This website is about design through the decades, and with that in mind, we’ve done stories and open threads about top residential interior design trends in the 1940s, the 1950s, the 1980s, and the 1990s. We’ll fill in those missing 20th Century decades soon, but meanwhile, I was thinking: Now that we are about 2/3 of the way through the 2010’s, let’s try and begin to capture the top interior design trends while they are all around us.
A KEY RULE RE COMMENTS: Regular readers are aware that I am not a fan of certain contemporary trends. But for this story, I will not opine. Let us — with objectivity and no judgment on aesthetic or other values — just make a list. Note, I may not approve judge-y comments; I am trying to keep myself focused on equanimity — it’s is not something I’m naturally programmed for, I’m working on it.
Top interior design trends of the 2010s:
I’ll start with a few that I think make the list.
- Gray is the Color of the Decade: Did the popularity of this color reflect the economic malaise of the Great Recession? Gray was used in abundance, on: Walls, kitchen cabinets, flooring, upholstery, and more. By 2017, the gray trend is fading (white walls, for example, seems to be ascendant.)
- Bye bye Granite, hello Quartz: The long-lasting supremacy of granite on kitchen counter tops came to an end. Trendy folk who can afford them want quartz countertops. Even trendier folk, with even more dough re me, want giant slabs of Carrara marble.
- Retro Renovation Revival: The time finally came for midcentury design to experience a revival. Circa 1995, when I first started looking, there were like ZERO midcentury modern-style sofas for sale. Today, there seem to be HUNDREDS. Classic midcentury modern design penetrated the design and decorating culture, and midcentury “modest” got its due, too: The success of the Save the Pink Bathrooms campaign — which made these vintage bathrooms desirable again, at least among some cohorts — is just one example of how granny’s choices finally started getting some respect.
- Upcycle This: Propelled by online sites like etsy and pinterest, the 2010s saw the biggest revival of crafting since perhaps the 1970s. Chalk painting old furniture… turning ball jars into pendant lights… ‘put a bird on it’ everythings… and much more
What do you think of my list so far?
What else should go on the list?
More stories on design trends:
- Top decorating trends from the 1940s
- Top decorating trends from the 1950s
- Top decorating trends from the 1980s
- Top decorating trends form the 1990s
Lauren J says
Open concept.
Cynthia says
Industrial look for tables shelving lighting. Bono chic/bohemian especially in use of textiles throws pillows rugs. Mid century modern we say yay and yes it’s now available to the mass market instead of just vintage or custom made. Low credenza or cabinet for TV etc. No more armoires and TVs are huge flat and on display. No more need to hide or camouflage it. Dark brown or black wood floors early in decade now giving way to lighter or even gray or whitewashed looks. Gray cabinets replacing dark brown for kitchens and baths. White kitchens still classic. Cement encaustic tiles in patterns black white grate and some colors but this will look dated in fewer years than other trends. The attempt to get people to paint and decorate in rose pink and merlot and light purple and other so called colors of the year did not catch on at all.
Jay says
What goes around comes around. I think the Madmen show really helped to propel the midcentury design aesthetic mainstream. Good design is timeless whether it’s a MCM chest of drawers or an 18th century Chippendale highboy. In addition to the subway tile and dark wood floors are the giant industrial lights hanging over the requisite island.
Lynne says
Shiplap walls. It seems to be EVERYWHERE. In every blog, every magazine, on the TV…
Amber says
I agree with your list. The living area of my house is painted gray, and I love it. Really makes our mid century orange couches pop. I also remember looking at Quartz counters but settles on WilsonArt Retro Mint laminate.
I would add “wood” tile to the list. The last few years it’s everywhere and everyone seems to be putting it in their house. I actually like it, but we live in FL where all the floors are tiled. If I can’t get terrazzo or slate, I’d go for the “wood” tiles.
Misyy says
Wooden floors in kitchens instead of trustworthy, hygenic tile. Ugh!! (Or maybe this just indicates how few meals are now being made from “scratch”?)
Kate says
A ‘dizzying’ array of Rugs, curtains and upholstery with high contrast/large scale patterns like stripes, triangles and chevrons.
Leslie O says
Chalk painting everything
Wordy signs
Rusty, wrecked things remade into furniture
Rough hewn flooring
Bicycle and bird motifs
Barn doors (the thing that will become shorthand for the ’10s look)
Donna in SC says
As my son would say “inspirational signs”……
Kristine says
Subway tile, white painted trim, dark stained wood floors.
Shannon says
Yes! White trim!
Bobbie Zapor says
If it’s a kitchen appliance and there’s any possible way to cover it in stainless steel, it’s happening.
Reader Deb says
Like the song “Everything old is new again” subway tile and hardwood floors.