LIFESTYLE TRENDS
The past year has seen us mulling over home decor ideas which make us feel safe, comfortable and happy, those which give the impression of space, connect us with nature and enable households to live together harmoniously
These are not so much design trends, but rather lifestyle trends which have taken hold as an instinctive response to the way our lives have had to alter – and they are likely to be around for many years to come.
COTTAGECORE
Cottagecore is not a new concept, but since lockdown, it seems more relevant than ever. It’s like a warm comfort blanket that embraces the home, and is a global phenomenon, uniting young and old, from all walks of life. It’s a romantic reflection of rural life and a less complex world of a bygone era. In a nutshell the trend uses colours, patterns and details your granny might well have adopted for her home!
The essence of cottagecore is whimsical and nostalgic, but with quirky and green elements that reflect our need for beauty, sustainability and security. With more time on our hands, we’re taking up traditional skills and crafts including flower arranging, gardening, baking and pottery. Cottagecore design can work in any home, but if yours has interesting features, such as exposed beams, original floorboards or panelled walls (also a growing trend in its own right) these elements give your interior intrinsic cottagecore value.
JAPANDI
Japandi is a minimalist trend that’s all about clean lines and no clutter. With many homes at full capacity over the last 12 months, a light and spacious feel to our interiors is certainly an appealing vibe many of us have been craving. This trend is a fusion of east meets west, in which Scandinavian elements are teamed with the design traditions of Japan.
Japandi is the perfect trend for those who relish a bit of order – the organisational and functional element of the look creates a calming feel with its pared-back aesthetic, natural materials and muted shades, which make it a versatile trend for use in any room in your home. Natural motifs and textures also play a key role.
Stoneware and ceramics particularly symbolise this look, usually in organic shapes and colours, with a homemade vibe. Colours are muted in hues of grey and white, with plain walls, although wallpaper in earthy colours incorporating natural prints also embodies the trend.
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Biophilia describes design and architecture that focuses on our innate human connection with nature. It’s all about bringing the outdoors in and taking the indoors out. Outdoor space has become a key part of any home as we spend more time enjoying nature. We are also demanding more of our gardens throughout all the seasons. Our outdoor areas are extensions of our living space, providing us with places where we can relax and switch off, with the possibility of remaining social. Flexible soft seating, outdoor kitchens and heating provision, along with some form of all-weather shelter, will all ensure we can use our outside space all year round.
Caring for lush houseplants keeps us in touch with nature. Greenery is said to promote feelings of calm, as well as purify the air, filtering out pollutants and releasing oxygen. Choose either large plants for a bold feature, or a throng of smaller ones.
Green walls in earthy, organic hues such as olive and sage are very on trend. Science shows that just looking at something green can slow the heart rate and reduce stress, so from a mental and a physical wellbeing standpoint, biophilic design won’t be disappearing from our homes any time soon.
FLEXIBLE SPACES
For many of us, working from home is looking like a permanent fixture, even if it’s on a part-time basis. Living and working in the same space isn’t easy. Multi-purpose furniture is ideal for creating versatile spaces. Fit a wall-bed in your guest bedroom and a desk with bespoke storage and you’ve created two rooms in one.
As you’d expect, this year’s garden trends are reflecting those indoors. In the same way that today’s homes now have to multitask, so too do our gardens. Garden offices and studios have become immensely popular, further reflecting the importance of our outdoor spaces.
HAPPINESS ON DISPLAY
Spending so much time at home has made us survey our living spaces and create new areas for new activities. Likewise, it’s made us examine the aesthetics of our homes and consider the updates we’d like to make – those which will make us feel positive and good about ourselves. Sometimes all we need to boost our mood are little reminders of what makes us happy. Surrounding ourselves with things that make us smile can have a huge impact on how we feel – whether it’s a gallery of wall art, treasured trinkets or a windowsill of herbs and succulents.
There is something comforting about arranging selected treasures, reviewing them and adding new elements into the mix. Depending on what you’re displaying, floating shelves can be an ideal way of showing off your accessories, and a thoughtfully curated shelf makes for the model Zoom backdrop!
At Hartleys we’re good at creating bespoke furniture which will achieve the versatility you’re looking for in your home. Our multipurpose designs will optimise your interiors, such as our wall-beds and fitted window seats, creating more space for living and storage provision, and ultimately making your home a more organised and harmonious environment to live in.
If you’d like to speak to us about your fitted furniture plans, we’d love to hear from you on 01756 700471 or via our website at: hartleysbedrooms.co.uk
