New year, new me, new carpets too!
As 2018 takes off we can expect a whole lot of last year’s looks, furniture and fashion, to be tossed out with those bad habits. Interior decorating trends are notorious for being fickle, and year after year we see sharp changes in what is trend-setting. To keep your apartment looking #instaworthy, it is important to stay up-to-date with what’s fantastic. According to the experts, educated consumerism and self-care will impact our decor choices over the coming months. Browse through what’s popular on Pinterest and you’re likely to bump into a dozen or more of the below styles.
Here is our list of 5 of the most prominent interior decorating styles we think will make their mark in 2018.
- Florals
- Bold Colours
- Vintage Pieces
- Natural, Eco-Friendly Finishes
- The Refined Farmhouse
Florals
Banana Leaf everything, from bed covers, blankets to curtains and wallpapers. ‘Tis the year of the botanicals. And we are seeing green make a flashy statement beyond interior decorating – the floral theme is a popular pattern in clothing too.
Interior design experts predict floral prints in bold, contrasting colors will make a big comeback in 2018
Floral chintzes are not a new style, but a youthful, modern take on something that was once common. The most popular types of floral decorations are the light, exotic foliage, like the banana leaf, ferns, Swiss cheese plant, and roses. Pinterest saves for “patterned plants” has increased by 533%.
Bold Colours
Expect everything but neutral tones. In 2018 we want to make a statement, and things are moving in the right direction. Think the #metoo or #whywewearblack movements making headlines around the world. People are standing up for what they believe in and they want to be heard. So with that in mind, think dark violet, or a sultry red. This is the perfect opportunity to push the boundaries around colors and tones. Pillows, blankets and, towels are easy accessories to try out first, without having to over-commit. More texture, embellishment and eclectic styles are making this maximalism theme of bold colors appealing to home decorators.

Source: Pinterest
Vintage Pieces

Source: littlevintagenest.com
Living in such a tech-driven world can be overwhelming, and thus having a traditional or vintage accessory allows us to escape for a moment from the buzzing of notifications and updates. We can expect across the board, classical vibes like hippy shapes and overscale upholstery taking over the tailored pieces of the last couple years. This redux of 1970s and ’80s expression and collectibles is a popular hit with millennials, makes a great talking piece, and can cost you less than a buck-fifty at your downtown thrift shop. Vintage pieces can be anything from a simple, refurbished painting to a neat set of old whiskey bottles. To decorate your home in a vintage way achieves a comfortable result, as you are moving away from the favored style and letting the old complement the new.
Eco-Friendly, Natural Finishes
Deeply-meaningful, organic aesthetics are the craze. I would go so far as saying this year we can expect the rise of the vegan home. As conscious consumerism and cruelty-free cults are on the advance, homemakers are needing to look twice at the label to make sure it doesn’t break any backs on social media. Is it organic? Is it sustainable? Did an 8-year-old kid from Uganda have to quarry in an illegal mine for this metal whilst being mocked by a cis male for being gender-fluid?
With the rise of social media and the sharing economy, we’re opening up our homes to the rest of the world in a whole new way.
Consumers are more educated about home design than ever. We want to feel good about the products we purchase and know that the brands we support are ethical and fair.
The Refined Farmhouse Look
Rustic country styling is going urban. Heavily cabineted kitchens with loads of open, wooden shelving. Wood-grain tones, creams, and blues rather than stark-white. With the endless options for handmade crafts on websites like Etsy, we find ourselves surrounded by a selection of fine wooden furniture and art. This means loving all the blemishes and hardness that comes with authentic pieces. Doing the bare-minimum and accepting the imperfections as a part of your home.
To End
Buyers are really starting to think about design and the products they bring home. We’re not following wild trends or going blindly in an attempt to beat the neighbor. We know what we looking for, and want to express ourselves. Comfortable, safe and an emphasis on self-care. We’re bringing in elements and attitudes that make us feel young, wild and free.

Source: Etsy
4 Comments
Kathy Modeen
November 4, 2018 at 11:38 amWell I have never been one to care about trends. I do what I like. As a designer I appreciate the new styles but I incorporate what I love. Now I love the newer bolder colors and the vintage is not new but I love that too. What I don’t like at all is the banana leaf everything. You see I live in Florida and well, we all are a little sick of the palm tree/banana leaf deal. Actually we love the mountains and cypress trees, lol. Love this article very informative and very easy to read
miehomedecor
November 4, 2018 at 8:42 pmAs 2018 is coming to an end, I would say this was pretty accurate! Good job!
lauren
November 5, 2018 at 3:59 amLove this post! I am so excited to see color for a change. I am so over grey and white.
Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood
January 9, 2019 at 5:22 pmI love your suggestions for what’s trending. I wonder how many of these will carry into 2019?