These Are the Design Trends ELLE Decor Editors Loved in 2019
These Are the Design Trends ELLE Decor Editors Loved in 2019
It comes as no surprise that the people behind the pages of ELLE Decor have an opinion or two about 2019’s design trends. We live and breathe design and decor, coming across our fair share of the year’s design dreams—and its disasters. As we bid adieu to 2019—and say hello to a whole new decade—the ELLE Decor editorial staff takes a moment to reflect on the best trends of the past 365 days.
From bouclé to bar stools, kitchen colors and pattern play, read on for the design trends the ELLE Decor editors loved most this year.
1) Animal Prints
“I'm beyond excited to see the creative ways designers and brands are working with animal prints, ranging from leopard to eye-catching zebra patterns. It makes sense, since animal prints showed up on the runways this year, but I've noticed colorful iterations in the form of throw pillows, blankets, and even rugs—all perfect for making your home feel a bit more luxe.” — Monique Valeris, Home Decor Editor
2) Bar Stools With Backs
“I'm thrilled that many restaurants and bars are investing in their bar stools and choosing options that have backs to them. So many eateries today offer full dining menus in their bar areas and comfortable seating means people can properly enjoy the experience.” — Vanessa Lawrence, Senior Editor
3) Wooden High-Rises
“In September, I reported on the trend of international architects—including ED A-Listers Shigeru Ban and Sn?hetta—designing high-rises made of wood. Post-Industrial Revolution, the concept could immediately seem like a technological step backward. What's next? Supertall towers made of adobe? (That would be cool, actually.) The fact is that timber converts carbon dioxide into oxygen, so its use as a building material helps fight climate change. That...and a wooden exterior also happens to be beautiful. It's aesthetically more pleasing than the common skyscraper recipe of smoked glass and steel. And since smoking is prohibited in more and more buildings, what's there to worry about?” — Charles Curkin, Articles Editor
4) Marquetry
“Marquetry is such an interesting craft—the artisan painstakingly inlays small pieces of wood and other materials—to decorate furniture. I have seen this technique used for high-end watches like Cartier and Harry Winston, but I was happy to see it return to the home world in a furniture and accessories collection called Marquetry Mania by Lebanese designer, Nada Debs.” — Parker Larson, Style Director
5) Colorful Kitchens
“I love seeing so many more kitchens that embrace deep, rich color in the cabinets and accessories. I think over time people had been conditioned to make ‘safe’ choices because kitchens sell a house, but I’m bored by white cabinets and giant slabs of gray marble. I love seeing bright, personal spaces. The kind of kitchens I want to spend time in truly reflect the person who cooks (or eats takeout) in the space.” — Elizabeth Angell, Digital Director
6) Quilting
“With quilting making a comeback on the runway—from Prabal Gurung to 2019 LVMH Prize winner Emily Adams Bode—it isn’t surprising that home design is borrowing the idea back (get excited, grandmillenials). Schumacher’s Folk Art collection includes Tristan, a jacquard weave fabric that looks like your grandmother’s quilt.” — Ingrid Abramovitch, Executive Editor
7) Calming Color Palette
“This year, I’ve really focused on creating a serene space in my home, which means emphasizing natural light and implementing a calming color palette. An anxiety-free space also requires expert organization and order, so I’ve challenged myself to keep my home tidy and minimize clutter as much as possible. I’ve even become one of those people who stores food in airtight containers, so I can always see exactly what I have in my pantry to reduce waste. All of this has helped me maintain a happy and oh-so-serene home.” — Maggie Maloney, Associate Digital Editor
8) No Top Sheet
“Controversial as this may be, in 2019 I finally liberated myself from the constraints of having a top sheet. After reading several articles about the superfluousness of this bedding item, I began to question my own personal need for one. As someone who enjoys making their bed every day, there’s nothing more frustrating than wrangling a tangled and twisted sheet that, when in use, serves no real purpose. All I’ll say is, don’t knock it til you try it.” — Lucia Tonelli, Digital Editorial Assistant
9) Bouclé
“Bouclé is everywhere and I love it. The tactual fabric is the perfect blend of cozy and structured.” — Allie Adams, Deputy Design Director
10) Brown Furniture
“I’ve always loved brown furniture, but this year I liked seeing it make even more of a reemergence, as in designer Matthew Bees’ room at Kips Bay.” — Bebe Howorth, Contributing Special Projects Editor
Bouclé, marquetry, and animal prints galore.