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
Robert S says
I don’t know if anyone else already pitched this one in, but what I call the Restoration Hardware color palettes, from the advent of the “greige” to those sort of pastel colors, butter yellow/pale blue/greys that were popular with the Pottery Barn/Crate & Barrel/Restoration Hardware buyers. Particularly popular in the “spa style” bathrooms. Usually decked out in these pale colors, with white towels, chrome arts & crafts looking light fixtures and marble or white pedestal sinks.
Another trend is/was those curtain panels with the big “O” ring holes in them. They always looked like overgrown shower curtains to me.
Of course for the flippers, there was the ever present bathroom remodel, which consisted of that strip about 6 inches wide of glass tile, usually in an elongated pattern, between whatever other ceramic tile they used for the shower enclosure. Obligatory granite counters with tumbled marble backsplashes till seem to reign.
Antique rubbed oil bronze finish seems to be replacing the omnipresent nickel finish of the 00’s, which replaced the bright shiny brass of the 90’s.
For the “crafty” set, isn’t milk-paint or chalk paint or whatever they call it still a thing? There seems to be certain set of people who think taking an antique or mid-century wood stained piece, and instead of properly refinishing the good wood, some chalky looking paint in various shades of chocolate milk in a shabby chic thing is the way to go.
Oh and a shout out to overwrought ceiling fans. That could be a whole category unto itself.
Kathleen Lewis says
I think of milk paint as more of an ’00 thing, and has been replaced by “reclaimed” wood.
Decorative ceiling fans also started in the ’00s, but nipple lights (which I personally love, since the light is less harsh and the shade doesn’t shake loose) are a child of the ’10s.
Annette says
Painting over perfectly good wood furniture. Make it stop!
Greige walls.
“Word” art comprised mostly of corny inspirational phrases. Bonus points if it has the words “coffee”, “wine” or “chocolate”.
And definitely “open concept” floor plans. (No thanks.)
Janie4 says
Herringbone tile patterns to be interesting. Backsplashes with “texture”. Shaker cabinets, subway tile. Separate freestanding tub and shower. Furniture like islands or waterfall counters. Reclaimed wood accent walls and mantels. Kitchen cabinets in separate colors.
Navy blue and black cabinets. And completely open floor plans.
Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares says
Kitchen cupboard doors removed. And woodland creatures.
Allison says
Absolutely no cozy allowed.
Bare, industrial, hard surfaces, clinical, white/gray; the only allowable colors are in small pops, usually pillows or small decor items.
Kitchens that never look like kitchens, but more like the reception area of an upscale dental office.
Everything is huge; sofas, kitchen islands, bathrooms, houses.
“hotel-style” as the ultimate expression of luxe.
ModernT says
Chevron curtains, chevron carpets, chevron everywhere. I think it’s over now but in the early 2010’s there was a lot of chevron.
Kathi says
To piggy back on this comment and Pam’s nomination of the color gray, I offer up the 10s trend of pink/gray, blue/gray, or yellow/gray chevon nursery. As a new mom in the 2010s, this trend drove me a little crazy because everyone I knew that used it thought they were being so original.
Mary Hutka says
This is more for the outside decor – xeriscape. The good old US of A has many more areas in drought conditions/much less water available for keeping a green lawn. 40 years ago my hometown of Austin had green lawns no matter how much water was needed to maintain. Now I’m seeing yards that look more like the desert areas of New Mexico, Arizona, etc back in the day. Even my own back yard. Water is too precious and we have to be sparing in our water use plus still have an attractive yard.
Susie Q. says
Finally, a good trend!
Kelly Wittenauer says
I think this is very much a regional thing. Here in the Ohio River valley/Great Lakes area recent years have been extremely wet.
Elaine says
I love xeriscaping. We just can’t grow grass in our southern outpost because we are gone most of the summer. I have planted some patches of drought tolerant things, Silver Bismarckia flanked by Aloe, Agave and a surprisingly big Opuntia. Together they command the yard and provide curb appeal despite the ratty mixed ground cover. I so still hear about my predecessor’s beautiful lawn. I wish he would come back and restore it.
Becky says
I am putting the finishing touches on my modest budget, MCM apartment right now, and I’m finding that in the lower end market, Mid-Century is getting hard to find!
What I’m finding is a lot of Industrial and Shabby Chic/Farmhouse. How I long for decor that isn’t distressed, rusted, or covered in cows! Also “Glam”, which seems like Hollywood Regency by way of a 10 year old. Gold everywhere! Things dipped in gold paint, tiny crystal chandeliers for your closet, and the return of vanity tables.
I also want to throw in the gallery wrapped canvas and wall art chopped up into a multi-part grouping. These will be the 10’s answer to framed felt and burlap designs!
LuAnn says
In my mind, the farmhouse trend is missing some things that farmhouse kitchens were traditionally known for…color! One of my aunts had a very deep red ceiling, white steel cupboards, and lots of yellow. Also kitsch…roosters, especially. I really miss color!
Becky says
Yes! and Yes!
A lot of the farmhouse trend is nothing but off white. Ugh. Even the cows (and sheep and hens) are muted. Roosters – bright red and yellow and green – would certainly be an improvement!
Laura Ainsworth says
One bright note (pun intended): Color, particularly Carmen Miranda-style tropical color, is having a big moment in fashion right now. Lots of rich oranges, greens, teals and yellows in beautiful combinations are the rage. Wild prints with parrots and pineapples. Lucky me; that’s already my unwavering personal taste — my c.1955 modest ranch already looks like that — and I’m happy to see the influence carrying over into some home decor as well. People have to get sick of gray eventually!
Of course, if rich, tropical color becomes “the” trend, it will inevitably go out of style, but I’ll remain happy with my vintage yellow countertops, chalkware parrots and ceramic toucans.
Holland VanDieren says
Trends I hope have seen their heydays, but still abound:
Matching or similar pendant lights hung in pairs or groups, usually over a dining surface.
Two-tier kitchen islands with stools off the tall side (usually within arm’s reach of table-and-chairs also set up for meals.)
Blacked out interiors. Enough with the goth, already.
Faux or real animal heads on walls. (I’m absolutely opposed to taxidermy of any kind, because I’m a devout animal l over.)
JustAnotherPam says
I have some black walls because mid century teak is so gorgeous against it. When I repaint I’m going with midnight blue as that complements teak too.
Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares says
“Bowl” sinks sitting on top of a repurposed dresser used as a vanity, with a sort of waterfall faucet (not sure what they’re called).
Painting the wood cupboards. Painting everything, for that matter.
Chris says
What a fabulous list. The only thing I’m not sure about is painting the wood cupboards. My kitchen’s age is somewhere between 1935 and 1950 and the plywood cupboards were already painted. There was only one previous owner who hadn’t done any updates (lucky for me)