Predictions for 2016

Working in the interior design industry it is important to keep an eye on the market trends.  What never fails to surprise us here at Aspire is the number of trends which can run simultaneously – often completely contradicting each other.  This is particularly true with our predictions for 2016.

Naturals

We are consistently seeing the trend for naturals repeated throughout interiors.  Floral and neutral fabrics with a naturalistic style are consistent best sellers here at Aspire. Naturals is a trend we expect to see continue well into 2016. It is the same across our contemporary and traditional ranges – nature always inspires.

With the environment in the news, be it global warming at the January summit in Paris or flooding in parts of Yorkshire and Cumbria, in the UK we care about our environment and our homes reflect that.

Geometric and Nostalgia

In her article of December 2015, Gabriella Bennett describes how nostalgia, particularly for the 60’s is predicted to be a key trend for 2016.  The retro theme is something which we have seen growing amongst purchasers of made-to-measure curtains from the Aspire Curtains and blinds website.  Indeed the new range from iLiv due to be launched online in February 2016 has a selection of abstract fabrics such as Sketch which have a decidedly sixties feel.

THE EVOLUTION OF GREEN IN 2015

 We might not all be able to afford to use one of the Times Top 30 Interior Designers to make our home look amazing. It's up to us to make the space around us fabulous. With a little knowledge the alchemy of attractive design can be ours for a fraction of the cost.

The major key trend from 2015 was nature, with green being the dominant hue.  It’s easy to see why when you think how many of us have to spend our days in an office or commuting through built up areas.  Who doesn’t get a lift from green?

Pale, subdued greens were the focus at the beginning of the year.  Think sage, eau de nil, moss and pastel tones.  Green feels tranquil and restful, and is often associated with fertility.  It is very wholesome and there are very few houses in the UK which wouldn’t benefit from a green room.

Things spiced up as the year progressed. In summer we saw energy levels rise with the inclusion of lime,pistachio and bright green among the best sellers.  Green blinds in conservatories were a popular choice as people attempted to bring the outside-in.

As the autumn leaves fell, so we see the shades of green take on darker tones.  Olive, teal and hunter green come to the fore as we all snuggle down for winter. Comfort and reassurance with tactile fabrics and soft-furnishings led us all a cosy end to 2015.

The trend for green looks set to continue with Spring 2016 seeing the introduction of bright, fresh greens, emerald and lustre fabrics. Watch for the launch of new fabrics from iLiv and Belfield in early 2016.

Extend the barbecue season by making use of your Conservatory

Simple design features to make more use of your conservatory over winter.

We’ve had a fabulous summer; lots of lazy days with the kids and lots of informal gatherings around the barbecue.  It seems a shame it should end as the clocks go back. We can all fit far fewer people in our lounge than we can in our garden, so tend to hunker down for the winter and become anti-social.

If you are lucky enough to have a conservatory on your house then here are some ways you can make it work for you and your social life this winter.

• Keep it neutral & accessorise for the season

Neutrals are a must for every conservatory. They allow you to play it cool in the summer and heat things up in the winter.  Neutrals go with everything.

• Coordinating blankets and cushions in the winter allow your guests to snuggle up and look out at the weather
• Draw the blinds down and open the doors to our lounge – voila an instant extension for entertaining large groups
• Keep it light and bright in the summer, earth tones and pastel hues will fade less than bold colours
• Change the cushions, rugs and throws regularly to give this often neglected space an occasional new lease of life; coordinate with your choice of blinds.

• Think practical and make sure the space works

Think about how you use your conservatory. If it is a back entrance to the house, make sure there is space to get in and out; and a shoe rack or risk muddy footprints.

To  use your conservatory as an extra dining room when friends and family come to visit – then make best use of the space by clearing out the sofas and installing a table.

You can make great use of a rug in a conservatory – as the amount of sunlight means carpets are impractical.  Make especially sure the rugs don’t slip on hard flooring, especially if your meal includes wine for your guests.

• Bring the outdoors in with foliage and plants

One lovely thing about a conservatory is its location near your garden.  Make a feature of this for your guests.  Overwinter vulnerable plants and enjoy their foliage – or even use the space to grow exotics.

Allow your choice of fabric to reflect the garden setting.  There are some great nature inspired fabrics choices on the market. Your guests will enjoy the outside-in feeling – especially if you are hosting a barbecue on a chilly evening.

• Heat things up for the cooler months

As well adding blankets and rugs to your conservatory for the winter season, candles can give a warm glow and add to the ambiance, but keep them away from curtains. Coloured spotlights or even fairly lights can add a lovely glow to the space. And remember, the Christmas tree looks during December!
Just a couple of tweaks and your conservatory will serve you well throughout the winter.