At the latest Imm Cologne (the international furnishing show), design experts outlined the interior decoration trends for 2011. The main principles stem from the need to rethink the way we live, the importance of comfort for each of us, our interest in innovation and the need to personalise our surroundings.
Today’s consumers want to show what makes them unique by choosing home accessories that express who they are, without giving in to the “marketing onslaught” of furniture flooding the market.
At the same time, the global economic downturn has pushed people to rethink what is necessary and what is not, and, in the spirit of not throwing things away, has led interior designers to “allow” vintage and retro elements to coexist harmoniously in modern spaces.
The Interior Trends 2011 publication analyses the patterns that will dominate the year. On this basis, designers are now turning to stricter forms with simple lines, trying out new shapes and materials in their creations. Sharp angles and folding furniture will characterise the designs of 2011.
The colours we will “encounter” are mostly earthy shades of grey and black, combined with touches of yellow and orange.
To add to the comfort and intimacy of the space, manufacturers will present decorative proposals this year featuring traditional tribal elements and colours, as well as natural materials.
More specifically, wood and leather will make their presence felt more strongly, while glass and metal will be incorporated into plastic frames, creating distinctive surfaces.
While colour on the walls is the easiest way to add a distinctive touch to a room, wallpapers and murals with an emphasis on detail and a “hand-painted” look will continue to have a strong presence this year too.
Overall, the aim is for design to fit more “functionally” into our everyday lives, with new “natural” elements and more classic structures.
