Fall 2019 Interior Design Trends: Part 1

As summer gradually transitions into fall, the bright colors of the changing leaves often inspires homeowners to redecorate. But there are so many options to consider – how do you know what’s on trend? Leave it to us: In this two-part series, we’ve gathered 29 interior design experts who are ready to share their tips on how to embrace the coziness of autumn without having to leave your home.

Refresh and Modernize

No need to reinvent the wheel; blogger Annette Vartanian suggests focusing on the accents and trusting tried and true designs – with an updated twist, of course.

• Earth Tones – Hues like terra cotta and pistachio will be trending in color, especially for wall color. They both naturally feel like fall and are a lighter alternative to the old jewel tones that are currently everywhere.
• Bouclé – I love this fabric, since it adds dramatic texture to a space. Even a simple sofa or chair will look luxe and cozy in this fabric. It’s a great way to add drama without bold prints.
• Floral Fabric & Wallpaper – Think of this as grandma’s favorite print, but refreshed and modernized. I love florals, especially for fall, since they bring in an organic and serene ambiance to a space. I especially love it for bedrooms and living rooms.
• Mixed Metal Accents – I think the era of matching all accent pieces so they are the same brass tone are long gone. I’m excited to see spaces where there’s a nice mix of chrome with brass and steel with copper. Just like we have fun mixing prints and colors, it’s time to mix metals.

Go All Natural

Whether it’s through an antiquated or modern approach, Create/Enjoy blog’s Suzannah Stanley says to embrace wood and other raw materials.

We’ve been seeing more natural, organic, artisan-made, and raw materials in 2019, and fall is a great season for more of that. I expect to see lots of wood pieces, warm tones, and vintage looks – the more patina and character, the better. Think antique wooden dough bowls on coffee tables, amber bottles, and pottery used in creative ways. I’ve been seeing more antiques in general this year, and I think that trend will continue to grow. Hit up estate sales in your area, as well as thrift stores and vintage shops, and look for large, high quality antique furniture pieces and oil paintings.

Another trend I love for fall and beyond is wooden and bamboo dish brushes and other utilitarian tools – much prettier than white or colorful plastic! Why not keep these functional items in the same aesthetic as the rest of your home? Store in a vintage glazed pottery dish or tray for an even more on-theme look.

Add a Little Extra Sparkle

Blogger Kyla Herbes recommends going for something bright and eye-catching.

• Mixed metals – I’m a brass lover for life, but lately I’ve been drawn to pewter. Yes, you read that right: Silver and chrome, baby. It gives a space that little extra sparkle, and when using it in unexpected places, it gives your space that extra wow factor. I just purchased a pewter-clad dresser for a bedroom makeover and I’ve paired it with brass and Lucite lamps – it’s a whole lotta glam.

Fierce Fall Trends

Not one for subtlety? Becky Marshall from Flipping the Flip says this season, it’s time to embrace what you love, full force.

This fall is seeing some robust trends heading our way! Neutral tones – which also include navy, black, and pale, smoky or sun-bleached colors – are front and center, offset by whites and off-whites. Toss in warm woods such as walnut for contrast and it’s a spot-on look!

Lots of 80’s shapes abound as well, bringing a hint of their nostalgic retro vibes along. Shiny, slick, smooth surfaces are popping up in furniture and accessories; so very 80’s. As such, texture is everywhere as a perfect foil.

Making it your own and adapting the trends into something that fits your individual style with big, bold art, pops of color, or making a fearless personal statement are definitely on trend this season. It’s going to be a fun fall!

Be Socially Aware

Worried about the state of the planet? Amy Cuker from down2earth Interior Design knows that it’s possible to be socially aware when making your interior design choices, and recommends doing just that.

I think a lot of people are concerned about the state of our planet. We need to consume certain resources if we want a comfortable environment, but homeowners and designers want to feel like we’re making choices that don’t come at the expense of future generations. While thinking in a sustainable way is not and should not be a design trend, the climate movement is picking up steam, and designers and furniture makers are getting on board. The design industry is broadening our definition of sustainability as well, beyond natural resource consumption to how we treat workers and everyone in the supply chain, and how we give back to the communities in which we operate.

On the product front, I’m seeing more and more products that use recycled material – tire rubber for flooring, copper engine coils for vanities, reclaimed wood for tables and desks, post-consumer porcelain for tiles, or recycled bottles turned into new glassware. We’re seeing more green roofs, and I’m working on my second project right now that has a green wall. The first green-wall project we did was in 2013, and that was for a zero net energy house. We thought that was cutting edge but now I’m actually hearing about net positive projects, where a building actually produces more energy than it uses.

Autumn in the Desert

The desert aesthetic isn’t slowing down, says Lori Dennis of Lori Dennis, Inc., and it’s best to embrace that with complex textures and an emphasis on comfort.

The desert vibe is still going strong. We continue to see the earthy colors of warm white sand, stone gray, and light woods. Look for natural elements for your accessories, like ceramics, pottery, crystals, and plants. A great way to bring in geometric southwest accents are in rugs, pillows, and blankets. Make it modern with black and white graphics and blue denim as a cool neutral. One change we see in this color palette is the sweet sunrise pink transitioning into a rich copper patina, making it a warmer color collection for the fall.

We're seeing a return to complex textures, especially saturated jewel-toned color velvets. We see these textures in wallpaper, fabrics, and surface materials like corduroy, caning, leatherette, faux suede, and faux fur.

Hygge is at the height of fashion, and even more as we move toward cooler months. It's warm, comfortable, and laid back with accessories like big knotty blankets, woven wicker baskets, and neutral plaids. This style invites you back indoors to grab a warm drink and to cuddle up on the sofa by flickering candlelight.

Homemaking Hygge

Pronounced “hoo-ga”, Hygge is a Danish word that embodies comfort and coziness; and that’s what Thou Swell’s Kevin Francis O’Gara says fall is all about.

I see fall design going in a lighter direction this year, with layers of off-whites and chic shades of cream replacing the crisper whites that have dominated the design landscape the past few years. I do think brass is here to stay, but this warm metal is going to show up with more patina instead of a bright, polished finish. Artwork is going large scale, and accent lighting, from picture lights to mini table lamps, is going to play a role in this transition to darker winter nights.

When it comes to textiles, velvet is one fall trend that you can count on year-to-year, so embrace this plush fabric in solids, stripes, and raised velvet patterns. Fall is a time for homemaking Hygge, so cozy up to the fireplace with extra throw pillows and blankets this season!

Bring out Your Character

Carrie Ypma of Ideas for the Home by Kenarry brings forward exciting design ideas that call on the involvement of everyone in the family.

This year, fall is all about warm, classic autumn colors. As you choose your fall décor, think rich reds, bright yellows, and vibrant oranges, like the changing colors of the trees. With the weather getting cooler, you’ll want to fill your home with rustic textures found in nature, like pinecone, acorns, straw or wheat, and faux fur. Then add cozy patterns like burlap, buffalo check, or plaid flannel for throw pillows, blankets, curtains, table runners, or placemats.

Finish off your space by using copper and gold décor accents for things like candle holders, lamps, and bowls – and of course include lots of traditional faux pumpkins. Think of creative ways to combine these elements together into a look that reflects your unique style and your family.

For example, to create a beautiful fall centerpiece, fill a hammered copper bowl with pine cones that you and your children collected on a nature hike, and place it on top of a burlap table runner on your dining room table. Surround the bowl with a collection of smaller, faux pumpkins make of dark wood, copper, bronze, or brushed metallic gold. Then, as we approach the Thanksgiving season, you and your kids can also bring in leaves that have fallen and use Sharpie markers to write something every day that you’re thankful for and sprinkle those along your table runner like large pieces of confetti. Have fun with it, get your family involved, and make it your own.

Find Comfort in Your Home

Sure, you can play around with colors and accents, but according to Danielle Driscoll of Finding Silver Pennies, it’s all about making your home a cozy escape.

• Dark Colors & Jeweled Hues on Walls and Furniture – Gone are the days of all-white spaces. I noticed the dark trend last fall when we painted our home office a gorgeous, moody blue-green (Seraphinite by Benjamin Moore). This trend is getting stronger. Benjamin Moore has a gorgeous line – Century Paints – which are highly saturated and make walls feel like buttery leather. Annie Sloan has announced tow brand new chalk paint colors this week, Oxford Navy and Athenian Black. Both chalk paint colors are dark and moody.
• Modern/Antique Mix – Antiques were on the downswing but I think they’re making a strong comeback, especially paired with more modern features and sleek designs.
• Cozy – Above all, cozy is coming in strong. Think velvet pillows and dark hues, tweed, woven baskets, and fireplaces to up reading beside. A trend is finding comfort in one’s own home, and also taking time to slow down away from social media.

Add Some Color

If painting or printed wallpaper are up your alley, Marilen Faustino-Montenegro of Marilen Styles says to go for it!

I wrote a blog post about this recently, [and] saw a few design trends for fall which prove worth mentioning. My favorites include colored kitchen cabinets in rich dark colors, like emerald, or more approachable colors like cornflower, which is a lovely shade of blue. Gone are the boring, white, glossy kitchen cabinets, as well as the all-American wooden cabinets of walnut or oak. We’re seeing an exciting kind of boldness when it comes to kitchen design, yet they remain warm and friendly, suitable for most homes.

Another noteworthy trend we are seeing is the use of printed wallpaper in modern but rich color. When used as an accent wall or the backdrop of some built in cabinets, they simply make a space look stunning. This design trend works with most design styles because it is to be used sparingly, made to fit into an exciting curation of different design elements and decor.

Celebrate the Human Element

The latest looks for fall 2019 blend sensorial comfort with craftsmanship for a new hybrid of Hygge, organic styling, and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi – the idea of celebrating the beauty of imperfection. This idea of the home as your sanctuary drives the latest home décor trends with the end goal of fostering serenity, a sense of stillness, and a better balance and boundaries with intrusive technology and our all-access, always-on lifestyles because we are so tech-tethered.

The current moment is about character expressed through craft, with handmade items in lieu of mass-produced material markers of luxury. The look favors asymmetry, authenticity, integrity of natural objects and processes, and simplicity over ornamentation and rich materials. Fueled by a renewed interest in the provenance of products [and] a reverence for craftsmanship and authenticity drives trends for all things artisan and handcrafted. Propelled by the “Makers Movement,” consumers are looking to curate and acquire one-of-a-kind and limited batch objects with an origin story. Whether it’s a collection of handwoven baskets, macramé wall hanging, ceramics vase, or craft-inspired artwork, decorative accessories that showcase the skill and talent of artisans are focal points in the latest living spaces. This trending design statement is sensorial with natural textures and imperfect, rough-hewn surfaces and materials accented with warm metals that radiate a soft glow in the room.

In kitchens, baths and laundry rooms, the classic gray-and-white color palettes continue to dominate décor, but accented with a mix of metals that add a touch of warmth to counterbalance the sleekness and modernity of stainless steel. I’m seeing a lot of brushed brass cabinet hardware paired with stainless steel faucets and appliances in kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. Other popular metal finishes include copper and rose gold.

Be Fearless and Purposeful

This fall, channel your desires and follow your heart; this is the best way to be on trend, says Linda Holt of Linda Holt Creative.

• Color – I see the use of color as a huge trend for fall. Many consumers are bored of the all-white rooms that have been all over Pinterest for the past few years. I especially see white kitchens moving toward color. Painted or wood tone cabinets are trending along with colorful back splash tiles. Rugs, fabrics, and wallpaper, as well as sofas and chairs, are being shown in rich, colorful fabrics. Blue is still popular but look for more emerald green, rich reds, yellows, and bright pinks. The days of white and neutral are slowly taking a back seat as consumers are embracing a colorful home to express their personality.
• Performance Fabrics – What was once a designer secret is now a main stream must have. Crypton, Sunbrella, Inside Outside, and Revolution are just a few of the fabric options for stain and fade resistant, indestructible furniture. Most live a more casual lifestyle today and nothing needs to be off limits for children, pets, or red-wine-drinking adults.
• Fearless Decorating – I see a new consumer who is embracing their unique personality and wants their home to reflect that. Today’s homeowners, especially the younger millennials, are mixing it up in home décor. Midcentury furniture mixed with boho carpets, vintage lighting and a few antiques throw in the mix. The decorating “rules” are being broken and rewritten as the emphasis is placed on individuality more than following a defined “look.”

It's an Indoor Season

With earlier sunsets and cooler weather, Jessica Wangelin of DecorAdventures recommends bringing the outdoors in, since that’s where you’ll be spending a lot of your time.

This fall, we’ll see a lot of deep saturated colors like dark greens and deep blues. These are perfect for the season that gets people back indoors and feeling cozy in their own spaces. Contrast is also still popular with a lot of black and white, and natural elements around like faux greenery, wood accents, and art that brings the outdoors in.

Wellness Lifestyle

It’s not all about aesthetics, says Stacey Lapuk of Stacey Lapuk Interiors; living a healthy life is becoming more important, too.

To be clear, I don't particularly believe in trends. A home is the largest investment one makes, and you shouldn't have to change out your design the way you change out your wardrobe - that could become quite expensive! That said, I think the biggest shift in design today is the informed implementation of elements that have been measurably proven to make a difference in your family's health and well-being.

Biophilic design is the science highlighting 14 specific patterns research has identified in nature that, when properly incorporated into your home, have been shown to decrease anxiety, lower cortisol levels, increase productivity, and increase creativity, among many other attributes. When you consider your favorite place to go, it's typically somewhere outside, right? The beach, or a walk in the woods, for example. Consciously introducing these patterns into the design of your home will have you feeling amazing.

Consider you're actually living in a 3-dimensional and living environment. Look to nature to furnish and design your space. Color combinations, scale and texture, even bird song, your view, and site-lines and airflow all play roles. What will YOU do to create for yourself the best home for your family?

Spruce Up Your Space

If you’re looking to bring in warmth and coziness, Megan Morris of MHM Professional Staging, LLC has some advice for you.

The fall season always makes us think of warmth and coziness, and we are excited to see how these elements are working their way into design trends. This year’s trends are all about bringing natural and earthy warmth into the home with soft and organic lines, natural wood and stone finishes, bold colors, and lots of texture.

Natural woods and stones bring a tremendous amount of warmth to a home and there are endless possibilities on how to implement these elements. We’re seeing wood finishes with a more muted and natural look on flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and even smaller accessories like vases & decorative accents. An excellent complement to natural woods is, of course, natural stone! The organic lines and veins add character and warmth to any space.

In addition to natural finishes, rich and earthy color tones are gaining popularity. Indigo and muted robin’s egg blues, mustard yellows, sage and forest greens, light, earthy browns and taupes, and more are great colors to bring into your space to add that perfect amount of warmth and character. As the all-white and minimalistic trends are fading, we’re seeing color come back in a big way: these earthy and moody colors can be implemented in kitchens, other cabinetry, wall paints, and décor accents like pillows, artwork, rugs, etc. Last but not least, one of the best, and sometimes easiest, ways to add warmth and coziness to any space is to bring in varying textures! Faux furs are continuing in their popularity, fabrics like linen and velvet, woven accents, and fall branches and simple greenery are the trending accents to spruce up any space this fall.