Here I bring you interior design trends straight from the world’s famous furniture exhibition, the Salone del Mobile 2019 in Milan.

Italians set interior design trends

Italians and design seem to be a match made in heaven. When it comes to setting furniture trends in residential interiors, the Southern Europeans have always been ahead of the pack. You can do too! Simply check out these 8 trends that transform your home from drab to fab.

1. Solid coloured cabinets lead the way

What immediately caught my eye whilest wandering through the booths was the dominance of solid coloured surfaces. It’s bye-bye boring as red and blue furniture items are everywhere.

While most of the hues are tastefully muted, there are sporadically bright colours on display for the opulent furniture lovers among us. This trend runs throughout the entire furniture range from sideboards to side tables and from consoles and cupboards.

2. Stained marble now in fashion

If you’re even more adventurous, put it up a notch and select a marble finish in a striking burnt orange hue. You can’t be more in vogue when it comes to interior decoration of your home.

But most of us like it toned down a bit. If this is you, you’ll be pleased to know that stone and marble finishes in neutral colours are still going strong. Think about a dining table top in off-white, grey or beige with impressive veins.

3. Bulky lounges set interior design trends

After years of lounges getting more and more elegant with legs available in all colours and shapes, the latest and greatest in sofa design reverses back. I saw a lot of bulky armchairs and cosy couches that don’t have legs at all. This brings in warmth and atmosphere, especially when you have a large scale living room to decorate.

4. New materials for outdoor furniture

What’s the ants’ pants in sun lounges, cabanas and outdoor dining suites? Most outdoor furniture is beaded, knitted or woven with a rope like material emulating a natural look. However, the ropes are made of plastic that combine hardy outdoor attributes with a casual appearance. Green brownie points go to the manufacturers who use recycled plastic to produce eco-friendly alternatives.

Impressive is also the new generation of outdoor fabrics. They came a long way feeling nowadays nearly as soft as their indoor counterparts while continue to possess the requirements of a sturdy outdoor cover. Think about rain water repellence and UV light resistance, even in our harsh Australian climate.

5. Timber centre pieces are the latest

Timber veneer has almost completely disappeared from new closets and dressers in favour of solid coloured finishes. But when timber is used, it makes a bold statement. Either solid and rustic, combined with elegant materials, or elevated becoming the celebrated focal point. But gone are the days that timber is the standard feature in furniture design.

6. Wallpaper is still on top

Talking about features, wallpaper is still the first choice when it comes to creating a feature wall. But we also use it as a subtle backdrop that adds texture and elegance to any space. Did someone say that wall paper is dead? Well, not so according to the design gurus in Milan. And I’m happy because I simply love it.

7. Interior design trends for kids’ rooms

Childrens’ bedrooms have always been a licence to colour. But with the development to coloured surfaces you can imagine that there is no more stopping it. While grown ups’ furniture is finished in muted colours, childrens’ items are bright and fun.

Sophistication goes up a notch when it comes to kids’ and teenagers’ interior design trends. Clever inbuilt furniture is the way to go, making playing, studying and relaxing child’s play!

8. What’s new in lighting?

Everything continues to revolve around lighting. Not as the icing of the cake, but as a must for any successful decoration project. And the choices have never been more creative, magnificent and overwhelming than today. But what trends do we see? Lighting can be anything, subtle or screaming, huge or tiny, but always in context to the space it is existing in.

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