With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, thoughts are turning to what’s going to be big news in interiors next year. London-based interior design practice Taylor Howes (www.taylorhowes.co.uk) has uncovered what’s hot for 2018 with an exciting trend forecast and predictions for the year ahead…

SEEKING SOLACE IN INTERIORS
During uncertain and unsettled times, there becomes a desire to seek definition, positivity and surety in interior design; a direct response to global uncertainties. With the turbulence of 2017 behind and the continued state of insecurity which lies ahead, we anticipate a huge charge towards fabrics, colours, materials and furniture brands that bring a sense of security and evoke a sense of those halcyon yesteryears. There is a comfort in knowing the providence of pieces and heritage brands will see a renaissance with clients increasingly asking us to seek out the old masters, turning to traditional names and working with reclaimed original materials such as the Murano pieces commonly introduced by the artisans at Charles Burnand, and the fabulously talented marquetry and inlay work as seen by Tim Gosling.

THE REINVENTION OF MONOCHROME
Forever in style, monochrome is the king of reinvention and we could not be happier. Black and white give interiors a bold and empowering contrast and energy, especially when paired with a daring shot of colour. Monochrome adds precision and focus to a room, which is particularly favoured in contemporary design, but also works in a more traditional aesthetic with the chequerboard flooring patterns making a reappearance in old and new properties alike. Working in tandem with the fashion catwalks, monochrome will become a mainstream interior trend in 2018 and will manifest itself via materials and looks in various forms – herringbone, stripes, checks and spots. Interiors will continue to be fashion conscious, taking leads from the likes of Prada and Chanel.

COLOURS AND COLOUR BLOCKING
There is a somewhat childlike and playful spirit in the air when it comes to colours in 2018 and how we integrate them in both residential and commercial interiors. Increasingly we will see the use of different blue, plum and yellow shades, with special attention to naturally occurring palettes as found within the living environment. We’re not just talking about paints, as these colours will be prevalent in the raw materials and we will see greater significance placed on the use of natural stones and semi-precious materials in our designs, particularly those with jewel-like and rich connotations. A rich azure blue will be prevalent in interiors in 2018 and furthermore, this will carry through to into the materials used. Plum, in its many hues and shades, will also appear throughout our concepts and designs and on dark days, nothing makes us happier than the sun and its yellow beams. To this end, we anticipate the increasing move for a rich, majestic yellow to be used within our homes. This is not the overly bright glaring yellow, but a deeper golden and warming tone.

OMBRÉ
Ombré, a trend identified early by Taylor Howes and one integrated into its furniture collection with the ombré console table, will be a key style. A colour blending technique first seen on the catwalk and latterly in hair salons, Ombré, although around already in our homes and in interior design, will take on an entirely new importance in 2018.

NATURE AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
A key trend will be curating ‘patchworks’ of natural materials such as wool, leather and suede across soft furnishings and sofas. Sometimes, this might even include an unfinished edge for an artisanal look. Nature will be further brought inside through flower-tones. Warm botanical pinks, evocative of a late summer’s evening will pervade with tones such as dusty rose, frangipani and rosewood being popular.
The eco-chic look is also gaining traction, with rattan becoming a key material teamed with more bleached woods rather than high-gloss finishes. This marries up well with the trend for handmade pieces, especially those made by small British brands and artisans.
Finally, more adventurous clients may opt for glass walls, partitions and bi-folding doors throughout their homes to really ‘let nature in’. In terms of accessories, think reclaimed wood and imperfections as design features.

SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Social media influencers are, in general, blending being fashion influencers with interior design influencers. The oft-maligned trend for tropical fruit motifs in 2017 was driven almost entirely by social media influencers and crossed over from designer fashion. This will continue in 2018, with other public figures’ style being distilled into interiors.
The pared-back design that is envisaged to be popular in 2018 has its roots in classical Scandinavian designers, made popular through Instagram accounts such as @myscandinavianhome- who often posts austere seeming rooms with pops of bright and playful colour. The heritage look, using handmade materials and pieces have been popularized by accounts like @mad_about_the_house, whose images of cosseting rooms are often liked thousands of times.
Finally, one of our key trends for 2018, of nature-inspired interiors and bringing the outside in, is exemplified by the hugely popular account @plantsindecor, who have amassed nearly 20,000 followers by showing the best ways of bringing natural greenery into the home.

LIGHTING
2018 will see a continuation of the trend towards concealed lighting and a softer layered, diffused effect. Freestanding lighting – desk lamps and floor lamps – will remain focal points and a feature. Fashion will continue to favour the more retro, industrial style.

MODERN FAMILY
The kitchen is the heart of the home and is the area that the most time and thought is put into designing. It needs to be a versatile space, where children can do homework in the late afternoons before adults entertain with elegant drinks in the evening. In 2018, we expect an even further bringing together of generational needs in interiors, with families pulling ever-tighter together and less of a focus on formal spaces such as dining rooms. We expect 2018 to be the year of the ‘study space’, possibly included within a multifunctional dining room or entertaining space.
The key piece of 2018 amongst British families is the bar. Whether a commentary on our changing entertaining habits, or harking back to 1970s design influences, bars are becoming central features of entertaining spaces and the furniture piece du jour for any singletons pad! Most popular are bars that have some pizzazz; looking like a normal piece of furniture or sideboard before opening to reveal spectacular insides when guests arrive.