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As the New Year begins, we discover 5 of the hotly anticipated interior design trends that are sure to be a hit in 2019.

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Words by Matt Deighton

For many of us, our homes are our pride and joy – so it doesn’t come as a surprise that we love to mix up our décor from time to time. With so many different interior design trends emerging each year, there’s plenty of decorating inspiration to call upon, but this can also be overwhelming.

That’s why I’m sharing some of the top interior design trends that we can expect to see in 2019, as well as my tips on how to can incorporate these into any space, to help you can stay on-trend all year long.

Brighten up your spaces with Living Coral or Spiced Honey

© Pantone

According to colour experts at Pantone, 2019 is all about embracing warmth and comfort, with a vibrant yet versatile shade called Living Coral. Best described as a standout and buoyant marine tone, there are no limits when it comes to incorporating this colour into an interior. From painting entire rooms in this shade, to adding statement accent pieces, there are plenty of ways to add this bright and beautiful tone to any space.

If you’re not quite sold on straying too far from muted tones, the colour experts at Dulux have reported that neutral light greys and beiges, as well as earthy and pastel tones, are going to be big in 2019 – their colour of the year is Spiced Honey. These colours are perfect for adding contemporary touches to a space, without needing to step completely out of your comfort zone.

Consider investing in bespoke furniture

With a recent shift in buyer responsibility, it’s no surprise that we're expecting to see an increase in the popularity of bespoke furniture in the coming year. As well as giving you complete control over the design process and materials used, designing your own furniture also helps to ensure that the pieces are one-offs that fit perfectly with your existing décor.

If you’re thinking of going down the bespoke route, my top tip would be to create pieces that are timeless and versatile; if you're worried the furniture won't stand out, remember that even timeless pieces can pack a punch with small statement details like contrasting seams and stitching.

Add character with embellishments

“Less is more” might have been the key to creating the minimalist trend of 2018, but the return of passementerie is a sure sign that 2019 is the year to get creative. Passementerie is a decorative French style that involves using embellishments including trims, fringing, braiding, and beads to add character to a piece of furniture, or a finish. Despite its vintage origins, incorporating this trend is sure to give your space an ultra-modern feel.

While this exciting trend might spur some of us to head straight to the haberdashery, it’s important to note that being selective with your passementerie details will prevent you from overdoing it. I’d advise using this sort of detailing sporadically; for example, add a pom-pom trimmed throw onto a sofa, or treat yourself to some fringed bedding to create subtlety with this trend.

Introduce dark or warm woods into the kitchen

We spend a good chunk of time in our kitchens, cooking and socialising. For those who have wanted to move away from the ultra-modern kitchen aesthetic, 2019 looks to be the year to do it. Quartz is completely ‘out’ this year; it’s being replaced by warm or dark wood units with stone or wood counter-tops, which create more of a rustic and traditional feel.

To create this trend, go for a dark wood such as oak, and opt for a laminate finish to protect it from marks and scuffs. To make the kitchen more cohesive, you could even look at getting a matching dining table and chair set that will tie everything together.

Create depth with different textures

As interior designers begin to move away from basic, minimalist styles, they are instead choosing to express themselves through eye-catching texture. Velvet was slowly creeping in towards the end of 2018, but it is here to stay in 2019.

This luscious fabric can be incorporated into almost any aspect of a space, whether you choose to opt for velvet furniture, use a velvet throw, or scatter velvet cushions on your sofa. Another way to give a room a pop of eye-catching décor is to invest in some subtly textured wallpaper – this will create a unique space without being too overpowering.

Matt Deighton is the managing director of British furniture manufacturer, Sofas By Saxon