When moving into a new home, one of your first priorities will be to put your stamp on it by injecting your own style or personality.
It’s one of the great joys of buying a property.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s an apartment, condo or house, it’s natural to want to give it a personal touch.
Design trends change like the direction of the wind, of course, but they’re a great guide for helping you decide an approach.
Be aware that colours can date your renovation faster than just about anything else. A red kitchen, for example, is “so five years ago”.
Black has been in vogue for a few years, including for benchtops and tapware in kitchens and bathrooms. In a couple of years, we will be able to date those improvements to around 2022-2025.
Sometimes, it’s a smart play to take the timeless route, like a classic white bathroom, or a kitchen of neutral colours and timber textures.
If you intend to sell again in a couple of years, neutrals are your best choice because those homes tend to attract the most buyer interest.
If you’re intending to stay in place, you can give yourself more latitude.
Here are some of the favourite approaches interior design for this year:
Warmer, vibrant colours: Whites and creams are losing out to warmer tones, especially with the return of beige. Richer hues, such as brown and burgundy, haven’t been a favourite since the 80s but are making a comeback.
Colours as accents: Use the above colours for accent pillows, throws, rugs and decorative shelving.
Shed light: It’s amazing how you can improve your home with great lighting. If your budget will stretch, consider hiring a lighting designer to give you a perfect balance between decorative and functional lighting, especially in living areas and the kitchen.
Four-lamp rule: Have you heard of this? In your living area, consider putting a lamp with a white shade in each corner.
Bring nature indoors: Natural tones as accents for living areas and bedrooms are becoming popular. Think wood, rattan and jute, as they add depth to any space. Houseplants continue to be popular, especially for the living areas and bathrooms.
Cosy up the bedrooms: Don’t be afraid to incorporate floor rugs and throws. Duvets of jewel tones are becoming increasingly popular with interior designers. With winter coming on, be bold and cosy.
Small and Engaging: The pendulum swings back and forth on whether you should have a statement painting in a room or opt for small pieces that fill a wall. For 2025, designers favour small art, saying the approach makes a room more engaging. Vintage books and vases are back, too, as they add nostalgia and personality.