2013 has been a fantastic year for furniture design – a year full of change and innovation, breaking away from tired templates and drawing on the past for inspiration. It has been a time for the antique to sit side by side with the contemporary, for familiar spaces to take on glamorous new looks and for classic white to make a big comeback. Alongside this, there have been hot new design trends making exhilarating use of pattern and high-end designer furniture has begun making its way into the humblest of homes. Decorating choices made in 2013 are likely to have real staying power and there’s still time to adopt one or more of these exciting new looks.
In
Bedrooms became much more luxurious in 2013 as high quality bedding became available at much lower prices. Beds themselves expanded to accommodate storage space, and other dual-purpose storage items like ottomans, made their way into the bedroom – part of a trend focused on making better use of small spaces.
In the living room
2013 saw living rooms becoming more individual and more about the personalities of their owners, with treasured old pieces of furniture taking their place alongside the latest fashions. Floral patterns and stripes were the big thing for sofa sets, and bringing in striking accent chairs brought quiet rooms to life. Metallic leather brought a sophisticated shine to classic furniture designs and there was a comeback for the rustic look, with furniture made from unvarnished wood or wickerwork.
In the dining room
Big dining tables were a hit this year. Oak and walnut returned in simple but elegant designs, while a glass dining table was the best choice for a modern look. Extending tables were a popular choice for smaller rooms. Brass trim gave contemporary furnishings a hint of old-fashioned glamour and copper and bronze were also popular colors.
In the kitchen
There was a lot of white in kitchens this year, from bleached floorboards to distressed, painted cupboards and dressers. An increased interest in cooking saw an increasingly sophisticated approach taken to ergonomic design and storage, as kitchens were expected to get more intensive use. The natural wooden look was also popular for both counter tops and kitchen chairs, and connected to a trend for solidity.
Looking forward
With 2013 showing a strong trend for patterns in both wall coverings and furniture fabrics, we can expect more of that in 2014, incorporating stronger colors as homeowners gain confidence. Curves are coming back in a big way so fashion fans should look out for circular sofas and round tables, while a trend for the Classical will see white marble busts and miniature sphinxes accessorizing the home with many tables and chairs structured around a column theme. It’s a bold look but one that will blend in well with this season’s leather and antiques, so there’s no need to worry that those precious 2013 purchases will be going out of style any time soon.