2016 Home Trends: What Can We Expect?

If redecorating was one of your New Year resolutions, you’ve picked a great time. More than ever, we have access to wealth of ideas that can inspire our own interior design choices. Whether you’re active on sites like Pinterest or Tumblr, or simply exploring various designs on a blog, home designers are able to convey their ideas with clarity and give us a beautiful standard to strive for.

Not only this, but it gives us an idea of what trends will be popular in 2016. Social activity, such as likes, loves, shares, retweets and all other manner of expressions provide us with insight into to the tastemakers of 2016, as well as what trends are resonating with audiences so far this year. So what can we expect?

Clever Storage

Most of us know the pains of living in compact quarters, so we are forced to come with innovative, if not sloppy, storage solutions. Nowadays, designers are finding ways to incorporate furnishings with as much storage potential as possible. Sofas and tables with multiple compartments are common space savers, whilst also highly practical for everyday living.

One innovative approach was thought up by designers Kim Bobin and Ko Kyungen, and has been dubbed the Blindry. The product functions as regular blinds, but also folds outwards from a window fixture to become a drying rack. This is just one example of the simple, yet effective home product design that will be popular in 2016; anywhere you can buy contemporary furniture online should offer at least one multifunctional product.

Home Technologies

The integration of consumer electronics into our everyday lives at this point sets a precedent for a similar revolution in our homes. Whether it’s for the purposes of entertainment, security, or just easier living, our technologies are becoming more and more integrated with each other, making their use in a home environment much more likely.

The most common point of integration for these technologies will be our smartphones. So far, our phones have so far been the most popular control-point for existing major home technologies, such as NFC for locking and opening a front door or controlling room temperature via an application. Existing platforms such as PC’s and tablets are the next most utilised, but what form these systems will take in 2016 will depend on the next big technology trends; keep a close eye on those smartwatches!

Recycled Objects

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure as the saying goes. This stands true in the world of home decor, with designers looking to utilise everyday objects for practical use in a variety of innovative ways. For those who love crafts, the idea alone will be highly appealing, as it will also be to eco-warriors looking to curb wastage and recycle products.

That pile of old clothing you’ve been wanting to get rid of? Why not turn it into a comfy throw, a pillow-case, or even an abstract multi-textured piece of wall art. There’s plenty of inspiration for these kind of DIY projects online, so if you’re looking to boost your green credentials and bag yourself a unique, lovingly hand-crafted home product in the process, go get researching.

Better Beds

Everyone sleeps differently, so why should we all have the same kind of bed? 2015 brought us a huge range of innovative solutions for our sleeping setups, whether you’re incapacitated, or simply love the luxury of a soft mattress, getting your sleeping situation sorted should be a priority. 2015 also saw the rise of designer beds, such as Sleigh beds and Four Poster beds, and we can expect this trend to continue throughout the year.

Most people just need more comfort and support when they sleep, which is why I would recommended the Tempur range of mattresses and toppers; these famous bedding products were developed by NASA to support astronauts during spaceflight, so provided you don’t live next to a Launchpad, you’ll be guaranteed a comfortable night’s sleep.

Industrial Metallic

Industrial and metallic are somewhat contrasting looks, but are born from the same concept so I thought it would be best to include them both as one trend. The difference is in the appearance; metallic objects are usually reflective and consist of clean golds, silvers and coppers, whilst the industrial style is often much more worn, consisting of washed-out metallic grays akin to a warehouse.

This helps create a sense of mechanical purpose and strength in industrial design, whilst metallic design is made to appear much more delicate. Metallic design grew significantly in popularity over the course of 2015. Not only does it create a sophisticated design aesthetic, but it also reflects light around a home environment making it appear brighter, bigger, and more beautiful than ever.