2019’s Top 4 fall interior design trends | #2 is a Must!
Plaid-like patterns also work to give #1’s overall look.
With fall’s cooler climates and earlier sunsets upon us, it’s time to get comfy in the great indoors.
This season’s biggest interior looks reboot classic styles in fresh and modern ways with laid-back prints, sumptuous textures and calming colors that will help stave off those winter blues.
The best part? These go-to styles make a statement even in the smallest of doses, but are timeless enough to merit a full home refresh.
1) Plaid
Plaid may recall memories of grandma’s house or stir up visions of stodgy country estates, but this season’s take on the enduring pattern is surprisingly modern. This fall, keep an eye out for tonal plaid, where just two colors are layered to create a crisp motif that reads more geometric than busy.
Enlarge ImageSchoolhouse Electric Co.’s plaid woven rugSchoolhouse
“I have a deep love for plaids, and this tonal plaid is one of my favorites,” says interior designer Shea McGee of Lehi, Utah-based design firm Studio McGee, who used a white and greige — or gray-and-beige — tonal plaid wallpaper to level up a small powder room with gray wainscoting. “It’s a more modern take on a traditional pattern and really keeps the space casual and approachable.”
Afraid to commit to something as permanent as wallpaper? Try Schoolhouse Electric Co.’s plaid woven rug (from $149), where contrasting undyed wool yarns give off a modern-day feel in an heirloom-style product.
Target is also in on the trend with its Cheswold wingback chair ($299.99) that looks made for nights by the fireplace. And for Fido, there’s CB2’s similarly matching black and white dog bed (from $169).
If the staying power of yesterday’s plaid is any indication, this season’s take on the pattern is an instant classic.
2) Velvet
Enlarge ImageDesigner Adam Meshberg used velvet couches to make the lobby of the Grand McCarren rental building in Greenpoint luxurious.Michael Sofronski
Cooler temperatures mean the opportunity to hunker down, and what better way to do that than by surrounding yourself with plush, cozy fabric? The ever-fashionable velvet is making a strong statement this season in a fresh batch of colors from chartreuse to deep navy — and the pieces it adorns these days read ultra-sophisticated.
Enlarge ImageAnthropologie’s velvet pouf; West Elm’s Lenox velvet dining chairAnthropologie; West Elm
“I always try to mix in a rich colored velvet upholstered bench or chair with some brass or blackened steel into a bedroom or a library. It adds a luxurious and elegant look and feel,” says Brooklyn-based interior designer Adam Meshberg. “West Elm has some great pieces at good prices with nice colors mixed with metal finishes.”
To Meshberg’s point, look toward West Elm’s Lenox velvet dining chair ($259) or Celine bench in distressed velvet ($499), two easy ways to incorporate the fabric into your home.
Anthropologie also offers up a few takes on the fabric with its velvet pouf ($248) that comes in colors from honey to moss, and plushy velvet curtains (from $78) that add a feeling of old-Hollywood opulence to any room. Come warmer months, stash away velvet decor like that old winter wool rug for an instant spring refresh.
3) Color of 2020: “Romance”
Enlarge ImageRomance, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams’ distinguished color of 2020HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
After a summer spent outdoors, fall reminds us of the joys of seeking sanctuary inside. Cozy into this season’s cooler climates with a subdued palette of new neutral colors led by Romance, a soft blush paint with apricot tones that’s HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams’ distinguished color of 2020.
Enlarge ImageRomance is trending color from interior design to fashionHGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
“Romance really speaks to our desire for calm balance in our lives but in a sophisticated way,” says Ashley Banbury, the brand’s senior color designer, who helped identify Romance’s hue as a trending color in things from interior design to fashion. “It brings in a beautiful warmth to a space with a dose of optimism.”
Create a relaxing yet inspired interior by using Romance as a pop of color in a built-in bookshelf or on a door. “Don’t be afraid to have fun with this shade,” says Banbury, who classifies it as a softer and less saturated take on millennial pink.
Although the color is all about calm vibes, its neutral undertone also makes it a choice all-over wall paint that allows more stand-out pieces to pop. “It is a great backdrop to jewel tones and gold accents that are being brought in with accessories and artwork,” says Banbury. If there’s one takeaway here, it’s that neutrals don’t have to be boring.
4) Graphic and mural-style wallpaper
Enlarge ImageFlavor Paper’s scratch-and-sniff Cannabliss wallpaperFlavor Paper
Forget stuffy florals and stale tartans, there’s a new class of cool — and even experiential — wallpaper that’s rewriting the rule book for wall coverings. Mural wallpaper is making a major dent in the scene this season, but industry leader Flavor Paper of Brooklyn is trying its hand at creating wallpapers that delight a range of senses (from $350 per roll).
Enlarge ImageBTS of Flavor Paper.Flavor Paper
“We’re seeing an increased demand for designs that are playful and immersive,” says Flavor Paper founder and creative director Jon Sherman.”We’ve taken our modus operandi to the next level by exploring new technology and special effects, such as scratch-and-sniff weed scents, Day-Glo and invisible inks, to create unconventional artwork that is transportive and flips the conversation script to something more cheerful.”
Flavor Paper also churns out modern takes on more classic patterns from its Cobble Hill factory, like in its toile series that features scenes from daily life in places like Brooklyn ($250 per roll) and the Bay Area ($200 per roll). Turn to Etsy shop Wallpaperie for delicate floral scenes (from $31.50) that make this season’s must-have mural look utterly accessible. One thing’s for sure these days: Whatever scene you fancy, there’s a wallpaper for that.