Design Alert: Staying On-Trend in 2016

If one word could sum up the look for 2016, it would be sexy. Whether it is quietly sophisticated or commands all the attention, this year’s design trends won’t be shy. Clean, simple lines will rule. Colours will be seductively understated, contrasted with showstopping textures and materials. 2016 will definitely be a year for the uninhibited, the bolder, the braver, the better. This year’s look is sleek, evocative, and thoroughly modern. Designer Laura Stein helps us stay on-trend with her official trend report!

BLACK IS BACK

What could be more striking? Both the boldest accent and the newest neutral, black is showing up everywhere; from plumbing fixtures and kitchen cabinets to living room walls. Black, white, and brass paired together is one of this year’s hottest colour combinations.

Sources: Living Room Photo, Hudson Furniture Gallery; Chair, Elte; Stools, Kelly Wearstler; Faucet, Rubinet Faucet Company;

BRASS

Speaking of brass, this is one trend that just won’t quit. A holdover from the last couple of years, brass has now become so mainstream that we’re seeing it everywhere. Bye-bye polished nickel! Brass is now our metal of choice, not just for lighting and hardware, but for upholstery, casegoods, and faucets. It’s even showing up on fabric, wallpaper, rugs and tile. Look for brass in a brushed or antiqued finish that has a warm, rich patina. Brass pairs beautifully with our eternal favourite neutral – grey, and all of this year’s trendy colours.

MOODY HUES

Colours for 2016 are more muted than they have been in years. The bright and festive colours we saw during the first half of the decade have been supplanted by a wave of smoky, sophisticated hues. Deep, rich colours like peacock, cobalt, and emerald are subdued with grey undertones, making them feel softer and warmer. Lighter pastels like rose, lilac, peach, and cornflower blue have a faded, dusty look that makes them the perfect neutral backdrop.

Sources: Fabrics, Threadcount

MATERIAL MIX-UP

Mixing different materials creates dynamic spaces with lots of texture. It’s one of the tricks designers use to make a room feel engaging. This year we are taking it a step further, mixing different materials not just within a room, but within a single piece of furniture. You’ll find wood, metal, leather, bone, parchment, lacquer, stone, glass, and fabric in some of the most stunning and unusual combinations. These are real statement pieces and can bring a room to a whole new level.

Sources: Furniture, Kelly Wearstler

TACTILE AND TEXTURAL

This year’s design will not just be a feast for the eyes, but for the fingers as well. It’s not just furniture that’s getting a tactile treatment. Wallpaper, tiles, and rugs have taken on a new life with large-scale depth and dimension. Look for nature-inspired textures, geometric patterns, and large asymmetrical motifs. Hexagon and chevron patterns are on the A-list. Wood grain and concrete textures are trendy in both wallpaper and tile, along with raised geometric patterns and hand-finished imperfections.