020 and beyond.

Read on for the most inspiring takeaways we spotted at the festival and consider them the perfect debut for the new decade.

Form finally meets function with this decor staple, and there isn’t a style compromise in sight. Mirrors of all shapes and sizes were introduced with built-in storage units, seats, and versatile shelves. Some even came with streamlined coat hooks. If your mirror is only being used for selfies, then you could be getting more for your money with one of these new hardworking styles.

This year is all about trading in rigid lines and sleek edges for a wavier alternative. From the delicate detailing of Hartmann & Forbes’s window treatments to Schneid Studio’s reimagined shelving units pictured above, it’s clear that curves are about to be all the rage. 

Whether it was in the form of lighting, handpainted ceramics, or patterned wall-coverings, Art Deco-esque motifs seemed to pop up everywhere. Variations included fan-shaped leaf prints, such as Harlequin’s Mirado wallpaper shown here, and pendants with wing-like silhouettes. We can’t wait to see this trend take off.

Designers decided to take upholstered furniture a step further and removed all visible traces of wood, metal, and hardware. You couldn’t find a bare sofa leg in sight. Verellen introduced their Noella Tall Wing Chair in bouclé fabric, allowing the sophisticated textile to downplay the bold outline of the seat. Following suit, Ligne Roset’s Taru sofa—its build inspired by elephants—came revamped with soft fabrics in cool tones like the forest green shown above, offering a subdued take on this living room staple. 

Over a century later and we’re still not ready to let go of Bauhaus design. The playful patterns of the movement that championed functionality and the abstract were reintroduced in collections by Merida rugs, Dedar fabrics, as well as in Tom Dixon’s new line of ceramics Swirl, which is shown above. 

Last September, Karl Lagerfeld debuted a two-toned suit, split straight down the middle, in his Fendi collection. At Maison et Objet, we saw the trend repeated in the form of upholstered swivel chairs from the same designer. The possibilities for mixing and matching are endless with these. Look for two-toned upholstery and mixed material pieces to hit mass retailers sometime soon.