What’s Hot, What’s Not. Decor Insights From The Insiders.

By Urban Ladder . March 14, 2017 .

Are you planning to renovate your home this year? To finally get that drool-worthy, straight-out-of-a-magazine space you’ve always dreamed of? We have good news. We’ve caught up with our interior design partners to compile some insights on what decor trends are in this year.

“This year is going to be the year of eclectic decor”, says Soniya Jandwani Baveja of Design Xplore. “So your number one rule is: there are no rules!” Let your creativity flow and create spaces that speak volumes about you, the homeowner. We’re here just to make sure you don’t get too carried away.

Print in trend

Bold geometric prints, vibrant tropical prints, and different textures create an eclectic set up that dreams are made of. Self designs can also be seen on curtains and throws. For those of you who prefer a more Indian, yet contemporary look, “Ikat is a beautiful Indian design I’m seeing on curtains and cushions”, says Saumya Aymuas who runs The Aymuas Project.

Colour in trend

“While I favour neutral colour palettes and textures for walls, blue and green hues are making a big comeback,” says Shraddha of Shraddha Sodha Interiors and Artistry. The Pantone colour of the year, Greenery, will be seen dominating home decor this season. So you now have the perfect excuse to go green. Light hues of blues, greys, and whites accented with brighter colours will be seen all over the home.

Wall in trend

On walls, we’re seeing a lot of textures. “Wall stickers are ideal for the commitment phobic. You can simply remove them if you get bored. They’re super affordable and an interesting way to amp up your space,” says Saumya.

Material in trend

Wood is evergreen and will never go out of style. Other than that, terracotta, iron, brass and copper are also in vogue. Cane - which was used mainly for outdoor or patio furniture - is also making a comeback in a big way, perhaps in combination with solid wood. “My go to word this year is tactile - combining opposite-natured materials to create a whole new feel. I'm also rooting for cork to make it big this year.” says Shraddha.

Seating in trend

This year, we’ll be seeing a lot more wood and a lot less plush in seating. Scandinavian designs that are compact, lightweight, and at the same time durable and comfortable. According to Saumya, “People are becoming more aware that furniture is a long term investment and they look for good quality, durable furniture. They want furniture they can move easily if they want to shift homes. They are also becoming increasingly conscious about the environment. So furniture that meets these criteria is making its mark this year,” We recommend minimal, compact, yet cosy loungers as go-to seating..

Sleeping in trend

Bedrooms are getting a plush upgrade. “Upholstered beds in contemporary designs are in,” says Saumya. With apartments becoming smaller and lack of space becoming a constant concern, beds with storage will also never go out of style.

Kitchen in trend

Kitchens are very personal spaces and need to be designed to the needs of those who use them. This is why we think modular kitchens with personalisable details will remain in high demand. Modern Indian homes usually have a small kitchen area, so the aim is to make it look as open and airy as possible. The key is to use a lot of light colours like steel grey, white, matte greys, and blacks with bright accent colours like orange, yellow, or green thrown in. “It would be interesting to be able to reverse the materials we think apply to a certain surface. It would surely be deviating from the cliches of kitchen design,” says Shraddha.

Wardrobe in trend

You can never have enough storage space. The trend this season, however, is plenty of discreet storage space. Sliding shutters are ideal especially in smaller rooms. Look out for more ergonomic fittings and partitions that help increase the practicality of wardrobes.

You can also check out customisable wardrobes to suit your storage needs.

“I personally feel that wardrobes are the most neglected piece of furniture. Cupboards with a lot more hanging space is what I’m hoping to see this season. When hung up, the garments can be seen clearly and they take up much less space than when you fold it up. So I’d vote for a lot of hanging space with a few drawers for your socks and/or lingerie.” says Saumya.

Dining in trend

“I’m doing decor for a home, where I’m using a dining table with 6 different kind of chairs but in the same colour scheme”, says Soniya. So this year the forecast is not going to be matchy-matchy but different elements coming together in an eclectic setup.

Some more tips to get you started:

Every time you travel, pick up something for your home. It could be a small travel souvenir, a magnet or even a photograph that you can frame and display. It adds personality and charm to your home.
Upcycle. Do not throw away anything that can be salvaged and reworked to create something beautiful.
Accessorize. Any space can be lit up with bright cushions and throws, the added bonus being that they are affordable and can be changed from time to time to suit your mood.