Home truths: interiors trends 2018

From jewel tones to muted paint-colours, there’s something for everyone in the latest interiors trends for 2018. What’s more, it’s never been easier to update your home with the new key looks.

Jewel in the crown

Coco chair in Seduction, from Sofa Workshop

It’s time to go bold and banish the grey – the latest colours for the home are vibrant and rich. When it comes to furniture – such as sofas and statement chairs – it’s all about gem shades to give a shot of colour. Sofa Workshop’s Coco Chair, for instance, comes in the appealing-sounding Seduction: a shimmering emerald green. It works gloriously with Andrew Martin’s vivid velvet cushions, choose from zingy orange, bright pink or peacock.

Andrew Martin’s Pelham Clementine Cushion with White Piping

You don’t have to buy something new to have impact. Consider re-upholstering a favourite piece of furniture in one of Vanessa Arbuthnott’s velvets, which come in the most dreamy colours, such as mustard, marigold and cornflower blue.

Vanessa Arbuthnott’s velvet range of fabrics

From turquoise glass vases to brightly woven rugs, Kaleidoscope has tapped into the trend for its new season collection. Lucy McGilvray, homes’ expert at the company, comments: “Jewel tones are a great way to bring the wow factor and add some sparkle into your living space in an inexpensive yet impactful way.”

VITA Copenhagen’s Asteria light in Petrol

The trend isn’t all about bold, flamboyant touches, however. Even lovers of minimalism can give a nod to the theme in the smallest ways. In an all-white kitchen, for instance, you can add a talking point with a beautifully-crafted statement pendant, such as Vita Copenhagen’s Asteria. This hovering halo light, with inbuilt LED lights, is sleek and architectural, and available in a range of bright hues, such as saffron yellow, ruby red and petrol blue.

How to be bold

Eleni Portch, owner of Nisi Living, an online homewares boutique, gives her three tips

Nisi Living

Be brave and transform a bedroom by painting the walls and ceilings in a rich amethyst tone. It will be totally cocooning. Add luxurious throws and copper accents to make the room feel truly decadent.

If you’re not sure about painting a whole room in a bold colour, then opt for a statement piece of furniture, like a velvet sofa, in a rich fabric, and add clashing jewel-coloured cushions for an opulent finish.

A quick and easy way to brighten up a space is to display an eclectic mix of primary-coloured glassware – they will look beautiful placed on a console table beside a window so the light shines through the glass.

Light and dark

Long gone are the days of ‘Natural Hessian’ being the neutral paint colour of choice. We’ve also moved on from the myriad shades of grey we’ve all gone mad for over the past few years. Instead, there’s a whole new palette of warmer tones which look fresh and modern. Soft ice-cream shades, such as chalky whites, pastel pinks and ‘dirty’ lilacs, give a pretty effect, and call to mind a Miami vibe.

Benjamin Moore’s Pleasant Pink on walls

Helen Shaw, marketing director at paint specialists Benjamin Moore UK, gives her expert view:“The best way to use a pale palette is to ensure that the tones you use aren’t ‘weak’, they must be a strong neutral that is able to sit beautifully against any darker tones throughout the home. The trend for integrating more textures within our interior schemes also lends itself beautifully to a paler palette.”

Light and Dark range from Paint and Paper Library

The Paint and Paper Library has long understood the importance of contrasting tones: “Use mid-strength colours at opposite ends of the spectrum to create a strong, contemporary contrast of light and dark tones,” says marketing director Ruth Mottershead. “The contrast of light and dark within this combination create a gentle tension within the scheme.”

Amtico Spacia Scorched Timber flooring

These softer new neutrals also work particularly well against glamourous dark woods – especially when it comes to flooring. Amtico’s Scorched Timber, for instance, looks aged and if it was salvaged from a period mansion – but is made contemporary when contrasted with a pastel wall.

Kersaint Cobb Oak Antique flooring

“Dark woods add a feeling of warmth and depth to a room,” says Jenna Kane, marketing manager at flooring company Kersaint Cobb. ”Rustic oak flooring has become increasingly popular over recent months, with customers embracing the simplicity and natural beauty of the darker tones available – many of which give a vintage feel.”

Brintons’ new neutrals carpets

For those who won’t be swayed from carpet underfoot, don’t worry – Brintons’ ‘New Neutrals’ range of muted colours is just the thing to give a timeless finish and keep a room cosy and warm.

The artisan traveller

Weaver Green’s Nomad Taurus Rug

Travel has always had an influence on interior trends, and this spring is no exception. With a mission to help save the planet, Weaver Green’s handwoven rugs and textiles are all made from recycled plastic bottles. Not that you’d know it – the Nomad collection of footstools, rugs and cushions boast rich earthy colours, and look like they been sourced from a souk in the Middle East.

Andrew Martin’s Amina Rug

Handwoven for more than 1,000 years in Morocco, Berber Rugs were traditionally made by the women of Beni Ouarain tribe and are an enduring classic. Check out Andrew Martin’s versions, which have been hand-knotted by the finest craftsmen.

Mwanamizi Bowl at OKA

Originally inspired by ancient designs from the Far East, Oka has long been a go-to for eclectic finds for the home and offers a wide range of Indian throws, Chinese bowls and Japanese urns, guaranteed to add interest. “Throws and cushions with bold, globally inspired prints are a fantastic way to add a splash of colour to a neutral sofa or armchair,” says Giselle Mannering, Oka’s head of Interior Design.

Brissi’s Seychelles Cushion

It’s important to keep things simple when it comes to the trend. Reflect it with a few carefully-chosen accessories, such as Brissi’s vibrant Seychelles and Maldives exotic-print cushions, Made + Good’s ceramic cups and bowls, and the woven hanging baskets at Handpicked by Kate.

Made+Good Ceramic cups and bowls

Handpicked by Kate’s Ondine Ash hanging basket, indigo stripe

Wabi-sabi

The Japanese art of beauty in imperfections may be an ancient philosophy, rooted in Buddhism, about accepting the imperfect and transient nature of life – but it is also being reflected in our homes.

Sheridan Australia’s Jarrett bed linen set

Sheridan Australia’s watercolour print bed-linen is casually pretty. “The ancient Japanese worldview centres on impermanence and imperfection,” says the brand. “A simple way to achieve the wabi-sabi look is through an imperfectly made bed, which lends a relaxed air to your bedroom. Limit the colour palette to one or two shades to avoid the look becoming too messy.”

Chopstix Light from Christopher Wray

You can also achieve it with irregularly-shaped handmade crockery, stacks of well-thumbed books and non-symmetrical lighting, such as Christopher Wray’s Chopstix pendant. It’s all about embracing those well-loved and imperfect things which have meaning, to gain a feeling of wholesome satisfaction.

EDITOR’S PICKS: My top ten items which are perfectly on trend