Styles & Trends Decorating

It’s no secret that streamlining is in right now. Many of us are carefully evaluating everything from our wardrobes to our kitchenware and enjoying feeling lighter as we let unneeded belongings go. And with that, it’s no surprise that we’re more and more drawn to a streamlined look when it comes to furniture and decor, too. Take bed frames and headboards, for example. Gone are the days of tufted, upholstered numbers and in are sleek, simple wooden options, like the ones below.

Amid the natural beauty of the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park, sits El Cosmico, an 21-acre camp in the Chihuahuan Desert, a mystical place where time seems to stop. It’s this spirit of “dolce far niente,” the sweetness of doing nothing, and the bohemian-inspired trailers, yurts, and teepees at the off-the-grid retreat that draws visitors each year to experience that feeling of blissful freedom in Marfa, Texas.

We pay special attention to lighting. The glitzy chandelier featured in that historic house tour. Those coastal-inspired pendants along the bar at that airport restaurant. The single Edison bulb that illuminates your favorite hotel’s bedroom. “Lighting is one of the most important parts of a design—both the physical fixtures, as well as the quality of lighting,” says Dan Mazzarini of BHDM Design.

It's taking over home design, one line at a time.

What is it about minimalism that always makes us a little weak in the knees? It doesn’t matter if it’s one of Philip Johnson’s iconic glass houses or a set from our favorite movie, there’s something about those clean lines, pared-down details and neutral color palette that makes us feel like we’re in a stylish sanctuary.

If the kitchen is the stomach of your home, the living room is definitely its heart. It’s where you can curl up with a book on a lazy Sunday, catch up with some friends over a glass of wine, or spend the entire weekend binge-watching whatever’s on Netflix (hey, we’re not judging). Your living room is such an important part of your home, it’s important to keep it looking its best at all times.

For every home trend that people are obsessed with today (patterned cement tile, industrial lighting, brass fixtures), there are hundreds that we’ve long forgotten about. But like fashion, design is cyclical, and many of the choices that people loved back in the day are bound to make a comeback. Check out some of the iconic moments of the past 90 years or so, and see if your birth decade’s “in” is on the upswing again.

Like all the best trends—velvet furnishings, pastel kitchen appliances, even low-carb diets—animal prints have cycled in and out of style over the years (and centuries). At times they’ve been perceived as luxurious and expensive, at other times tacky, outdated, and even a little scandalous, but they never truly leave the cultural lexicon (most recently, Tom Ford’s 2018 Fall Ready to Wear Collection relied heavily on those wild patterns).

Here's how to overcome the daunting task of forging distinct areas inside a lofty, wall-less space.

When designer Erin Roberts and her husband moved into their 440-square foot small rental apartment in San Francisco, the first design task they tackled was figuring out the best way to lay out the space, “making sure we had enough furniture for guests to sit on, round trays for eating dinner on the sofa, and plenty of desk space for both of us to work side by side.

As we move into 2019, let the stars be your decorating guide.

There is nothing quite as luxurious as a stylish bathroom, but sometimes it’s hard to design the small space in a way that makes your eyes pop while simultaneously leaving a lasting impression. There are an infinite number of light fixtures and shower curtains you can choose from, but one way to take your bathroom up a design level is to match your wall tiles to your floor tiles. Does it sound intense? Sure, but have faith and hear me out.

These are the bedroom trends that are seriously past their prime.

It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. You know, when the color experts at Pantone will be announcing the 2019 Color of the Year, which will likely happen any day now. We’re on the edge of our ultra-violet seats waiting to see what hue it could be. To help ease and abate our anticipation, we called on some of our favorite interior designer friends to find out what shade they could see Pantone choosing as the Color of the Year.

New year, new you. Once January 1 rolls around, we all make these grand resolutions to make ourselves healthier, more positive, more productive, and all-around better people. We buy a fancy gym membership. We forgo our favorite takeout spot in favor of a healthy, home-cooked meal. We even promise ourselves to not hit the snooze button more than once (okay, twice). We commit to bettering ourselves—and rightfully so—but what about our homes?

Are you kind of over mid-century modern design? Do you roll your eyes whenever you spot a knock-off Eames dining chair or faux Saarinen tulip table? Do you look at your MCM couch with a tinge of disdain, wishing you could redesign your space? It’s okay, you’re not alone. If I’m being totally honest, I too am tired of the MCM madness. Don’t get me wrong, I love the aesthetic; however, the style is becoming too ubiquitous that it no longer feels special.

You don’t need to be an interiors expert to be familiar with mid-century modern design. Even if you can’t spot its signature clean lines and minimal details from a mile away, most stores have products that are blatantly labeled “mid-century inspired.” The mid-century modern movement first broke onto the design scene over 50 years ago and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Living in a small space sometimes isn’t as fun as all those Instagrammable tiny houses make it look. With square footage at a premium, smaller apartments and houses come with their unique hurdles that make it challenging to decorate your space. Where are you supposed to put all your clothes? How do you fit an entire dining room into an area that’s as big as most people’s closets?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Amazon has a bunch of home decor pieces that look expensive, but are ridiculously affordable. It’s not that surprising, right? After all, you can buy just about everything (and we mean everything) at the mega-retailer—and usually for a low, fair price. Of course, we’re not the only ones who think Amazon is a decorating enthusiast’s paradise.

When you picture your dream house, chances are it features a big, beautiful closet. You know, kind of like Mariah Carey’s wardrobe in her iconic episode of MTV’s “Cribs.” Or maybe like Cher Horowitz’s, complete with a computer that puts together great outfits for you. Or maybe it has a rotating shoe cupboard like Goldie Hawn’s closet did in “Overboard.” You get the picture, right?

Granny-chic decor is having a moment. You know, the heavy floral prints, patterned wallpapers, retro furnishings, and other kitschy decor items you used to see around your grandma’s place. Recently, these kinds of nostalgic interiors are popping up all over the ‘gram, and we’re here for it. Don’t believe us? Read ahead for seven Instagram accounts you must follow if you’re a fan of all things kitsch and granny-chic. 1.

Americans spent the last three or four decades tearing out pretty-in-pastel bathroom tiles. Pale pinks and greens surrounded every toilet, every shower, every sink. After spending decades finding the same shades everywhere, it’s no wonder we grew tired of the trend. But it’s time to break out your mortar and grout: Colorful bathroom tiles are coming back.

Did you know the mirror, as we know it today, was invented fewer than 200 years ago? According to LiveScience, in 1835 German chemist Justus von Liebig coated a pane of glass with a thin layer of metallic silver and successfully coaxed out mankind’s inner Narcissus for decades to come. Since then, mirrors have come to be a solid fixture in interior design and, more recently, round mirrors seem to be challenging the rectangular norm (and for good reason).

Bohemian looks have always been trendy, but not many people go full-blown flower-child in their homes. If you’re a true maximalist at heart and love going full steam with a trend, then you will love the maximalist bohemian aesthetic. Utilizing bold, look-at-me wallpaper prints, a dizzying array of clashing patterns, saturated colors, and layered textures, just about every detail in the space competes for your attention.

Gallery walls fill a void in our heart we didn’t know we had: the need to show off all of our artwork, all of the time. But after a decade exploding with galleries, it’s time for something a little more streamlined. Enter the gallery grid, where themed artwork is hung in a grid—think of it as a gallery wall, sans clutter. The result adds a pleasing sense of order to your living spaces.

Ah, home sweet home. Well, for now, that is. Whether you recently graduated from college, are moving in with your partner, or are renewing your lease, there’s a good chance you’re living in a rental apartment. Studies show more people are renting than at any point in the past 50 years. We’ll let that sink in. Sure, there are a lot of perks to living in a rental.

Sneaky homeowners used to fill bowls with fake apples, grapes, and bananas—but don't you dare take a bite.

With the cold weather season fast approaching, it’s time to finally address an age-old debate in the decor world: Are there really any differences between flannel and plaid? The answer, simply, is yes. So to further breakdown the distinction, we called upon textile aficionado Annie Selke, CEO and President of The Annie Selke Companies, for help. We asked her what really made plaid and flannel all that different and she spelled it out for us.

Face it, millennial pink isn’t going out of style anytime soon. We loved the shade as much as the next person when it first came onto the scene in 2016. But two years later? It often feels stale and played out. If you want to freshen up the celebrated color, try pairing it with red. Let’s get one thing straight: This color combination is a far cry from what you see on cheesy Valentine’s Day decorations.

We forecast—and set—decor trends all the time here at Apartment Therapy. But what does a “trend” even mean and where do they come from in the first place? “Trends are heavily influenced by pop culture, fashion, food, music, the streets, and sometimes what is going on in the world politically,” Lori Weitzner, author of Ode to Color, previously told the site. Sometimes when you hear about one it can start to feel like it’s popping up all over the place.

Most of us can’t afford to outfit our homes with pricey, one-of-a-kind pieces. Yes, we’d love a gallery wall filled only with high-quality canvas originals, or a collection of fancy, passed-down decorative teacups. But if we waited around until we had an entire apartment’s worth of high-end decor, we’d stare at bare walls for decades. There’s no shame in loving what you’ve got and going to stores like HomeGoods or IKEA for the rest.

See this smart and stylish makeover.

You don’t have to be a design aficionado to know clean, sleek furniture and design are all the rage these days. But discerning whether a piece is minimalist, modern, or contemporary? Now, that’s another story. Chances are you’ve been using minimalist, modern, and contemporary interchangeably for years, without thinking twice about whether or not they’re the same. It’s okay, you’re not alone.

The 2019 IKEA Catalog is the gift that just keeps on giving. Beyond serving up tons of eye candy, painting ideas, and new collections, the IKEA catalog is a great place to go for a sneak peek at the home trends that will take the decor world by storm in the coming year. Ahead: A look at a few of our favorite home trends we spotted throughout the catalog. Get ready to see these everywhere in 2019.

"Keep Calm and Please STOP IT."

Artist Wassily Kandinsky once said, “Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” Yet, finding a color combination that’s cool, modern, sophisticated, and complementary is easier said than done. For years, yellow and gray fit the bill. Easy and unexpected, the two hues were an unstoppable duo for gender neutral nurseries and cheery rooms alike.

It dates all the way back to ancient Egypt.

If you’ve ever stayed in an Airbnb, you know that those homes can pack a seriously stylish punch. And with the newly launched Airbnb Plus, you’ll see even more of that. All of the homes are a new tier of breathtaking listings, inspected and verified in person against a 100-point checklist for quality and comfort to ensure a premium experience for guests (AKA us). Here, a look at the top wish-listed Airbnbs on Airbnb Plus and the design takeaways you can use in your own home.

For every 3D-printed project that pops up, there appears to be endless groundbreaking feats that are infinitely more ambitious than the last. Case in point: Plans for the world’s first 3D-printed concrete housing project are officially underway in the Dutch city of Eindhoven.

Try implementing some of these tips to give your modern dry-walled digs an extra helping of soul.

We were so saddened to hear that Kate Spade was found dead by apparent suicide today. Her influence on the world of design and fashion is immeasurable and we will so miss her iconic style. From her handbags to her home goods, Kate brought delight into our lives by approaching simple items with a sense of joy and whimsy.

The thing about design styles is that when they become a ubiqutious trend—like the mid-century modern look or the ’70s style bohemian resurgence this year—is that they take on a life of their own after awhile. What starts as a decor movement anchored in traditions and classic elements can evolve and reshape itself with every home it touches.

We all love IKEA for its simple, Scandinavian design and reasonable prices, but that versatility and affordability often makes decorating your home painfully ubiquitous. Instead of unearthing a one-of-a-kind piece—and feeling like a total design pro—you end up with the same furniture as your coworker, best friend, old college roommate, and your favorite influencers. Ugh. But just because you (rightfully) love IKEA doesn’t mean your space needs to fall into basic territory.

We got the skinny on the polarizing trend.

If you're not completely happy with your home's current look, try implementing these brilliant mirror tricks and you'll be in for a real treat.

That first cup of delicious morning coffee; that afternoon latte; a late night cup of tea [insert long blissfully happy sigh]—arguably the best part of your day, right? It’s those beautiful moments of peace, in the midst of emails and back-to-back meetings, and there’s just you and your caffeine (or decaf) du jour.

We turn to our moms for advice on just about anything—how to navigate our careers, deal with relationship issues, recreate our favorite childhood dish… the list goes on and on. As for me, I’ve even been known to ask my mom to help me choose a health insurance and 401(k) plan and I’m 29 years old. The point is, our moms have taught us a lot. In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked designers what their moms taught them about decorating.

If I asked you to imagine something made of denim, I’m guessing you’d probably think of a pair of pants—not a couch. Over the years, this distinctive blue canvas material has become almost synonymous with blue jeans. The idea of using denim in interior decor may seem a bit strange to you—I thought so too, until I saw this striking sofa in actress Denise Vasi’s Los Angeles home and began to wonder: what if?

And here's how to decorate it at home.

It is almost summer, and that means it is almost time for your friends to post pictures of themselves on Instagram, gracefully posed on top of some trendy pool float in some enviable location. Look, the rise of the statement pool float is one of the weirder things about Instagram, but I remember that, as an 8-year-old, I was once very, very excited about a pool float shaped like an alligator, so I have no room to judge.

Ahhh, open shelving. There are some very strong opinions about this kitchen trend. I’m 99% ready to take the leap myself, ditching the looming floor-to-ceiling boxy pantries a previous owner added to our Victorian home. They close in the already small-ish space But it’s a big commitment to move to an everything-on-display kitchen. Sure, they look beautiful on Pinterest, but what’s it really like to live with open shelves?

Whether you’re watching the latest television reboot or liking the latest retro #TBT on your timeline, nostalgia for the ’90s is at an all time high. While the pop culture love fest for the decade rages on, let’s take a look back at some of the craziest decorating trends that will give any 90s kid a truly rad blast from the past. Maybe the ’90s should have been known as the see-through decade. Transparency was totally in when it came to home decor.

Perhaps you’ve currently got a piece of mudcloth casually draped over the foot of your bed or the edge of your sofa. It’s probably been happily living there, undisturbed, for a couple of years without so much as a second thought. You might be surprised to learn, however, that a new fabric is taking the design world by storm. If you haven’t heard of cactus silk, allow us to introduce you.

Anyone who’s scrolled through Instagram in the past year or so might have spotted someone knees-deep in a pool full of sprinkles. If you’ve thought “what on earth is this magical land where you can swim in millions of rainbow Jimmies?,” here’s the answer: the Museum of Ice Cream. It’s part-playground, part-“museum,” and 100% FOMO inducing.

You know you’re completely satisfied with your humble abode when you drop stacks of cash to have someone create a miniature replica of your house. Apparently, these tiny examples of non-kid-friendly, grown-up decor are perfect to display alongside your other pricey trinkets that are presumably placed out of the reach of tiny, toy-seeking hands. According to Bloomberg, these small scale models have become popular thanks to companies like U.K.-based model maker, Chisel & Mouse.

You might know Susan Kelechi Watson from her role as Beth from the constant-sob-inducing show This Is Us, or recognize her as Janet, the ex-wife from Louie. But there’s more to Susan than her impeccable acting skills—she also has an amazing Los Angeles apartment that’s chock-full of personality. Her home feels welcoming, airy, and full of color and fun.

Of course, before mid-century modern there was shabby chic, and before that there was that awful oversize Tuscan villa-esque furniture that looked like it was made for giants, but no style has had quite the staying power that mid-century modern has. When I graduated college, in 2005, we were talking about it, and 13 years later, we still are. This, of course, means that people like me are always trying to predict what “the next” MCM is. Is it Italian Modernism? Is it Victoriana?

What does cozy mean to you? I’m writing this story wrapped in a wool tartan blanket, my big dog at my feet, wearing a fuzzy sweater (hand knitted by a Norwegian, I kid you not). It would be better if the fireplace in the room where I’m writing worked, but late afternoon sunlight is pouring in the window and that’s almost as good.

Blue and white ginger jars have always had a special place in decorators’ (and grandma’s) hearts, but Chinoiserie has had a massive boom in searches on Pinterest lately, meaning it’s going mainstream. And that spike is only part of a much larger trend of old, antique, and retro aesthetics coming back into vogue. Not only are ginger jars having a moment, but so are sputnik lamps, velvet upholstery, and rattan pieces, among many others.

There’s a new term roaming the corridors of the internet that made our ears perk up the second we heard it and we think you’re going to like it, too. It’s called a “pajama lounge”, and we want one. The idea is nothing new, though: growing up in suburbia, you may have had an upstairs loft or living room where the kids studied, watched TV maybe before heading down to the kitchen for a bowl of cereal if your home was spacious enough.

Long ago, before anybody had even dreamed of the internet, people did their holiday shopping in a charmingly analog way: by scoping out gifts in store windows. Then, in 1883, the smart folks at the Macy’s department store in New York City realized that they could draw even more people to their store windows by putting on a show.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what gives the half wreath its undeniable je ne sais quoi. Perhaps it’s its deconstructed, minimal aesthetic; or maybe it’s just a blatant disregard for convention that we find so attractive. Whatever it is, one thing’s for certain…this elevated look is affordable, accessible, and totally DIYable for all. Half wreaths are versatile in that they can be left simple, or embellished with as many blooms and baubles as your heart desires.

Some of the most beautiful homes I saw this year were from The Netherlands. From houses in Amsterdam’s bustling urban center to organic modern homes full of history in bucolic country settings, each home perfectly embodies the personality and spirit of the person living in it. But while each space is wholly unique, I noticed a series of three important things that folks living in Dutch homes seem to “get right” when it comes to design.

One of the most charming things about holiday decor are the stockings lined up across a mantel—but what happens if you don’t have a fireplace? Ah well, then of course you dot your staircase banister with them. What? No staircase either? Never fear! This clever idea taking over Pinterest works for everyone, no matter your architectural shortcomings. Decorative ladders in living rooms have been a big trend these last few years, usually used to hang blankets and throws.

I did not grow up in a house that delicately opened gifts on Christmas morning. My mother did not collect all the intact gift wrap, fold it carefully and stash it away for another use. We were savages that ripped open presents with abandon. The more shreds I could get out of each box, the longer the unwrapping lasted, which made me a happier child. (My mother did, however, always save gift boxes—the kind you put shirts and pajama sets in—as well as gift bags because she was no fool.

If 2017 left you feeling like your life got flipped turned upside down, then you wouldn’t be the only one. And there’s a new (whimsical?) holiday trend to support the state of affairs, and we have Karl Lagerfeld to thank/blame. On Wednesday, Claridge’s unveiled their annual Christmas tree, a tradition which hospitality site The Caterer calls “one of the highlights of the London hotel festive season”, and this year, it’s… upside down.

Is this the look that's destined to be all over design blogs in two to five years? Or just a flash in the pan?

To dig into the heads of our most loyal followers, we surveyed readers last month on a bevy of topics. They revealed their favorite cleaning shortcuts, their most hated chore, even the Apartment Therapy advice that has been a game-changer for their home life. We also asked them about trends. We learned that readers are still pretty much into the whole boho look and really love colored doors (and color, in general).

As a person who writes content for the internet, I am uncomfortably familiar with the lengths people will go to to entice people to click on their content. “X is the new Y” is a well-trod and reliable formula. Because who wouldn’t want to know what’s new? So when I saw the first flurry of articles crowning something called “Gen Z Yellow” the new Millennial Pink, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a little bit. Another day, another trend piece.

Some trends come and go, while others come, stay, and leaving us saying, “wait, why wasn’t this always a thing?”. With a simplicity and softness that feels timeless in its appeal, we think trendy round mirrors are here to stay. If you’ve been on the fence about “rounding out” your mirror collection, here are two nearly identical round brass-framed mirrors in two not-so-identical price points ($50 vs.

The Wall Street Journal recently published a story with a simple yet shocking premise: “To make their home interiors look better on Instagram and amass more followers, millennials and social-media mavens are painting their walls white.” What do you think of that? What do we think of that?

Before getting down to business, I would like to say no disrespect to any of the prints featured in this article. They are all wonderful motifs in their own right, but for reasons ranging from over saturation to too many knock-off versions, 2017 may be the year to put down the palms. What do you think? I reached out to a couple of well-known designers to get their take on prints they think are too trendy or tired.