Candy colours, high shine finishes and Boucle 2.0 are just some of the foremost trends that our experts who attended Salone Del Mobile during Milan Design Week last month expect to see influencing UK homes in coming months.
Salone del Mobile is one of the leading design events of the year and is a global benchmark for the furnishing and interiors sector – with exhibitors spanning the design world from Fendi, Missomi and Stella McCartney, to Kelly Hoppen and Phillipe Starck.
Here three interior experts from leading online retailers dissect the incoming trends, pick which design ideas will hit the ‘High Street’ and explain how to apply these looks in the home.
With comment from:
- Lucy Mather from Arighi Bianchi
- Daniel Prendergast from The Rug Seller
- Beth Pickford from Shabby
1. Candy Colours – from Barbie pink to bubblegum blue, there’s some sweet looks incoming
Daniel Prendergast, Design Director at The Rug Seller, unravels the latest colour trends:“While muted pastel palettes have been popular looks during the past couple of years – now it’s all about candy colours if the spectrum of shades on display in Milan are anything to go by. Think sugary sweet bright and electrifying pops of pinks, blues, yellows, oranges and green.”
Note – even Studio Berg’s new collection was called Candy and was a ‘must see’ attraction of the event.
“Whenever new colour trends start to come to the fore, like with those predicted at major fashion and design events, we always see this translate into online searches – as people look for cost effective and convenient ways to inject a new trend into their interiors.
“We’ve already seen demand for ‘Barbie pink’ increase with the anticipated release of the new film, and we expect to now see this boosted further on the back of the Candy Colours seen at Milan.
“Accessories are a great way to be experimental with colour – giving your home an instant uplift without breaking the bank. Let your floor do the talking – go big and bold with a statement rug in this season’s hottest colours.”
Clockwise from top: Turnabouts Rugs in Claret by Florence Broadhurst – from £389; Flamingo Rugs in Blue – from £149; Matrix Cuzzo Geometric Wool Rugs in Teal Blue – from £457.65; Passion Traditional Medallion Persian Rugs in Fuchsia – from £69.00 and Uteki Geometric Diamond Wool Rugs in Sunflower Yellow – from £225.00.
How cute are these 30 minute hour glass timers in three candy colours, just £10.80 each from Arighi Bianchi.
Even a simple lampshade glow up in these new colours can update a room’s décor.
2. Boucle 2.0, expect to see more and more colours
Boucle modular sofa at Salone Del Mobile
Lucy Mather, Interior Design Expert from luxury online homeware retailer Arighi Bianchi, reveals how the boucle trend for 2022/23 is evolving.
“Boucle may have been having a design moment for some time, but according to interior trends showcased at this year’s Salone del Mobile, this fabric is set to get even bigger during the second half of 2022 and well into 2023.
“Boucle is a great way to add cosy texture, curves and comfort to your interiors – but it’s not just limited to sofas and armchairs. We are seeing more and more uses for it throughout the home like in the dining room where it can add a textured, luxe finish to dining chairs for a grown up space that is sophisticated and cosy at the same time. Boucle was renowned for being championed by Chanel in the 1950’s and we love how a monochrome styled room can really replicates those Chanel-vibes.
“The beauty of boucle and is that it’s a look that will stand the test of time and work all year round – fresh and bright in the summer months and warm and cosy in the winter. One to watch for 2023 (and something we saw A LOT in Milan) is boucle branching out into deeper, stand out shades such as blue and burnt orange – achieve this look by adding pops of colour with boucle accessories to keep your home bang on trend.
Add a pop of boucle with these fabulous cushions, £31.50 from Arighi Bianchi.
Clockwise from top: Alexander & James Perry High Back Chair Armchair – £699; Angelica Chair – £525.00; Bellano Snuggler – £1,049.00; Boucle cushions – £31.50 Bellano Sofa – £1,699.00 and Bellano Snuggler – £1,049.00.
3. Furniture is getting ahead of the curve
“There were lots of curved sofas and chairs – well curved everything really, says Lucy Mather from Arighi Bianchi.”
Pictured above – curved interiors at Salone Del Mobile.
“In a similar vein to the boucle trend, our interiors have been getting more tactile, playful and fun. The injections of curves into our homes make it cosy and welcoming and offer an escape from the world – something that everyone is looking for from their interiors in 2022 and as such, this trend isn’t going anywhere.
“From statement sofas and chairs, to small accessories – there are so many ways that you can add a feminine finishing touch to your interiors. The world is your oyster.
Clockwise from left: Hipster Oval Mirror – £310.50; Light Brown Glass Storage Jar – £22.50; Delilah Curved Corner Sofa – £4,249.00 and Small White Marble Effect Tray – £17.10.
4. Mirrored and high shine finishes
Beth Pickford from online homeware retailer Shabby on the appeal of high shine in interiors.
“Reflective and high shine finishes were another key look that came out of Milan Design Week – with the re-imagination of Tom Dixon’s iconic mirror ball light into a dramatic chandelier and Phillipe Starks reinvention of Dior’s Medallion Chair into a high gloss aluminium masterpiece.
“As we head towards the Autumn/Winter expect to see more and more mirrored surfaces make their way into interiors. This trend might be unapologetic and ostentatious – but you don’t have to invest in designer pieces to get the look.
“Sculptural, statement mirrors were also huge in Milan and mirrors are a fantastic way of injecting the trend into your home without it looking overtly bling. Mirrors help to bounce light around the room as well as revealing different angles and reflecting your interiors back at you. A statement piece can easily and effectively add a brand new dimension to your space. If you’re looking to make some simple and cost effective home updates, a mirror should be at the top of your wish list.
“Taking inspiration from the Dior chair, high shine, glass and mirrored furniture is another way to achieve this look. These pieces will add light and brightness to your space – creating that refined, luxe look that is hugely popular in interiors right now. Choose a statement piece such as a coffee table, side table or sideboard and then soften the look with a deep pile rug, tactile sofa and luxe soft furnishings for a dramatic and glamourous interior scheme.”
Clockwise from top: Gold Petite Glass Console Table – £209.99; Round Mirror With Square Frame – £118.00; Art Deco Circle Mirrored Cabinet – £425.00 and Gold Hexagons Mirror – £115.00.
5. Cocktail tables
Lucy Mather, from luxury online homeware retailer Arighi Bianchi, explains how we’re shifting from coffee to cocktail when it comes to side tables
“The humble coffee table getting a glamourous makeover as a ‘cocktail table’. Similar to the resurgence of the drinks trolley, we are seeing cocktail tables become the must-have entertaining accessory of 2022.
“These tables are designed to look beautiful when nestled together and make a dramatic and often structural design statement when used individually. Ideal for grown up entertaining, they provide that perfect finishing touch to a design led, yet functional space.”
Beth Pickford from Shabby continues: “Curves, colour and granite were all seen in Milan – and this look is easy to achieve at home. Look for nests of tables with interesting shapes, luxe finishes and designer detailing to upgrade your table from coffee to cocktail!”
Clockwise from top – all from Arighi Bianchi: Carrera Coffee Table – £479.00; Ercol Originals Black Nest Of Tables – £695.00; Orlan Set Of 2 Coffee Tables – £1,119.00 and Vittorio Coffee Table Set Of 3 – £245.00
Clockwise from top – all from Shabby.co.uk: Luther Set of 2 Side Tables – £315.00; Acton Nesting Tables – £225.00; Bexley Side Tables – £210.00; Armelle Side Tables – £200.00 and Abigail Side Tables – £141.00.
6. Recycled fibres and sustainable materials were predictably a prominent feature at the show and are increasingly found in UK homes
Daniel Prendergast from The Rug Seller shares his experience of the rising popularity of recycled materials.
“Unsurprisingly sustainability continues to be a huge topic in interiors and as such products made using recycled and sustainable materials were a key focus of Milan Design Week – with environmental installations, upcycled showpieces and material innovations all on display throughout the various events.
“This messaging is very much filtering down from the design shows into consumer consciousness – we have seen searches for rugs made from natural and recycled fibres up 30% in 2022, with sales of sustainable products increasing year on year.
“From buying vintage or upcycled pieces, UK-made and locally sourced handcrafted items to products made using recycled or sustainable materials – there is an every increasing choice of environmentally conscious homeware available to homeowners, and over time these buying habits will increasingly become the norm.
“Choose a rug made from recycled fibres, natural materials or reimagined vintage pieces to add a sustainable finish to your interiors.”
Clockwise from top: Karma Recycled Bamboo Rugs in Nougat Brown by Massimo – from £703.00; Sarita Jute Boucle Fringe Rugs in Natural – £68.95; Karma Recycled Bamboo Rugs in Light Grey by Massimo – from £703.00; Zira Circular Jute Rugs in Natural – £269.00.
