Three possible future interior design trends

Ideally the best way to stay on top of interior design is to stay ahead of it.

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The thing about trends is that in order to stay trendy, you need to remain very much on top of things. The bandwagon is always moving forwards, and if you aren't on it then you're going to get left behind – unless you're trying to do something unique, of course, but that's another story entirely.

That said, ideally the best way to stay on top of interior design is to stay ahead of it. So if you're in the process of planning the next stage of your plans, consider these possible future trends.

The future of space

The future of space is one of the more interesting predictions at the moment. Architecture and design is in such constant motion that it's fascinating to see where we've come from, where we are now and then ponder where we might be going.

Already we can see a shift in the way cities are being constructed. Many places that once sprawled on for miles, such as Auckland, are beginning to change their tune and consider going upwards instead, leading to more skyscrapers and smaller apartments.

In fact, this is set to be a trend all the way towards 2020, according to a survey commissioned by the International Furnishings and Design Associated (IFDA). Respondents polled from around the world, including both America and Japan, believe that in five or six years more than 76 per cent of people will be living with less space. This accompanies belief that both traditional living rooms and dining rooms will disappear, instead being replaced by multipurpose spaces filled with modular furniture and high-tech equipment.

If you find yourself in one of these apartments, make sure you try and utilise bright, flat colours as features, as well as invest in multipurpose furniture.

The future of colour

So we will be living in smaller apartments with more functional furniture. But what colour should everything be?

For starters, Christos Prevezanos of Studio Preveza believes that pastels are going to become more popular. "I'll be looking back to the pastel palette of LA in the 80s," he told House Beautiful magazine.

That means subtle, muted colours that reflect a bright and colourful time. Think about soft pinks for your furniture and walls, such as Resene Floyd or – for the braver – Resene Glamour Puss, and add touches of neon.

You can also expect neutrals to play a bigger role, with grey being pitched as a more popular choice. Muted greys can create a relaxing atmosphere in the home, as well as complement and accent other colours extraordinarily well.

If you want to get truly quirky, try out a braver mixture of colours and geometric shapes. This also fits with the 80s theme, so bring in blocks of black and white stripes, throw in some sunny orange such as Resene Sorbus to create an all-day sunrise within the room, or even try out patterns with aqua and turquoise.

The future of themes

Lastly, to bring a house to life and give it a sense of character, consider sticking to a particular theme when you're designing.

People always say you should learn from history to predict the future, and the same can be said for interior design. Delving into the colours and stylings of the past can really breathe life into a project, giving a classy appeal to a shrinking space. Go Renaissance and try out beiges, plums and greens around your home, mixed in with a strong patterned Resene curtain.

Don't get bogged down by chrome and colourless steels, either, as mixing in some bronze and brass into your living space adds an extra layer of colour to the area. This accompanies velvety textures and tapestries brilliantly, offering a unique look to the room.

For 2015 and beyond, we can expect a more environmentally friendly approach to design, with natural themes of greens and wood colour entering the fray. Think about throwing more plant life into the melting pot, as well, including both pots and hanging baskets.

Colours mentioned in this article...

Colours marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, the testpots can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.