Five Design Trends I'm Loving Right Now
Though I’m not a big believer in decorating your home according to current trends, I do believe in following your gut and incorporating what you love into it. Sometimes that might mean bringing in a look or style that’s currently trending - you might see it everywhere and say to yourself, “I love that!” If that’s the case, go for it! Not sure you’ll love it in a few years? Try using it in small doses or with something that’s more budget-friendly.
I’ve noticed I’ve been drawn to a few different trends that I can’t get enough of, and I thought I’d share them with you and see whether you love them too, or if you’d rather give them the boot. Chime in in the comments or join in the conversation on Instagram! You won’t offend me; personal style is just that - personal! 😊
1. Pleated Lampshades
Maybe the most taste-specific of today’s bunch, I’m loving pleated lampshades! Depending on the lamp, these can fall into the “granny-chic” look or they can be more modern, like you see in the image above. Paired with a sleek, simple base, these pleated shades add beautiful, streamlined texture to what would otherwise be a pretty simple lamp. These aren’t your old-school pleated shades you’d find in a dated thrift store!
Though I’ve seen them popping up on high end and budget-friendly retailer’s sites, you may have to purchase your base and shade separately for the perfect combo. I also really like this one with the cane detail that’s ready-made. It comes in a floor lamp option too.
2. Fluted (aka Tambour) Furniture
The fluted furniture trend has been around for a couple of years now - you might also see it called “reeded” or “tambour” furniture. There are a few variations that all fall along similar lines. It’s a beautiful millwork detail that - like a pleated lampshade - adds a ton of texture and dimension to a piece.
I’ve seen it a lot on pieces like dressers, side tables/nightstands, and, in one of my favorite applications, on cabinetry. Here’s a beautiful example of that in a bathroom! It works nicely in both coastal modern and more traditional homes.
3. Arched Cabinets
I rounded up a bunch of these recently and I’ve gotta say, I’m still 100% on board! There’s something about that arch that softens up a big storage piece like this. These tend to be more of an investment piece, so you’ve really got to love the look. It’s a classic style though that I don’t think will ever lose its beauty.
4. Oversized Urn Lamps
It’s hard to call this look a trend since the urn lamp is pretty timeless, but I think it’s the scale of these that’s really popular right now. It’s like the lamp designers of the world are saying go big or go home! I think it’s also important to note that these lamps are often coming with a dramatically tapered shade - it’s a great angular balance to the shape of the base.
For this look to work in your home, you need a substantial surface to support it. Pay attention to the scale of the lamp as well as the dimensions of the shade to make sure your table can handle the size. They also don’t leave a whole lot of room for other things, which can be great if you’re trying to fill a space, but not so great if you need more surface area. The setup above is a perfect example of a well-balanced table lamp + nightstand combo.
5. Natural Wood Toned Furniture
If you’re a fan of Scandinavian style design, this one won’t feel like a trend to you, but the lighter wood toned furniture has definitely become more mainstream lately. You’re seeing more and more retailers carry pieces in these shades. They range from an almost whitewashed look to a light brown wood with tan undertones (not yellow).
Popular in coastal California decor, you’re starting to see it trickle down to other styles as well, and I’m here for it.
