The One Home Decor Trend I Hope Stays in 2018
Well, the end of the year is upon us, and it’s time to look forward to what 2019 has to offer in terms of style and design. But I also think it’s fun to reflect on the past and think about what trends might be running their course. What I’m about to say might be a little polarizing, especially if you live in a rental and can’t really do much about your surroundings. But the one trend I hope stays in 2018 is: Bright white painted walls.
I’m not saying there isn’t a time and place for white ever. It’s a clean, neutral backdrop that’s inoffensive for sure—I mean, white is the ultimate anti-shade, colorless and unpigmented. But I think this hue has finally reached peak saturation (literally no pun intended). Once Benjamin Moore named “Simply White” its “Color of the Year” for 2016, it seemed like every designer quit using anything on the color spectrum beyond the occasional bold kid’s bedroom or pastel nursery. And then the rest of us followed suit. Quite frankly, I’m a little bored with my own home, probably because the whole “white walls with a gallery style arrangement, navy blue sofa, and houseplants galore” combo that seemed so fresh for living rooms a few years ago, now has, well, widely been done.
Former “Fixer Upper” star Joanna Gaines, much as we love her, also might have something to do with this. White is integral to her brand of “farmhouse modern,” and it’s key to many Scandinavian-style interiors as well. So we’ve all sort of flocked to this shade because it’s popular, it’s safe and lastly, and it looks good on social media. That’s fine, I guess, and if you love your bright white walls with all your heart, by all means, keep them. But I’m ready for something new—to be inspired by someone taking a risk and getting after stronger colors, whatever they might be.
I’m not advocating that after 2018 every single wall needs to be painted a bold jewel tone, neon, or even a chalky pastel. Let’s take baby steps and start small, kind of like the way this Australian homeowner incorporated pink and yellow alongside bright white.
And truthfully, if you don’t get great natural light, then all white everything probably isn’t the best option for you anyway. At least, that’s what just about every pro designer has told me—bright white walls can look dingy when they’re not in a sunny, well-lit room. So here’s to hoping color starts working its way back onto some of our walls in 2019. The only question is—what shade should I go for?