The days are getting lighter and longer and Easter, the high season for redecorating your home, is just around the corner.
If you’re planning a refresh or a larger project, these three key trends will bring your home up to date.
Fifty shades of green
“Green is the new gray,” declares Charlotta Elgh, director of design at John Lewis, reflecting the widespread belief that this color is the new neutral, calm yet revitalizing whichever shade you choose.
John Lewis reports that sales of green armchairs, headboards and sofas are 277 percent higher than last year.
Green: John Lewis’ striped green headboard, £499, is part of the Spring 2023 range
The color is prevalent in the new collection, which is divided into modern — for lovers of contemporary — and classic, aimed at those who like more traditional designs but with a twist.
The classic range includes a chic light green woven chair (£179) that can be used as a dining room or desk chair and the Otley sofa (£999 to £1,649), covered in white and green ticking, has a touch of Regency formality. Both would add a touch of green to a beige or gray decor.
However, it is likely that many people prefer to bet more of the color. And Lily Allen’s New York townhouse makeover, as featured in Architectural Digest magazine, is drawing attention for its lavish use.
The sitting room has a sage green buttoned sofa and armchairs, 18th century style floral wallpaper and a green ceiling.
This look is easy to copy, for any budget. If you’re splurging, Habitat’s Hendricks green button-up sofa is back from £1,600, while Lancashire-based 1838 Wallcoverings has launched a series of papers based on floral prints in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s collection.
Do you want to make a more modest investment? Robert Dyas has reduced the Florence green button-up bucket seat from £169.99 to £147.40, and the selection of wallpaper in B&M stores includes some dramatic Victorian palm tree prints.
Paint can be an inexpensive way to make your home greener, and manufacturers are launching new shades to cater to a Britain that has finally had enough of beige.
Beverly by Farrow & Ball is a strong forest green. Vining Ivy, Glidden’s color of 2023, is a bluish green that is said to be “energizing yet grounding.”
Dulux’s color for 2023 is Wild Wonder, ‘a gentle warm gold with hints of green’, ideal for anyone who wants to make a subtle shift in color.
Other Dulux shades, such as Bamboo Stem, Fresh Sage and Willow Tree, also provide a smooth transition.
Light sage tiles can bring a green element to a bathroom and bring the outdoors in.
The main reason behind the rise of greenery is said to be a desire to feel closer to the outdoors, in a calming atmosphere that Andrew Tanner, Creative Director of Habitat, describes as “founded simplicity.”
Second hand chic
In addition to the trend towards green, there is a desire for eco-friendly makeovers. Upscale developments that attract a younger, wealthier, eco-conscious clientele offer reclaimed flooring and second-hand furniture and lighting, often made in Britain.
The High Street responds to this trend. Christine Kasoulis, Habitat’s home and furniture director, says the spring and summer collections will inspire those who “modernize rather than transform.”
Suddenly everything looks brand new, with the rise in popularity of statement thrifts, cheap pieces found in junk or thrift shops: the British Heart Foundation is a great hunting ground.
Such items also add individuality, says Kate Watson-Smyth of interior design consultancy Mad About The House. She adds, “Using vintage and antique pieces gives it a more personal feel.
‘It also saves old furniture from the landfill. Antiques are expensive, but eBay and Facebook Marketplace can be a source of cheap tables and chairs to sand or paint.’
Restoring old furniture? Instagram and YouTube have “how to” videos. But if you like the patina and character of an item, a good furniture polish like Bald’s Original Balm (£14.99) at Lakeland can polish up a piece without removing either one.
Hooray for Hollywood
If you think your home needs more glamour, that’s good news, because Art Deco and its wavy lines are back.
Instead of minimalist Scandi furniture with sharp edges, there is a new passion for the curvaceous, especially in sensual velvet.
The £975 Luna sofa from Oliver Bonas, the Tetbury (from £2,969) from Heal’s and Robert Dyas’ Duval £594.99 (robertdyas.co.uk) are examples of this look.
For something bigger, John Lewis has the five-seater Lozenge (from £1,699).
However, a single piece may be enough for some. Dunelm’s £199 Harper Drinks trolley has a golden age of Hollywood vibe, while Wayfair’s £80 Gatsby rug has Art Deco motifs in gold and grey.
Wayfair also offers the £95.99 Meilani bedside table and the £112.99 fanback Brough accent chair.
Whatever the latest interior fashion trends, one or two small changes can be enough for a room.