Eight Home Decor Trends for 2020

At the start of every year, I love scoping out design trends and movements that are taking place in the industry. Not only have we started a new year, but it’s an entirely new decade! It’s crazy to think back to what we were doing in our homes 10 years ago and how much has changed! It makes me wonder what the 2020’s will have in store for us. Ten years ago, darker, heavier colors were popular and over the last decade, we’ve seen the rise of the all white kitchen, shiplap, and farmhouse influences. We’ve gone from dark stained floors and cabinetry to light oak floors and more modern/clean interiors. Remember the industrial, shabby chic and rustic wood trends? After all that, it was almost like we cleansed our palettes with all white everything, and now we are seeing a shift back towards more warm, traditional interiors with timeless pieces. Not to say that brown cabinets and heavy drapery is coming back, but “new” traditional is definitely a thing.

Here’s what to expect this year:

1. Vintage and Patina Accents

Pieces that have a traditional flare such as spindle chairs and time-worn antiques seem to be making a comeback. The difference this time around is that we aren’t letting one style dominate or take over our entire home like we saw happen with the shabby chic trend. Mixing modern/newer pieces in with a few vintage pieces gives this look a more current vibe. Light and bright interiors are still trending, but with a little more character and warmth. We also don’t want a room to feel like we could have walked into one particular store and purchased everything. Most designers are aiming for an eclectic look that seems to have come together over time. Your home should feel unique, like a reflection of you and should tell a story. Uniformity across your decor doesn’t necessarily tell the most interesting story, but a mix of different styles and pieces that evoke a feeling of a bygone era heightens the interest of a room. Adding in a few vintage and patina accents is a great way to enhance your home’s story.

2. Wallpaper

Wallpaper might just be here to stay. I think it’s a trend that is no longer a trend, but more of a design staple. However, just like with anything else, our tastes in wallpaper change. What we liked 5 years ago, may not be the same as what we like today. A few years back, geometric prints were trending and now the more traditional styles and florals seem to dominate. Wallpaper isn’t as easy or inexpensive to change out as paint, and if you are drawn to the more trendy prints, it will eventually require some updating. There are certain wallpapers that seem to do a better job of standing the test of time, such as Grasscloth and Chinoiserie. But, that doesn’t mean you won’t tire of them. Just know that wallpaper is an investment because it is expensive to purchase and install – and eventually you may want to update it. But, if you love it and it makes you happy go for it! I am personally a huge fan of wallpaper and think it adds so much interest and character to the overall feel of the home.

3. Navy Blue 

Pantone’s color of the year is classic blue and this color is a versatile choice that seems to work well with so many different styles. I love that navy can be incorporated into your decor by painting a room or wallpapering –  or in a gesture as simple as a new rug, vases or throw pillows. Also, don’t think it has to be solid navy. There are so many prints that pair navy with other colors or a white background to keep it from becoming too dark.

4. Non-White Kitchens

I personally think that the accent color island or different colored lower cabinets is a trend that is on it’s way out. But I do think that adding in a combination of white cabinetry with light wood stained accents is making a surge. I have seen this done in several ways, and I am actually doing it in my personal home that we are building now. Staining your island, adding floating shelves or two-tone cabinets are all ways to incorporate this trend. I love a tongue and groove ceiling in the kitchen, and using light stained wood on the ceiling instead of white, warms the kitchen and makes it unique. I’ve also seen a rise in people mixing up their countertops and doing more black. A great way to do this is to use white countertops on the island and then a black material on the counters that border the room.

5. Kitchens that feel like a room

While we’re talking kitchens, the “less stark, more warmth” trend seems to carry over into making your kitchen feel like a cozy room that flows with the rest of the house. Apart from incorporating wood into the decor, another way to cozy up your kitchen is to style shelves with art and non-kitchen related accessories. Candles, books, vases and plants add charm to the kitchen and make it feel like an extension of the rest of your home.

6. Olive Trees

Not gonna lie, I’m a little happy that the fiddle leaf fig tree is finding it’s way out of the trends (finally). There for a while, they were everywhere. Yes, I was guilty of having them and not keeping them alive! This year, the olive tree is gaining popularity and they are much easier to imitate well in the faux form…and generally smaller and less expensive than the fiddle leafs figs were. I love that olive trees are so rich in history and tradition (traditional trend alert again) and that they are a symbol of peace and friendship. I also like that Olive trees are daintier and smaller in stature and less stark. They seem to blend well with all decor and feel less obtrusive.

7. Mixed Metals and Unique Finishes

Still going strong…the art of mixing metals might be here to stay. Gone are the days when every finish had to be gold or silver. Manufacturers are getting more creative and expansive with the choices they are offering. We are seeing so many different unique finishes making a splash. Pewter is a beautiful take on silver and mixes well with other finishes. Antique or burnished gold and French brass feels like it has been around for a while and has a story to tell. I have even seen antique copper, which is a more toned down version of the shiny copper and reminiscent of an old Parisian apartment. I chose it to mix it with polished nickel in my daughter’s bathroom, and I love how unique it is. Selecting all of the plumbing and lighting finishes for our new construction home became a huge undertaking and something that I put a lot of thought into. The right finishes can really dictate your design and make an impact. So, have fun with your finishes, explore all the options and get creative! Just remember a good rule of thumb is no more than 2 different finishes per room.

8. Warm Tones

For years, we spent so much energy converting everything that resembled beige or taupe to gray, gray and more gray. Beige was bad and gray was good! I think we got so carried away with gray that we kinda overdid it and got a little burnt out. Not to say that gray is gone for good, it’s still a great accent color and neutral – but, we are seeing more warmth coming back into the homes. We are also seeing white walls win in popularity and versatility over gray. Shockingly, warmer whites have made a strong comeback and even some with beige undertones (gasp!). Warmer woods are also making an appearance again, especially in accent pieces.

I hope this inspires you to make some fun updates to your home this year. I am seriously loving all these trends! Happy decorating!