2013 Interior Design Trends For Living Spaces

1/11/2013 12:33 PM EST

ST SULPICE EAMES MS MASTER

The beginning of a new year often encourages many people to reinvent their living space and attempt to brighten up the rooms of their homes with some renovation. Whether it’s something as small as opting for brighter curtains, or a wholesale change with everything from carpets to ceilings altered, there is nothing to symbolise a fresh start like some redecoration. Home experts have established a whole raft of interior design trends for the coming months, with nods to eras gone by as well as a futuristic feel. Some can be achieved by adding a few gadgets or decorative pieces, and some will need walls stripped and furniture swapped; either way, following this guide will ensure an on-trend living space which will be in style for years to come.

Mid-Century Modern

There are a few key approaches to this impressive look, and when they are done correctly, they create a room which is charming and stylised. Sharp-angled furniture which combines rich upholstery and warm-coloured wood is an important aspect; if opting for a genuine leather sofa, ensure that the colour of the leather is played down and neutral, whereas fabric sofas can be matched to the colour of wallpaper with ease to make sure that they aren’t too prominent and loud. Angles are important to this look, so furniture, walls and architecture with sleek lines will be key pieces; the hard and angled edges can be softened with cushions and rugs for a more homely feel.

Back To The 70s

The 70s may not have been hailed as one of the great decades in interior design history, but the unmistakeable style is back with a bang this year. Sideboards, panelled walls and shag piles are all huge news in furnishing a living space, though choosing this look requires careful thought and planning. The loud patterns and clashing fabrics that the look demands blend perfectly together when done properly, but when they go awry the results can be an eyesore. The trend can be given a modern twist by opting for Swedish-inspired prints on the walls and using large floral prints across one feature wall.

Lovely in Lace

Fresh off the catwalks of New York, Paris and Milan, lace is becoming a hit in the living room. No longer simply for dresses and slips, adding a lacy undertone to a room can give a real edge of sophistication and ladylike decadence. The beauty of this trend is that it doesn’t require wholesale changes; lace cushions or curtains can make the room feel quaintly old-fashioned and give a Georgian ambience, while touches such as lace window films and lustrous rugs with a lace effect are strikingly modern. Combining delicate lace with a strong real leather sofa can create a pleasing contrast, and it is worth remembering that lace doesn’t always have to be monochrome; a pop of acidic yellow or zest orange can help to brighten a dull space.

Viva la Renaissance!

The word ‘Renaissance’ is synonymous with decadence; the court of Versailles’ wonderfully ornate furnishings and Louis XIV’s opulent robes in deep jewelled colours stand out as the strongest images of the age. Now the look comes to home interiors. French Renaissance style is different from that of Italians’; it favours beauty over function, and is definitely not a trend that should be attempted by those on a strict budget. Placing rich leather sofas and hanging reproductions of the work of Money or Rembrandt kick-start the trend, while deep-coloured velvets and dainty floral fabrics will set off the look perfectly.

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