IN Millcreek Spring 2020 | Page 60

4 INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2020 Don’t be caught with designs that were “so last decade.” Enter 2020 in style with some trends and tips that are leading the new decade, focused on comfort and sustainability with a touch of modern technologies. • TREND: Paint Colors of the Year – Each year, paint companies release their picks for colors of the year. Think pinks, greens, and blues for 2020, with rosy shades to update neutral walls and navy blues to create relaxing spaces. TIP: Before painting an entire room, paint a small part of the wall and watch how natural light falls during each part of the day. The sunlight will affect the colors you choose. • TREND: Sustainability in Design – Reusing materials in new designs isn’t a novel idea, but this year, designs are incorporating more materials that are perceived as humble, such as rattan, plywood, and jute. These types of materials can be recycled and are biodegradable, maximizing positive environmental impacts. TIP: Incorporate sustainable design trends like Wabi-Sabi, meaning perfectly imperfect, which encourages reimagining and loving the existing pieces you have in your home. Incorporating nature, something inherently imperfect, through wood, natural stones, and plants is an easy way to embrace Wabi-Sabi. • TREND: Wallpapered Walls – You may find yourself removing wallpaper, only to replace it with more wallpaper! Bold-patterned designs can create a statement wall, or busier patterns can be used to decorate a half bath. TIP: If you’re not sure you want to take the plunge into committing long term to wallpaper, try removable wallpaper. You can easily remove, reposition, and reuse it throughout your home. • TREND: Technology in the Home – Love it or hate it, technology will be ever-present in our homes; and with an increase in the opportunity for people to work from home, housing our technology has become a design opportunity. Large media consoles are becoming a thing of the past as technologies get smaller or completely digitized. Storage options are turning more display friendly (think open shelving) to act as another design element for your home. TIP: Personalize your spaces to your needs. Have a dining room but need a home office? Repurpose the space according to your needs. Add in a desk and a relaxed seating area, creating a comfortable, yet creative area for you to work. 58 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE THE GREAT ESCAPE – YOUR BATHROOM Though your bathroom may not spring to mind as the place to hold your next cocktail party, with the right accoutrements, your bath can be a great place to hang out and enjoy life. And if you live with family members, it may be the only place in your house where you can truly be alone for a bit. Besides just being a place to “get ready” to meet the day, it’s also a relaxing space to recharge your batteries after a long week at work. Hydrotherapy is one of the best ways to relieve stress and help tired, overworked muscles. With tons of specialized showerheads, you can have everything from the sprinkle of a gentle rain to an invigorating massage to bring your body back to center. And a nice relaxing bath in a soaker tub can make the world go away for a while. If a homeowner is just updating and not moving plumbing, heating ducts and electricity, the makeover can start at around $10,000. The choices for today’s bath are incredibly enticing. Many homeowners are opting for larger showers that will not only get you clean, but can also bathe you in LED lighting that changes colors to suit your mood. You can also enjoy your favorite music in the shower to either calm you down after a stressful day, or pep you up for the daily routine. Vanities and bath cabinetry have also arrived in the 21st century. Vanities are no longer empty-shell cabinets that open to a cavernous interior with little customization. Current options for drawers and cabinets include specialized areas for storing your blow dryer neatly away and stackable storage options for makeup. And while you’re standing in front of that vanity applying your makeup, you can watch TV in the mirror! New technology allows your favorite TV program Continued on page 60 >