Williamson discusses commercial interior trends

Elaine Williamson of Elaine Williamson Designs discusses the latest commercial interior design trends.

Interior design, like fashion, is as an ever-changing industry; styles, materials, furnishings and decor follow trends and seasons.

Good interior design will provide flexibility and scalability, allowing a home or business owner to remain current in his or her aesthetic.

For the past few decades, designers have purchased furniture that served one particular style purpose for a specific room.

This meant that as soon as the property owner or manager decided to redecorate a space, all new base furnishings had to be purchased.

Lately, however, it has become popular among designers to purchase a quality piece of furniture that has desirable, style-transcendent 'bones' with the intent to reupholster it as fashions change, rather than simply discarding it when it is time to update the look of a room.

This trend has resulted in an increase in purchases from domestically based manufacturers that make built-to-last furnishings.

Williamson advises home or business owners to avoid disposable decor.

Designers are no longer purchasing one-time-use 'disposable' decor items, be it furniture, rugs, window treatments or decorative items.

Instead, they consider a piece's reusability in another future design when considering a purchase.

This is the most efficient and cost-effective way to renovate a room.

In terms of colour, yellow and grey are now the most popular options.

Together, these colours add a level of calm to the feel of a room, while still adding eye-catching bursts of colour.

The grey, a neutral colour, works well as a base colour on upholstered furniture, particularly when coupled with espresso-stained wood.

This stain colour, which is claimed to be sleek and sophisticated, has realised a surge in popularity.

The yellow is best utilised in small bursts; for instance, a yellow throw pillow will work well on a grey sofa.

Lighting is currently making a huge push in the marketplace, according to Williamson.

As the design of table lamps has waned and the style of homes has begun to embrace cleaner lines, pendant and other types of overhead lighting are popular choices for making a design statement.

Natural wood floors are also making a comeback and other types of natural flooring, such as travertine, limestone and honed marbles, are in high demand.

Recyclable flooring, either in wood or carpet, is also said to be in fashion.

Currently, consumers are investing in their home environment and are seeking to upgrade responsibly.

Williamson is using natural gemstones in flooring as well.

Tiger's Eye, Sodalite, Malachite and Mother of Pearl are just a few of these new materials being used in flooring.

Wrought-iron outdoor furniture is said to be a thing of the past; instead, Williamson recommends a tufted white leather sofa for use outside.

Outdoor fire elements are also on trend this year.

Glass boxes with eco-friendly fire burn through the night in a fully furnished 'outdoor living room'.

Those searching for a new look for a room can build on the baseline furnishings already installed and switch out accessories, including pillows, picture frames, vases, candles, statues, artwork and other portable items.

This allows the homeowner to introduce fresh style elements as decor trends change, without having to change the entire composition of the space.

'Interior design and decor trends change with every season, but, with a strategic foundation of baseline elements such as furniture and flooring, you can easily keep up with the trends without sacrificing essential style elements of the space,' said Williamson.

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