Interior Design & Color Trends for 2013

February 4, 2013

With the economic downturn of 2008, the interior design industry found that homeowner’s stopped purchasing furniture and remodeling their homes. The majority of people stopped spending on home décor due to their uncertainty of the economy. During this time, they also watched as their savings and retirement accounts took substantial hits.

According to Julie Rogowski (vice president) of the Boston Design Center (BDC), homeowners are now shifting towards spending on home renovations and furnishings. Rogowski said, “The emphasis is changing from “Where can I save the most money” to “What’s the perfect piece that totally reflects me”. It’s a nice shift. It could be the economy, or it could be that people are ready for change.”  Homeowner’s are now investing in their homes interior design as well as remodeling their homes.

Let’s focus on the interior design styles and interior color trends for 2013. According to the BDC’s annual trend report, 2013 will see interior design trends in color, patterns on fabric, and a shift in the type of style. People’s tastes are changing and it’s evidenced by the choices they made. Pattern trends include animal prints, floral prints, and stripe prints.

The animal designs are not zebra or leopard print. Instead they include animals prancing across upholstery. Elephants and dogs seem to be the animals of choice. The floral designs are more modern and include Scandinavian-like- influences such as posies blossoming. The stripes incorporate those styles that were on the runway during Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week. According to Rogowski, designers love the stripes because they bring a room to life with their high voltage color blends.

Colors have shifted to new neutrals and pops of color. Blue is the favorite color of 2013. Blue is being used as a neutral color and the new black is navy blue. The blues are more aquatic with a hint of green. The yellow is mellower in comparison to the neon colors from last year. This paler yellow is also being used as a neutral shade against darker colors. Red is back but it’s being used in moderation.

“Femme fatale” and “metropolitan” are the styles that people have shifted to. Feminine and not girly emulates the “femme fatale” style. It’s a throwback to the soft, curvy lines with pops of pink and purple from 1940s Hollywood styles. Metropolitan is more of a “boutique hotel” style with modernity. Clean lines with an industrial feel are used in the furnishings to accomplish the metropolitan style.