Now that we’re into May, it feels like a great time to check in on what we’re seeing from some of our favorite designers and interior design trade shows, like Paris Déco Off, Maison & Objet, and the High Point Market.
Why?
First, because the trends that emerge from designers at these shows are often super inspiring when you’re looking for inspiration for refreshing or reinventing the design vibes of your favorite spaces. But also — on a more practical level — those trends tell you what you’ll soon be in stores and what will soon be available to work with in your home.
With an eye toward the power of upholstery fabrics to help you bring it all to life, today we’ll take a quick look at several inspiring themes we’re seeing, what’s to love about each, and how to get the look in your home or any favorite space. Stick around, there’s an interesting blend of nature, nostalgia, and artistic expression emerging we think you’ll love.
But first, elephants.
OK, elephants themselves aren’t becoming a “thing,” per se. But there’s an elephant in the room that’s for sure trending and may be on your mind as you make your way through these tips.
In short, the world’s a bit uncertain at the moment. So you may be wondering if this is a good time to be making updates to your home or office design vibe. (Which is a bummer because you’d really like to make some updates to your design vibe.)
We totally get it. But here at the largest upholstery fabric store online — in addition to offering a wide range of quality fabrics at great prices — we’ve got a couple of solutions:
- Dabble: When you spot a trend you like, you don’t have to go all-in to notice a difference. It’s like when you get a new pair of shoes, your outfit just feels different, right? The same is true with design. Just a little dab’ll do ya’ and can make a huge difference.
- DIY: You can do design upgrades cheaper by doing them yourself. And we just so happen to have a vast archive of DIY ideas, inspiration, and solutions. Plus, we have the gift of our partnership with Artisan Upholstery Studio’s Aimee Switkit walking you through a wide range of furniture upholstery DIY projects.
And just like that, you’re free to go about refreshing your vibe to your heart’s content regardless of the goings-on in the world. On to the trends…
Soulful Colors And Textures For Your Home Abound — Naturally
It’s not exactly a new shift, but the trend continues toward nature-inspired tones and rustic and organic materials. It’s no wonder High Point Market’s spring theme was “Cultivate.” They’re seeing people looking for something more soulful from their design decor, “pieces that tell stories, honor heritage, and connect them to something deeper than mere aesthetics.”
Metallic finishes are out and natural elements like plants, dried botanicals, and/or water features are in. Also, warm and versatile textures like wood are in as are warm and earthy neutrals and jewel tones for color foundations.
Get the look: Think tones/textures like a chaise sectional in amethyst textured velvet, echoing Cinnamon Slate, one Benjamin Moore’s colors of the year. Or something like a mocha brown microsuede, perfect for any foundational piece you’d like to update, and echoing Pantone’s Mocha Mousse.
Connect With Curves: Furniture That Softly Welcomes You In
Designers are still crushing hard on curved furniture. It’s got this modern but timeless thing going for it. The less imposing nature of the shapes look amazing aesthetically, but are also super functional and have a unique ability to encourage connection and soften the vibe of the space in a way that adds to an overall feeling of soulfulness.
Get the look: It’s not that you have to discard more angular pieces to embrace the trend. It’s more that you get to play with mixing in curved pieces as well. Perhaps crescent swivel chairs in earthy rust orange chenille, or a curvacious bedroom chaise lounge in ivory white boucle or slipper chair in muted petal pink velvet.
Use Bold Patterned Fabrics To Maximize Your Home’s Personality
There’s a big theme we’re noticing — or rather a bold theme. Paris Déco Off and celebrated a renaissance of bold patterns and a more maximalist approach to upholstery fabrics and textiles in general. It’s an approach that works for statement pieces or for entire spaces. Think bold stripes, fantastical and/or high contrast patterns, pottery-inspired prints, and even cow print faux animal hide fabrics. The impact infuses spaces with personality and energy.
Get the look: For a statement, you might take an otherwise neutral space and add armchairs in a warm but bold floral and avian print fabric in sage green and gold. Or for a slightly more audacious but still earthy approach, dress a sofa in a green striped eco-friendly fabric with throw pillows in a green woven floral pattern and an abstract foliage pattern, adding blackout curtains in garden path green.
How To Use Whimsy And Play To Elevate Your Home’s Design Style Vibe
Perhaps it’s simply a desire to create homes that feel like an escape from the world. But there’s decidedly a more playful and creative design approach emerging this year. Inspired by the centennial of Surrealism, Maison & Objet’s theme was “Sur/Reality.” The theme invites you to embrace a style that blends functionality with a fantastical vibe, the result can range from enchanting to glamorous and points between.
Get the look: Here we turn to patterns again. You can go with statement pieces in a really bold unexpected print like pecan brown cowhide pattern microsuede. Or do a full space in a more maximalist glam vibe with a sectional in grape purple faux silk and throw pillows in a purple abstract geometric pattern and a floral botanical print. Aim for an immersive feel and you’re on your way.
How (Re)using Well-Crafted Furniture Brings Your Unique Style Home
Helping spaces feel ever more personal and considered is the through-line of the colors, shapes, patterns, and approaches in the year’s trends so far. And your furniture offers a simple path to your own blend of nature, nostalgia, and artistic expression.
Get the look: It’s about choosing pieces — chairs, sofas, tables — that look substantive, look like someone had their hands on them bringing them to life. And making them your own. You can have professional artisans create bespoke pieces for you, of course. But — looking again to our friend Aimee — you can do it yourself.
Pick a well-crafted piece(s) you love that speaks to you, and then love it into something new by embracing the colors, patterns, and textures we’ve talked about. Like a sofa reborn in a textured burgundy damask or dining chairs reimagined in mist teal nicolette or curtains in classic and simple silver grey stripes.
And we’re here to help bring your favorite trends alive in your home or other favorite spaces. And we’re always on the lookout for what’s next, too. Give us a call today to get started.
Links:
largest
inspiration
walking you through
High Point Market’s
amethyst
Cinnamon Slate
mocha
Mocha Mousse
curved
rust
ivory
petal
avian
striped
floral
foliage
garden
cowhide
grape
geometric
botanical
Aimee
damask
mist
silver
here
call