Handmade, Eco-Shick, and No Hype: Wall Decoration Trends

Over the past couple of years, the themes of the Maison & Objet exhibition have developed one and the same trend in interiors. In the age of digital boom, people are turning towards nature, and now their homes are islands of tranquility.

Let's take a look at why, for the first time in history, technological development has led to a reverse reaction: to the popularity of everything that is not related to mass production?

Alexander Ganakov - ARCHITECT. Member of the Designers' Union, author of six hotel projects from the Hilton network and other public and private interiors in Russia and Western Europe. Co-owner of the architectural bureau BÜRO8.

1. Craftsmanship in Everything

This trend is even reflected in the development of street food and craft beer, let alone interior design. Everything related to country styles, eco-shick, shabby chic, and loft is leading the way.

Responsible interior designers source materials from small manufacturers in Malaysia (raffia), India (fabric for saris), or Japan (vasi) – in countries where traditional handcraft has always been valued – and incorporate them into their products. The trend of 'silence and serenity' is about clean lines, simple forms.

2. Texture and Faux over Elaborate Shapes

Multi-layered forms are now replaced with water lily wallpapers or high-quality paint with carefully chosen colors. Design is reduced to tactile sensations. The main trend is restful interiors, with soft wear, whitewashed colors, cracks, knots. Nature in its natural and unique form.

The development of technology produces a secondary product – imitation of natural materials. It's cheaper than complex handmade production, but more expensive than mass-market options. The concept of modern luxury emerges. And that's the essence of eco-shick – modern luxurious minimalism.

Wallpaper from Omexco Graphite Collection

3. Luxury on Neutral Backgrounds

Asceticism is not always appropriate in interior design. There are zones where grandeur is needed. These are living rooms, representative offices. Here, classical patterns or Art Deco motifs are added to natural, almost artisanal design elements. Copper, bronze, and gold appear on simple smooth forms, while worn metal veneer is placed over cork plywood. Everything is delicate and understated.

4. Painting in Interiors

This trend is also connected with handmade work. It gives rise to watercolor prints, wallpapers with hand-drawn patterns, marker-scribbled designs, brush and roller marks, gradients, soft edges. Individuality and creative approach with its light carelessness are contrasted with cloned digital trends. They give our overloaded minds a break, allowing them to shift focus and contemplate.

Wallpaper from Tenue De Ville ODE Collection

Life Hacks

My main life hack in interior design is contrast everywhere: smooth vs. rough, glossy vs. matte, light vs. shadow, wood vs. glass, textile vs. metal. The key is that one element should dominate, while the other is less prominent. For example, one wall can be decorated with Abachi bark, and three walls painted. On the bark wall, add a smooth gypsum light fixture or on painted walls – a plant leaf-shaped lamp.

Second life hack – don't fall for hype. Don’t use overly obvious design tricks, such as tropical leaves of monsteras trending this year. Remember – mass-produced items evoke rejection.