Discover House & Home’s Top 10 Design Trends For 2020
What does design look like in this new decade? If we pay attention to how we consume, think about sustainability in everything we do and support local retailers, then we can continue to decorate to the nines! Conscious consumption is our new guilty pleasure in 2020. From sustainable design to stacked silhouettes, click through for House & Home’s top 10 design trends we can’t get enough of.
Sustainable Design
It used to be enough for brands to describe themselves as “green.” But in today’s hyperawareness of environmental issues, that just won’t cut it. Transparency is the new watchword, so expect brands to tell you if the wood they’re using is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, how much waste has been recycled into their rugs and how they’re offsetting their carbon footprint. Big-name designers are getting in on the act, and new techniques and materials mean that style doesn’t have to be sacrificed for sustainability.
Arts & Crafts Revival
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful,” said William Morris in 1880. In 2020, we’re returning to this notion with carefully chosen pieces that speak to a decorative design moment. William Morris prints play nicely with today’s curvy silhouettes, and designers like Kelly Wearstler are channelling the look in their latest projects. Check out Kelly’s much Instagrammed Santa Monica Proper hotel for a modern take on classic Arts & Crafts style.
Stacked Silhouettes
From vases to light fixtures, stacked is where it’s at. Though some of these pieces are functional, their sculptural shapes mean they can double as art. Made of natural elements such as alabaster, stone and wood, some are rustic and some, refined — but they all have a quiet zen quality that’s tranquil and appealing.
The New Mix
This year’s take on transitional style is classic and sophisticated. Opposites attract when you pair a trad envelope with sexy, low-slung shapes in sumptuous textures. Designed by Athena Calderone of lifestyle blog EyeSwoon, this Brooklyn living room exudes a Continental feel, proving you don’t have to throw out your grandma’s antiques to get a fresh European look.
Going Green
Our current color cravings are inspired by nature. We’re forest bathing inside with fresh grassy hues, verdant natural textures and botanical prints that soothe our frazzled souls. But this is no matchy-matchy monochromania: the more shades of green, the better.
The ‘It’ Chairs
Two iconic chairs are back in focus for 2020. First up is the Capitol Complex (left). This perch was designed in 1951 by Le Corbusier’s cousin and collaborator, Pierre Jeanneret for India’s utopian Chandigarh project. A sure sign of its growing popularity: we’re already seeing copycats on Etsy and France & Søn. Equally striking, the Standard chair (right) was created by French design darling Jean Prouvé in 1934. Tubular steel front legs and sturdier, aircraft-inspired rear legs combine to bring a sleek industrial flavor to rooms.
Throwback Florals
The new take on floral fabrics and wallpapers is surprisingly old-fashioned — we haven’t seen delicate, small-scale prints like these since the Laura Ashley–1980s. With a decidedly vintage vibe, these prints are often paired with an eclectic mix of modern and antique pieces for an effect that’s fresh and pretty, and never over the hill.
Maximalism
For years, the cult of pared-back Scandi style saw no sign of waning, with fans of this look almost evangelical in their devotion. Well, it’s time for minimalism to take a back seat — the decorated look is back. It’s about going all out with layers of fabric, tassels and trim, and embracing color and mixing prints. Hang that drapery, roll out those rugs and pile up your sofas with pillows galore: more is more again!
Plush Everything
Inspired by the art of hygge and cocooning, this trend is a refined and more contemporary take on the far-out decorating of the 1970s. From corduroy blazers to velvet sofas, we’re craving luxurious textures, plush accessories and the simple pleasure of a soft pile between our toes. Bay Area design firm Chroma brought all those elements to this mid-century house in San Francisco, after the homeowners asked for a reimagined version of 1970s style.
Pale Wood
The next phase of our love affair with all things natural has pale wood showing up on everything from kitchen islands to light fixtures. Case in point: Danish brand Mater turns sustainably sourced oak into sculptural chairs and dining tables. Meanwhile, Philippe Starck has reimagined Kartell’s iconic plastic designs with his Woody collection, and Vancouver’s Union Wood Co. just launched their first-ever handcrafted wood collection for commercial spaces.
