Get The Look: Autumn Winter 2020 Trends
Take a look at what is hotting up, as the weather cools down, for Autumn and Winter 2020.
We feel at home when we are surrounded by things we love. Given the current climate (and global pandemic) it's no surprise that this season's interior trends are all about creating a safe, cosy sanctuary to withdraw into. If you're looking to redecorate and need some living room, bedroom or dining room ideas, Autumn Winter 2020 is all about heaps of interest and texture, with added appeal in the form of throws and cushions plus an extra emphasis on comfort.
We also look backwards to happier, simpler times, with vintage styles reemerging such as ‘Granny chic’, 70’s rattan and cane furniture, informal dining and, of course, an abundance of house plants to bring life into the home.
NATURE RULES
As we are inevitably spending less time outdoors, it only makes sense to bring a sense of the outside in. This season is focused on being inspired by nature. With plenty of organic textures, neutral colour palettes and leafy patterns, this look is a trend that never dies out. Seagrass, linen, wood and leather all work together cohesively to help you feel more connected to nature. The key here is to mix it up rather than matching, to recreate a sense of the freedom outside the four walls of your home.
There's no simpler trick to add a natural touch to your interior than filling your home with beautiful plants. From arrangements of your favourite flowers, to eye-catching house plants, any room can benefit from that vibrant pop of green. Many achieve a great sense of accomplishment from caring for house plants, whereas for others the stress of keeping them alive is too much to handle. If you belong to the latter, we have plenty of stunning options for you.
HYGGE 2.0
Take a leaf out of the Danish book. Their 'Hygge' concept is all about sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the small comforts in life. What better excuse than a national lockdown to embrace spending time in the comfort of your own home and surround yourself with objects and furniture that provide nothing but pleasure.
When you think of snug and warming interiors to create the perfect relaxing moment the mind instantly goes to lusciously soft textures which add another dimension to any interior - oversized velvet cushions, faux fur throws and thick fluffy rugs. Texture is key in this setting, with the layering of different tactile surfaces combined with a roaring fire or soft candlelight, there is no backdrop more hygge.
Speaking of candlelight, apparently The Danes hold the crown as one of the largest consumers of candles in the world. A beautifully designed candle holder or lantern can be all it takes to transform the clean, fresh style of classic Scandinavian interiors into a flickering escape, whilst a simple lit candle is seen as one of the purest symbols of hygge achievable. For a deep dive into the Danish style see the full collection by Lene Bjerre here
BRAVE GROUND
We may need all the courage we can get at the prospect of what the next year holds. How fitting that Dulux have announced their Colour of the Year for 2021 as Brave Ground. Now in its 18th year, Dulux once again brought together a panel of colour designers, trend forecasters, design specialists, architects and editors from around the world to come together at the AkzoNobel Global Aesthetic Centre to define one colour that summarises the moment.
Representing the natural, earthy elements found around us every day, Brave Ground is a warm and grounding neutral shade, that allows consumers to draw upon the strength of nature to help them find the intrepidity to embrace the future.
"The colours on our walls are the backdrop to how we live our life. For many of us, lockdown has served to emphasise how important our home environment has become, it has been the place where we work, learn, relax. It can lift us up, nurture us, comfort us.
We continue to live through uncertain times. In 2021, the warm and grounding tones of Brave Ground will allow us to find certainty in the strength from the very ground beneath our feet, emboldening us to go forward and begin to live again and giving us the flex to adapt to the everchanging circumstances we face."
Creative Director, Dulux UK, Marianne Shillingford
MID-CENTURY MAYHEM
Possibly as a result of all the colour, pattern and style we see on our favourite instagram interiors, this movement turns all the aforementioned trends on their head. The polar opposite of a calm, neutral look is a nod to our past but re-imagined for the 21st Century with plenty of pattern and clashing colours. So called ‘Granny Chic’, the look is all about layering, starting with patterned wallpaper and heavy fabrics. The hit Netflix series The Queen's Gambit nailed this style and had us all considering redecorating our living rooms in a Swinging Sixties floral print, just like Grandma. And why not? Small scale floral prints are easy to live with and can create a pretty backdrop without being overpowering. There is a way to do it though to prevent your home from actually looking like your nan's bedsit. You'll see that these Grandmillennials do go big on the old fashioned prints and designs, but give spaces a modern twist by adding in some more contemporary pieces, say a Mid-century style velvet sofa.
A fantastic part of the 60s and 70s decor trend is incorporating these elements in unusual places with headboards, benches and storage all getting the bohemian treatment. The Peacock chair has become a design statement in its own right in recent years and we’ve seen these cosy additions popping up in reading nooks, living rooms and peaceful garden areas too. Cane has also had a resurgence, appearing on sideboards, sofas and chairs, bringing an organic juxtaposition to the heavier patterns and colours usually associated with the mid-century style.
COTTAGECORE
Just a stone's throw from Granny-chic, with very similar roots, is the 'Cottagecore' trend. Instagram also has a lot to answer for with this one. In short, it would seem Cottagecore is an aesthetic that started life on social media. It's all very wholesome, pastoral and based around rural life. Some quick fixes to achieve this look would be changing up your scatter cushions and rug for designs that feature plenty of vintage pattern and a lived-in colour palette, with a bowl of fresh eggs thrown in for good measure.
Architectural Digest has named this style Vintage Maximalism, characterized by “lots of color, warmth, antiques and eclectic touches,” a top design trend for 2020. And, a cohort of "grandmillenails" who gravitate toward chintzy wallpaper and lace curtains are currently enjoying a moment.
HOME BAR
We've been savouring our drinks indoors for quite some time now, pre and post-pandemic. Whilst lockdown restrictions may ease up a little, a home bar is still a must in every home this year and beyond. Indoors, this is a practical and very Gatsby-like addition, – depending on which you go for – think bar carts, cocktails chairs and plenty of crystal glassware. Checkout some of the range by Eichholtz and Gallery Direct
ANIMAL PRINTS
Jenna Lyons famously said "Leopard print is a neutral". As far as we're concerned, animal prints never go out of style. But how do you add a leopard print throw or your zebra print stool without creating a room that resembles a cross between a Pat Butcher's living room and a dodgy B&B? Our advice: start small, add accents in the form of soft furnishings and a few, choice accessories; then, if you love it you can go further with upholstery and rugs.
