In & Out: Trends in Interior Design 2017

Beginning of a new year is a suitable time to leave the old behind and move forward. Changes are also coming in the world of interior design: some trends will fade from the stage, others, on the contrary, will be in the spotlight. The professionals share their views – insider information right now in this post.

"Long live the 80s!"

According to decorator Zhenya Zhданova, the industrial style will go into the background, which is characterized by sharp forms and an abundance of metal. The 70s will remain at the peak of fashion for another 2–3 years. Soft enveloping materials in finishing (e.g., velvet), rounded contours of furniture fronts, large prints on wallpapers will remain relevant as before. And something more...

Decorator Zhenya Zhданova: "For some reason, I think that in the near future the world of interior design will be influenced by American Art Deco and Hollywood Regency with expensive finishes, mind-blowing color combinations. Long live the 80s!"

Design critic Olga Kosyrevа believes that the 50s style left fashion in 2016, mid-century modernism. Practical, convenient and calm style is no longer relevant but not forgotten: it becomes everyday and transitions to the category of eternal value. What about trends now?

Design critic Olga Kosyrevа: "Brazen style of the 70s-80s! Unusual combinations of forms, colors, materials, lounge furniture and dramatic diagonal patterns, fake marble and shiny lurex – all of this in living interiors will become more and more common".

"Marble, copper and gold have run their course"

However, not all professionals think that mid-century modernism is no longer relevant. Famous decorator Anna Muravina sees great potential in it.

Decorator Anna Muravina: "I believe that mid-century modern is only gaining momentum and has not yet reached its final stretch. As for trends with numerous imitations, marble, copper and gold have absolutely run their course already. Boldly say goodbye to them!"

Saying "No" to all kinds of imitations

Designer Nadya Zотова believes that one of the trends that remained in 2016 is imitation. Decorative tiles or wallpapers mimicking brick, wood and even metal are replaced by natural materials.

Designer Nadya Zотова: "Interior finishing becomes more logical and constructive, i.e., designers stop imitating styles in spaces where they are inappropriate. They refuse to use pseudo-lofts in panel buildings and overly decorated interiors in minimalist high-rises with panoramic windows".

Copper and pink gold are no longer in fashion

Designer and teacher of the International School of Design Elena Lazareva stands in solidarity with decorator Anna Muravina and advises to forget about copper and pink gold. Yes, they were in fashion all year 2016, but everyone is tired of them already. In 2017, it’s time to pay attention to something new.

Designer Elena Lazareva: "I want to particularly highlight the combination of incompatible ornaments in the new year. I constantly see this in trend collections and decorators' work. Geometric and floral patterns collide, abstract and historical ones".

Scandinavia VS New Retro

Designer Alena Yudina says that the trend for Scandinavian interiors, beloved by Generation Y with their white interiors and minimalist forms, is giving way to interiors with deep saturated tones and New Retro elements.

Designer Alena Yudina: "Don't fear color, experiment with geometric patterns and accentuate with brass. Prefer works of art on the walls – art is always in trend!"

Geometry VS Abstraction

Designer Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi believes that clients and designers have had enough of large geometric ornamentation – in 2017, print loses its strength. On the contrary, abstraction is gaining popularity. It's interesting, will interior styles still be relevant?

Olga-Kulikovskaya Eshbi: "Art Deco + comfortable minimalism. Pure Art Deco, like Eltham Palace, not just quotes – they hint at it. Look, simple-shaped tables are next to semi-circular sofas, and brass and onyx are frequent guests in the interior, but they don't overload the picture".

Greenery shade – an undeniable trend

What should we forget about? Imitation of brick masonry and "Ilyich" lightbulbs, which are used everywhere lately, believes art director and teacher of HSE Stepan Bugayev. And what to pay attention to?

Stepan Bugayev: "Greenery! The green shade, chosen as the 'pantone', will definitely be a trend. There were already many references to this natural color in 2016. Combined with the color of the year, the botanical theme will also be popular. Tropics, broad-leaved plants and other plant patterns".

Design: Stepan Bugayev

In the spotlight – new technologies

Managing partners of Matveyev Samoylov Concept Development (formerly Designet), interdisciplinary designers and researchers, RedDot Design Award winners Vladimir Samoylov and Alexander Matveyev do not follow the variety of small stylistic trends, but study how changes in culture and technology affect design. And most importantly – what opportunities they provide in creating new products and services. From this perspective, nothing notable left 2016. What came instead?

Vladimir Samoylov: "These are accessible augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies. What do they offer? The possibility of immersion in the user experience and interaction with digital models of products and buildings. And now is the best time for experiments and mastering them".

Virtual Reality Goggles, Google Cardboard Headset. Photo © Google