The latest design trends: Which ones will help sell your home?
Zebra kicks chevron look to the curb.
Every year, home design professionals flock to the hottest markets to preview the latest trends. I like to attend the Vegas one. Who wouldn’t?
Comprised of three large buildings, the market has a total of 30 floors to explore. Each is brimming with the latest in carpeting, art, furniture, lighting, and accessories. Only the industry’s fittest can survive this weeklong marathon, which includes design seminars, networking, an obscene amount of walking, and, of course, a cocktail party or two. To me, it’s design heaven. So, what’s trending this year:
First and foremost, gold is back
… Not brassy gold, circa 1970, but brushed gold used as accents.
Mixed metals
Look for gold, brass, and chrome paired together or with rustic or reclaimed materials.
Scandinavian style
I saw a blend of mid-century minimalism paired with soft textural weaves and simple rustic prints.
High-maintenance is out
From upholstery to window treatments, the demand is for comfortable, washable easy-to-live-with fabrics.
Solid hardwoods
From furniture to floors, solid hardwood is more popular than ever — especially reclaimed woods.
Zebra prints
This look is replacing the zigzag of chevron.
Design follows fashion
The colors on the runways of Paris, New York, London, and Milan will become must-have accents.
Gray period
Gray is holding strong as the preferred neutral, but …
Accents and wall colors
Indigo blue and blush are the new favorites.
A word of advice
While incorporating these luxurious design trends can be tempting, keep in mind that when we stage a home, our goal is to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. We wait until a trend is established, popular, and conveys a certain lifestyle before we use it in our home-staging designs.
When is a trend established? When you see it in the catalogs of the big retail stores like Williams-Sonoma Home or Pottery Barn.
So embrace the grays, indigoes, and creams, but wait on the gold accent lamps and zebra pillows — for now.
Kara Woods, an award-winning home staging and design professional who specializes in the luxury market, teaches at the Academy of Home Staging and serves as Northeast regional vice president of the Real Estate Stagers Association. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. Subscribe to the Globe’s free newsletter on real estate, home design, DIY, and more atpages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp.
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