Fashion trends don’t just influence the way we dress; they can also be a great source of inspiration when designing our spaces. From colour and texture to patterns and prints, some of the most notable trends in fashion have dictated the shades we choose for our walls and gone on to influence the overall look and feel of our interiors.
Here are the recent trends that have made it from runway to room and how you can incorporate them into your own spaces.
COLOUR BLOCKING
The Pantone Colour of the Year often dictates the tones and hues that will grace the runways, and this filters down to interiors, too. Colour blocking has been big in fashion since the ‘60s, when it was popularised by Mod trendsetters like Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy.
The most recent iteration of colour blocking to hit the runways is ‘dopamine dressing’, a Y2K-inspired trend that puts emphasis on bright, bold colours to uplift the mood. Basically, it’s colour-blocking on steroids. This trend has influenced everything from fashion to couches to accent walls and is a great way to inject some playful personality into your spaces.
“There are endless ways to be creative with colour blocking, from using paint to create the impression of architectural details where they are lacking, to using paint to create areas of design interest more akin to modern art than a decoration scheme,” said designer Andy Greenwall in conversation with Living etc.
Scatter cushion with garden print 60x60cm, @home
Rialheim medium cow skull in black 17cm, @home
Handblown glass vase with wave lines in green, @home
Aluminium knot ornament 14cm, @home
Kuta wo pendant black and natural, @home
Adele office chair in grey, @home
Zeta ottoman in velvet, @home
FLORALS
Florals are often associated with outdated lounge suites and wallpaper – an aesthetic that could be described as ‘granny chic’. A staple for most summer womenswear collections, florals can range from botanical graphics to feminine and seductive roses, as well as humble interior interpretations and charming sketched designs.
The key here is to use florals sparingly, and with intent. If floral prints aren’t your thing, botanical wallpaper is a subtle way to embrace the trend without giving too much of a romantic or whimsical feel to your space. Aim to match one pattern with soft furnishings, such as curtains and scatters for a harmonious aesthetic.
This also applies to pillows, blankets, tablecloths, vases and lamps. Another pro style tip is to pair solid and masculine geometric designs with more feminine floral prints. Up the luxe factor with gold or silver ornaments and ensure the rest of your decorations complement your focal item well.
ANIMAL PRINT
If done right, animal print can score major style points. While head-to-toe leopard print was a major theme in Dolce and Gabbana’s spring/summer 2023 collection (co-designed by Kim Kardashian) it doesn’t necessarily translate well into interiors. Too much animal print, and you could end up with a space that’s more ‘Cruella de Vil’ than ‘luxury pad’.
Due to its bold, unexpected nature, animal print can make a formal, staid space feel lively and fun. If you want to embrace the trend but are struggling to find the happy medium between tacky and timeless, limit animal print to accent pieces that can be easily swapped out (no more wall-to-wall wallpapering!).
If traditional animal print isn’t your scene, you can still give a nod to the trend while keeping things pared-back. A leopard print ottoman in navy blue, for example, will draw the eye and lend a contemporary edge without overpowering the rest of the room.
(FAUX) SHEARLING AND SHEEPSKIN
This trend was a standout feature of the leather aviator-style jackets that were so popular in the 1970s. Functional and stylish, what’s not to love? With so many of us spending more time than ever at home, comfort has become the key driver of many current fashion trends – as seen in Miu Miu’s autumn/winter collection at Paris Fashion Week last year.
Similar in texture is bouclé. Ecru-coloured bouclé furniture has wormed its way into every corner of the Internet. Faux shag and flokati rugs and throws offer a cost-effective way to embrace the trend, and can make any space feel cosy and lived in.
MONOCHROMATIC MINIMALISM
Japanese and Scandinavian style is synonymous with minimalism, so it makes sense that the two trends would be combined to form a distinct decor aesthetic: ‘Japandi’. Dominated by neutral colours, clean, straight lines and natural fabrics, this East-meets-West permeates into more than just the look and feel of a home.
“This design style and principles truly supported a healthy meaningful lifestyle,” said designer Shanty Wijaya, in an interview with design bible Architectural Digest. “It teaches us to find beauty in imperfection, form deep connections to the earth and nature, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.”
Less is definitely more to nail this trend, so keep accessories to a minimum. While minimalist decor is modern and sophisticated, it can run the risk of appearing clinical and cold. To counteract that, think of ways to incorporate tactile materials, such as a jute rug, rattan tableware and lighting, and warm wood furnishings.
One of the great things about this trend is you can afford to spend a little more on the bigger pieces that’ll really help to anchor the room.
PASTEL TONES
Ever since the term ‘Millennial Pink’ was first coined by journalist Véronique Hyland in a 2016 essay for New York Magazine’s women’s lifestyle publication The Cut, pretty pastel shades have continued to conquer the runways and infiltrate homes around the globe.
Pale pink and salmon shades, really pop when paired with moody emerald green. This winning combo doesn’t have to be showy – it could be as simple as positioning a dirty-pink chair alongside a majestic, lush house-plant, such as a fiddle-leaf fig or delicious monster.
VELVET
Once a textile heavily associated with those familiar sunken lounge suites from the ’70s (shudder), velvet has, in recent years, received a rather sophisticated update. In the fashion world, there’s been a growing interest in fabrics and materials that offer tactility, with textures and surfaces that have a sensorial quality.
Velvet – Barbie-pink crushed velvet, in particular – was a key feature in Versace’s Resort Collection from earlier this year. You could go as far as reupholstering your entire couch with it, but if you’re not feeling that bold, opt for scatters and throws in moody, wintery jewel tones like sapphire, amethyst, ruby or emerald. Due to their depth, these colours add interest without feeling excessively bright or overwhelming. Bonus? They ooze luxury and sophistication.
Words by Emma Follett-Botha
Photography: Future Publishing Ltd, Gem( Images, Supplied)
