Aritcle originally posted by Sotheby’s
How many times have you perused high-end design tips in a glossy lifestyle magazine or an esteemed architecture editorial, only to notice that those trends are passé in a matter of months?
Some styles have mere moments to shine before fading to obscurity; while other trends demonstrate a recursive pattern, returning cyclically across the years or decades. But there are also certain aesthetic sensibilities that, viewed holistically over time, have not only held their value but augmented it. And homeowners ought to take note, whether they plan to sell their property one day or hand it down to posterity.
So as designers identify top trends—as they did in Sotheby’s International Realty’s annual Luxury Outlook Report, where five professionals at their top of their field singled out visual styles they’re currently paying attention to—it’s prudent to remember not all of them are “trends” in the typical sense of the word. Yes, they might be in vogue, but chances are that they will remain so in the foreseeable future.
Classic Furniture Trends for Inspired Interiors
Paris Est Sotheby’s International Realty
Designers and their clients have turned towards more maximalism in their luxury interior ideas recently, but not because of a “more is better” mindset. It’s because the true trend is a growing desire among homeowners to imbue their spaces with art, furnishings, and finishes that incite invigoration, imagination, and sensory interest and stimulation.
And while the distinct personality infusing these spaces risks making their appeal subjective, it can also have universal charm when the right approach is employed. For instance, hardwoods are some of the most durable home materials, and furniture made from varieties such as mahogany, walnut, and oak can last for generations while also showcasing the unique, authentic craftsmanship that modern luxury properties have come to prize.
Ann Hay Hardy – Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty
Marble and stone also keep well, and make gorgeous surfaces—in luxury flooring trends, timeless kitchen designs, and high-end bathroom ideas—that give texture, tone, color, and character to a space.
Along with this growing desire for distinctiveness is a demand for comfort. Interiors should invite calm even as they spark joy, and this extends from elegant lighting solutions to luxury home textiles and seating. Having plush and illuminated spaces to gather, talk, read, and relax have gained popularity among owners and creators of luxury properties.
Decor and Design That Endure for Decades
Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty
Paradoxically, sometimes the most timeless design trends are those that embody time itself; even when properties are brand new, many luxury architects and designers are embracing the old. Because by imbuing a sense of memory and antiquity into a space through reclaimed wood, stone, and textiles, there’s also a sense of longevity. Historic structures that are still standing were obviously built to aspirational standards.
We’ve seen how there are many ways to incorporate modern classic design through surfaces and materials—but is there such a thing as a timeless color scheme? While contemporary layouts may be tapping into maximalist trends, the neutral wall colors of classic minimalist design luxury—from creamy tints to sandy shades—remain as fashionable today as they were yesterday.
Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty
But more than just being neutral colors, these are natural colors. Soft greens, blues, and other organic hues make for mood-boosting palettes that align with luxury homeowner’s growing need for greater integration between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Features to Help Increase Your Home’s Value
