Shades of espresso for the living room teamed with 3D wallpapers and bright colourful cushions in a pastel background are evolving as the new decor trends and breaking the monotony. By Ayushi Sharma
Plenty of opulence and luxury is a part of people’s homes today. With accents like wallpaper, paintings and even vibrant tiles, people are ensuring that the space they inhabit has a character and more importantly, their personality. In fact, with growing accessibility, home decor is not static but seasonal with the house-proud redoing their interiors continuously. And now that technology is in play, it is as easy to put together a look for your home as it is to change clothes. Experts share some of the current trends, a heady mix of colour and quirk.
Tweak your decor
Decor is something which emanates from within and is about the individual imagination. Picture resting under the cool shade of a tree after a busy day at work, with the breeze calming you down. It may not be easy to find solace in the concrete jungle but you can bring nature in your home with nature-inspired 3D wallpapers for the living area, suggests Ankur Shingal, founder of Ansavv. He feels that the underlying principle must be to never get influenced by others, and in fact, express yourself freely and create something which defines you. Wallpapers and wall art have made a huge comeback in the past few years and are still much in vogue. The most popular are the ones which let you enjoy the vibe and beauty of nature. “They are a perfect means to incorporate something new into the existing decor. Experimenting with it is like breaking the monotony or giving a character to your space,” says Shingal.
There are numerous options available for both wall art and wallpapers to suit all pockets. So one doesn’t need to be too ostentatious to decorate the space. Moreover, abstracts — be it in any form — paintings, artefacts, upholstery designs or lights —are favoured today,” he shares.
Anika Mittal Dhawan, founder and director of Mold Design Studio, says that the most popular emerging trend is that of usage of metal, be it in artworks, installations, furniture, lighting or hardware. Bronze, brass, rose gold and copper have been particularly dominating in combinations with wood. Marble and glass, of course, create some impressive products.
Increasingly, fusion involves natural materials, aimed at creating more intimate and welcoming spaces, shares Puja Mathur, interior designer, Arcadia Design.
Everything from curved sofas, palm imagery, mixed up furniture to boucle and bold primary shades are in style. “Boucle has the capacity to turn a drab piece into a fab one and how could nature in the home ever go wrong? Palm imagery offers natural beauty at its peak. Gone are the days of matchy-matchy look. Mixing up pieces from various periods and also your family heirlooms are considered majestic and when it comes to curved sofas they are here to stay, feels Lokendra Ranawat, founder and CEO of WoodenStreet.
From the box of crayons
The palette is decidedly bright. “Vibrancy can never go out of fashion,” feels Saniya Kantawala, founder and principal designer of SKD. However, she says that the tonality is mute. Cinnamon, espresso, deep browns and nude tints have gained extreme popularity in the last few years. One can play with shades of the same colour in a variety of ways. Instead of looking overpowering or dominating, they offer a very subtle and refined look. “Complementing them with dusty pinks and greys as well as textures for furniture and other fabrics such as sofa cushions and upholstery add a sense of warmth to the space,” she says.
While Shingal agrees with Kantawala on the point that light and subdued colours are not the only grammar, Mathur and Dhawan believe we’re seeing a much more subtle use of colours with multiple contrasts. “Bright warm shades in different hues — green, blue, pink, teal, yellow and mauve — are defining spaces in a rich manner, making them the classier options these days,” says Shingal whereas Mathur points put towards green. “It is becoming the most favoured shade, with combinations like almond-green, yellow-green and fir-green. Another one that finds a strong presence is white, in a softer form. Pairing of whites and wooden finishes is more commonplace as people look to find connections with nature through colours, with lighter and airier interiors,” says she.
This year has seen versatility in shades. But Ranawat suggests that espresso grey, beige and off-white with a pop of blue or green are a perfect accent. He says, “While nature is always in, the earthy textures, warm brown and olive gold dominates the palette.”
Warm tones often create the mood and the atmospheric scheme within the homes. Gold, ochre, spiced red and orange are used to bring a sense of tranquility and comfort.
A cheerful styling for interiors through colours transfigures the way of living. Studies show that the use of colours in a space can affect the mood and energy levels of people. Lighter colours make spaces look larger, while darker ones lend them a cosy, confined feeling,” says Dhawan.
The festive look
In times of a stressed economy, you do not have to burn a hole in your pocket to redo your home. Incorporating a few elements here and there can pep up your spaces. Paper bags are easily available in abundance at homes. You can recycle these in order to create exotic lanterns. While Shingal recommends that lighting elements are the perfect accessory for your homes — be it chandeliers, lanterns or floor lamps — Dhawan and Mathur suggest bright cushions, upholstery, a few indoor plants, lampshades and paintings. Ranawat suggests an overload of bamboo shoots and bonsai plants to create little dots of nature.
Diwali can easily become an experiment with lights. “Yes, there are hand-made diyas always. Exclusive and bejewelled candle-holders, pendant lights as well as decorations can be wrapped around plants, foliage, even alcoves and bannisters. If you prefer minimalist home decor, embellish your space with a lot of metal hurricane lanterns sculpted along geometric lines,” says Kantawala.
