The Top Design Trends in 2020, According to Designers
Top designers reveal the trends that are big on the home front this year—plus those worth saying goodbye to.
Infusing your spaces with what’s au courant can be tricky. While you always want your home to look chic, staying on top of the latest trends is a burden. To help us make sense of it all, we spoke with some of our favorite designers and architects about the home trends they're embracing this year and the styles they are leaving behind, from color palettes to furniture, even landscape design and beyond.
IN: Integrated Hardware
"A design trend I see for 2020 is fully integrated hardware. It conveys a minimal, seamless and sleek look while still offering a sense of design. The vertical lines of the hardware emulate molding lines, creating a calming and ordered visual effect." —Karen Williams of St Charles New York
OUT: Oversized Pulls
"I am finding that large, oversize handles and pulls look somewhat dated now. Old style refrigerator handles used on cabinetry and clunky painted hardware are being replaced by streamlined, integrated hardware." —Karen Williams of St Charles New York
IN: Floral Wallpaper
"Our clients are gravitating toward fresh interpretations of floral patterns, like Raoul Textiles’ Celeste linen, which we used in this bedroom to upholster the walls." —Caroline Rafferty of Caroline Rafferty Interiors
OUT: Geometric Prints
"1970s geometric prints have been replaced for the moment with more feminine Mario Buatta-esque chintz and granny-chic British florals." —Caroline Rafferty of Caroline Rafferty Interiors
IN: Environmentally-Friendly Fireplace
"We started incorporating environmentally-friendly fireplaces into many of our designs over the last few years. These models can be installed with tremendous ease and and no necessary ventilation. They can be integrated into built-in furniture, or used in conjunction with a marble fireplace surround. Many models are decorative, stand-alone pieces that can simply be plopped down in any room of the house."—Jenny Dina Kirschner of JDK Interiors
OUT: Conventional Wood Burning and Gas Fireplaces
"Conventional fireplaces require more maintenance and contribute to CO2 emissions. Eco-friendly alternatives don’t require ventilation so they’re easier and more cost-effective to install."—Jenny Dina Kirschner of JDK Interiors
IN: Kitchen Islands with Cantilevered Eat-In Area
"As many of us may have experienced, the kitchen regularly ends up being the hangout area of our homes. I designed this kitchen island with a natural stone countertop that drops down to dining table height via a cantilevered piece of matching stone. It not only looks beautiful, but it provides for more comfortable seating." —Jenny Dina Kirschner of JDK Interiors
OUT: Traditional Kitchen Island
"Traditional islands tend to be less comfortable to eat at, as they require counter height stools which are harder to maneuver and not as child-friendly. "—Jenny Dina Kirschner of JDK Interiors
IN: Grandmillennial Style
“As evidenced by the recent viral House Beautiful article, ‘Grandmillenial style’ is having its moment. The look is traditional design with a twist: blending elements of classic design like chinoiserie, scallops, natural fiber rugs, topiaries, and more, with a contemporary edge (think: modern art and clean lined furniture).” — Ariel Okin of Ariel Okin Interiors
OUT: Grey on Grey
“So much of the late 2010's was saturated in varying hues of grey—lately we're seeing a demand for warmer toned palettes and rich accent colors.” — Ariel Okin of Ariel Okin Interiors
IN: Bold Monochromatics
“Monochromatic does not have to be pale. Colors like Cobalt Blue, Kelly Green, or even Aubergine can evoke monochromatic in a daring way, that’s full of personality and elegance.” — Jonathan Rachman of Decorist
OUT: Pale Monochromatics
“The pale-colored monochromatic rooms (all in taupe or gray or white) with all the furniture, walls, floors and fabrics in the same pale color palette will be out in 2020. There’s something called ‘too safe,’ and while it may be soothing or calm, it can lack personality and excitement.” — Jonathan Rachman of Decorist
IN: Layering Old and New
“Our clients are over the ‘one-stop-shop’ design resources and are taking the design of their homes to the next level by getting comfortable with mixing and matching old and new and even purchasing locally made souvenirs while on their travels to help tell the story of who they are.” — Lauren Buxbaum Gordon of Nate Berkus Associates
OUT: Perfection
“People are opting toward living with pieces that are worn and have patina and don’t mind small scratches on 100-year-old stone. It makes them feel more at ease with how they function in their own homes because nothing is too precious.” — Lauren Buxbaum Gordon of Nate Berkus Associates
IN: Dark Painted Doors
“Painting an interior door in a rich color adds warmth and character to the space.Paired with great hardware, a dark door can provide an artistic element for the room. The personality exemplified by the color can be as fun as the stories of the people who walk through the door!” — Courtney Hill Fertitta of Courtney Hill Interiors
OUT: Standard White Doors and Trim
“Interior doors are typically painted in the standard white trim color, all matching. With this approach, we are missing an opportunity for a dramatic statement.” — Courtney Hill Fertitta of Courtney Hill Interiors
IN: Single Print Drama
“What could be more simple, yet incite more drama and style, than a room covered in the same print from floor to ceiling? Inspired by some of the overtly glamorous—and timelessly chic—spaces brought to life by design icons such as Gloria Vanderbilt and Lee Radziwill, today's bolder design enthusiasts are turning ‘Why didn't I think of that?’ into ‘I want to DO that!’” — Scot Meacham Wood of Decorist
OUT: Industrial Design
“The world is harsh and cold enough these days, so people are looking for spaces that nurture and envelope them. They want rooms that let them sink into the important things in life, and that doesn’t necessarily include Edison bulbs!" — Scot Meacham Wood of Decorist
IN: Antiqued Landscape Tapestries
“Tapestries are perfect as a focal point for a room. These beautiful Belgian verdure tapestries are inspired by idyllic landscapes and bring the beautiful colors of the outdoors to the inside of a home. Their muted palette of greens blues and neutrals provide the inspiration for the colors and textures of the entire room.” — Brooke & Steve Giannetti of Giannetti Home
OUT: Traditional Dining Table in The Kitchen
“These have been replaced by comfortable upholstered chairs and lower tables that are more conducive to hanging out. Reading lamps and a warm fire create a cozy space for family and friends.” — Brooke & Steve Giannetti of Giannetti Home
Lucia Tonelli is an Assistant Editor at Town & Country, where she writes about the royal family, culture, real estate, design, and more.
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