It is fun to keep a watch on the trends that emerge from the big industry players in the furniture business, and especially the Scandinavian and Mediterranean countries. There’s a lot of innovation right now and the designer furniture pieces soon trickle down to the mass market where everyone and their aunt will be able to find a piece with personality.
Our homes are changing, ie, they are no longer the same as the homes from the 1950s. We demand better things, though the average home is now much smaller – many of us now live in apartments that are half the size of our parents’ and grandparents’ homes. Many also choose to remain single so this has a big effect on the furniture choices we make.
Eco-living
One of the bigger international trends this season is anything to do with sustainable living. Tables, chairs, and sofas contain as much renewable material as possible. Many manufacturers also use recycled material to counter some of the effects of overconsumption.
Bamboo is a material that we will see more and more frequently, and especially in the kitchen due to its anti-bacterial properties.
A return to tradition
Television shows such as ‘Mad Men’ are prompting a return to tradition. We see this in clothing trends as well as in furniture trends. Another reason for this hankering after tradition is the Great Recession – we want security and comfort, something that granny’s old kitchen table used to do very effectively. This is why we are now able to buy furniture that evokes memories of granny’s dressing table and bedside table.
Beyond 2000
Modern minimalist furniture trends have been with us for longer than 50 years. The Japanese are the architects of minimalism and the west has been in love with it since we chanced upon Japan in the 16th century. A minimalist space makes it easier to clean as well as easier to find the car keys early on a Monday morning. It’s not only for the wealthy – regular people can find as much comfort in only buying the pieces they really love.
Leather returns
Well, it never went on vacation but we are finding new uses for leather. It’s not unusual to see a high chair with leather armrests. Leather sleigh beds are another new and innovative use for the material we all love to have around. We love leather because it ages well, it lasts long and it looks great, no matter what the age.