Top 10 Interior Design Trends Predicted to be Hot in 2020
Every year kicks off with designers and influencers sharing their predictions for what will be hot in interior decoration and design in the year ahead. This year is a biggie. It’s the start of a new decade, the roaring twenties of the 21st century. Now, not everyone looks into the same crystal ball. What’s hot for one interior designer will be cold for the next. With so many conflicting forecasts for interior design trends, it’s hard to know what to do. But it’s not.
Here’s why it’s easier than you thought! Find the trends that appeal to you and forget the rest – or let us do the homework. We’ve scoured the predictions and narrowed them down to a list of 10 interior design trends for 2020.
In no particular order, here are our top 10 interior design trends predicted for 2020…
1. Cane
It was hot in the 70s and now it’s back 50 years later, and no longer relegated to your grandmother’s screened-in porch. We couldn’t be happier. Cane or Vienna Wicker has been showing up in furniture, wall panels and other design elements. Previews of spring 2020 collections at this year’s furniture shows indicate there’s much more to come.
[image via Apartment Therapy]
A brief history: over 150 years ago, Michael Thonet introduced the classic and iconic no. 14 chair, or the bistro chair, as we also know it. Do you recognize it in the image above? It has been a staple of interior design since the 1900s. Not to mention, I’m hoping that my husband will get on board with this trend (there’s been some resistance) as this chair is on my must-have list.
2. Black and White High Contrast Decor
High contrast black and white is dynamic. It’s timeless. And, it’s a great departure from white on white, on white – which interior design predictors are saying is so last decade. Look for it in statement flooring or if you’re not feeling like such a bold commitment, in art and accent pieces.
[image via Coco Lapine Design]
Most interior designers will tell you that although black and white is on trend for 2020, it’s nothing new. We’ve all been taught that even a little black anchors a space. You’ll just be seeing a little more this year.
3. Curves and Arches
We’ve seen arches on both the hot and not so hot interior design predictions for 2020. We say “hot”. In fact, you’ll see arches in curved doorways and windows. These arches are pared-down, smooth and clean-lined without ornate detailing, and oh so gorgeous.
[image via Coolican & Company]
If you’re not ready to go all out with structural changes at home, invest in an arched wall mirror. We were completely smitten with Coolican & Company’s minimal floor mirror last week at the Interior Design Show – as in, we cannot stop thinking about it!
4. Built-in Seating
Banquette seating and built-in kitchen nooks have been on trend for a few years. Now window-side perchs with a great view or cozy reading niches are stepping into the forefront. They are an excellent space-saving technique and add functionality to a space. Think of a nook by your front door to store boots and mitts with somewhere to sit while you put them on. Win. Win. And on-trend.
[image via Dwell]
My parents have a built-in window seat at their farm. It is one of my favourite places to sip my tea and watch the birds that flock to their feeders.
5. Dark Painted Doors
Now is the time to paint the back of your front door dark. Here are six reasons:
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- they add instant drama to any space
- dark doors make builder grade doors look more expensive
- they add balance to other black or dark decor in the room
- they conceal dirt
- dark doors make ceilings look taller
- they replace an accent wall
Plus, they are absolutely gorgeous, on-trend and add insta (and instant) wow!
[image via Nyla Free Design]
So, adios accent walls and hello painted doors! That’s not entirely true or fair. Accent walls will always have their place, you’ll just be seeing less of them and more of accent doors in 2020.
6. Fibre Art
We bet this one has you confused. Isn’t boho chic on it’s way out? Isn’t macrame over? Nope. Natural fibres are predicted to be on-trend in interior design in 2020. For several years, fibre artists have been showing their work at galleries and art fairs. 2020 is the year you’re going to see this type of art – intricately woven tapestries, elaborately knotted macramé pieces – featured in well-styled homes.
[image via The Dharma Door]
Full disclosure. I have been coveting the weavings produced for Dharma Door for a few years. It was very difficult not to indulge in retail therapy while sharing my predictions in this piece.
7. Green
It’s no surprise that green is forecasted to be big in 2020. Okay, we’re talking about the colour in this post. Stay tuned for our guide to sustainable home accessories (which is far more than just a trend) in another post. According to Dwell magazine, muted green tones – think olive or pistachio – are a “palpable” pop of colour for those of us who stick to neutrals.
[image via Emily Henderson]
For those truly colour averse, a plant will add a pop of green to a room. See trend prediction #9 for the new “it” plant.
8. Steel Window Inspired Wall Panels and Dividers
Steel doors and windows have been staging a comeback in interior and architectural design for a few years now. These are Crittall-style inspired and still manufactured by the Crittall Manufacturing Company since 1890. Now we’re seeing them used not just as windows and doors, but for extensions, room dividers and even shower screens. We’re obsessed.
[image via Living etc.]
Condo dwellers, we’re thinking of you! This is a perfect, and totally swoon worthy, solution for upgrading the builder grade sliding doors that often partition a bedroom in your living space.
9. Ficus Audrey
If you’ve struggled to keep your Fiddle-Leaf Fig alive, we’ve got great news for you! This year’s on-trend plant is its’ close and far less fickle cousin, the Ficus Audrey. The Ficus Audrey is a smaller, lower maintenance tree that fares okay in lower light and with inconsistent watering. Perfect for plant newbies.
[image via Houzz]
Ficus Audrey is also known as a Strangler Fig, a Banyan Tree, a Peepal, a Bahupada, or an Indian Banyan Tree. Also, we think Audrey is a pretty cute name – although it’s already stirred memories of Little Shop of Horrors.
10. Classicism
According to Rayman Boozer of Apartment 48, “Classicism is back! Busts and Grecian details add the perfect perspective to any contemporary vignette. Embrace these time-honoured elements but don’t take them too seriously—playfulness is the perfect final touch.” We couldn’t agree more!
[image via Fox Marin Associates]
Coming soon…a naming contest for the new busts that have joined our staging inventory!
Have Predictions for this Year’s Interior Design Trends?
There are so many other trends that are predicted to be hot that we just can’t get on board with – at least yet. Maximalism and Grand-millennial, we’re talking about you. These trends spoke to us. Don’t despair if they don’t speak to you and don’t despair if your interior design style has been declared off-trend. In fact, we’ve read that off-trend was the new trend!
What are your favourite trends? What trends make your skin crawl? Leave us a comment and let us know. We want to hear yours!
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This article is written by Kathy Mighton, Project Manager and Lead Designer here at Fox Marin Associates. She is FM Design’s creator of well-crafted spaces that inspire and impress! A true design enthusiast, there are not enough walls or surfaces in Kathy’s life to display all the art that she loves.
