By Erik J. Martin, CTW Features
Want to keep up with the Joneses and prevent your home’s living spaces from getting stale? Give careful thought to interior design themes and aim to create a consistent statement in one or more rooms via elements like colors, textures, fabrics, furnishings and spatial layouts that harmonize with one another.
“Choosing an interior design theme for specific areas within your home can create a sense of togetherness. This way, the home has a holistic sense of harmony and flow that captures the personality and aesthetic of the homeowner,” says Katherine Cohen, associate creative director, and trends expert save the document at FLOR, a rug manufacturer.
Walter Jackson, a real estate agent with Dependable Homebuyers in Baltimore, agrees.
“Choosing an interior design theme and sticking to it is crucial, as it sets the tone and ambiance of a given room, area or entire home,” he says. “The right theme can enhance the functionality of a space, increase its aesthetic appeal, and create a cohesive look and feel throughout the room or area. Not having a consistent theme can result in a jarring and chaotic experience, making the home feel disjointed and uninviting.”
Artem Kropovinsky, head of Arsight, a team of interior designers in New York City, notes that a unified design motif can also give your home a more organized, airy, and luxurious appearance.
“It can improve both your own and your visitors’ moods,” adds Kropovinsky.
Ask the experts what interior design themes are currently in vogue, and you’ll get a myriad of responses.
“Take a close look at Mid-Century Modern. This theme is inspired by 1950s and 1960s styles and features sleek and simple elements,” Kropovinsky explains. “It has clean lines, organic shapes, wooden furnishings, neutral tones, and bright pops of color – making it suitable for living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, or any other space where you want both a retro and contemporary vibe.”
Another nostalgic-tinged theme trending today is called Hollywood Regency. Cohen notes that this is a product of the Golden Age of movies, intending to reflect the heady glitz and glam of the silver screen era.
“This luxurious style appeals to maximalists and remains an effervescent trend when designing interior spaces today. To capture this look, embrace layered, textured design elements, use vibrant colors and patterns with stark black-and-white contrast, and include a statement crystal chandelier synonymous with glamour,” she recommends, adding that Hollywood Regency is ideal for a living room, dining room or entertainment area.
Lee Crowder, national director of Design and Model Experience for Taylor Morrison in Scottsdale, Arizona, says if the pandemic proved anything it’s that people crave frequent social interaction, which helps explain the comeback of a popular alfresco design element nowadays.
“We are seeing more homeowners setting up inviting outdoor seating areas right in their front yards. Adding a few lounge chairs, a fire pit, and some café lighting, suddenly you have an incredible space you can enjoy while being outside with your loved ones,” continues Crowder. “This connection between inside and outside living can be added at the back, side, or front of a home.”
Jackson, meanwhile, points to Scandinavian, Industrial, and Modern Farmhouse as design themes that continue to remain popular.
“The Scandinavian theme is perfect for a bedroom or living area. It features a minimalist, bright, and airy look with clean lines, neutral colors, and natural materials,” he says. “An Industrial theme is perfect for the kitchen or dining room, with a focus on raw materials, metal and brick elements – creating a gritty and edgy ambiance. And the Modern Farmhouse look is a popular choice for living and dining areas, incorporating vintage or rustic elements, similar colors, and a cozy feel.”
Alternatively, ponder Dark Academia, a look seen in home libraries, dining areas and living rooms.
“Cozy, literary, moody maximalist, antique – these are just a few words you may associate with the ongoing interior and fashion trend known as Dark Academia,” Cohen says. “This theme encapsulates intellectuality and a passion for literature. Consumers express Dark Academia by using a darker or more neutral color palette with a mix of texture and depth.”
To better determine which design motif works best for your interiors, consider hiring a professional interior designer, who can help you pick or realize a theme more effectively.
“They can guide you through the process of planning, designing, and implementing your project according to your objective, budget, and timeline – while also helping you avoid expensive errors, saving time and stress, and achieving better results than if you did it yourself,” Kropovinsky advises.