Comfort is trending for 2019, a consensus of home decorators agree, with more people seeking warm colors, intimate spaces and a casual but sophisticated lifestyle.
Designers looking to pair physical coziness with emotional comfort forecast seven decor trends:
Scaled down furnishings - After years of favoring large furniture and open spaces, consumers are aiming for a 'nesting' environment and choosing smaller pieces arranged in more intimate settings.
Wall coverings - The return to traditionalism brings with it a return to wallpaper, fabric wall coverings and murals. Expect to see plenty of rich shades of green in fabric and wallpaper patterns.
Color changes - While blues and indigos have been huge in recent years, green is the new blue for 2019 and is likely to be used in everything from upholstery patterns to kitchen furnishings.
Color 'pops' - People are ditching beige minimalism in favor of fun colors, especially in family-friendly spaces. Yellow is the hottest color for small accent pieces - from ceramics to lamps to sofa pillows.
Warm woods and traditional styles - Antiques and even second-hand items are having their moment again, with consumers looking for skirted tables, wooden chests and other wood pieces with a sense of history.
Indoor and outdoor fireplaces - The coziness trend favors indoor fireplaces, working or not, with honey hearths as a nice spot to gather. Outdoors, fireplaces are preserving the joy of summertime barbecues.
Crafts and artisanal accents - In a world of increasing mass production, there has been a shift back to artisanal and boutique choices in pillows, wall hangings, quilts and other accent pieces all around the home.
By Barbara Pronin